I'd like to start learning the modern paradigm of IoT and Cloud. My first impression is that they are "empty words" without a precise meaning: you can fill the "word" as you want. I want to start from a real simple application. I have some Internet-connected embedded boards that I want to control by remote with my smartphone connected to Internet. At first I wanted to connect the smartphone directly to the remote node, but I think this isn't the good and modern approach. You need to implement a server in the node and you need to have a free channel to the server (usually the server running in the node can't be contacted from the outside, except you change configurations of network devices). For sure it's simpler to have a client on the remote node that connects to a Cloud server. Even the smartphone connect to the Cloud server. I think most of those kind of systems use HTTP/HTTPS as the protocol to transfer data. Now the big question. I know I can create myself the Cloud server, but I think there are many ready-to-use solutions. Do you suggest something? At the moment I want to experiment only, so I have only 1-10 nodes with just a few data. However I'd like to study flexible solutions that are ready to upgrade in the future to more nodes and more data. Are there some Cloud services available for embedded platforms (IoT)? They should have a simple API to implement in the node.
Cloud? IoT? How to start
Started by ●March 23, 2017
Reply by ●March 23, 20172017-03-23
In article <ob09tq$qj2$1@dont-email.me>, pozzugno@gmail.com says... [snip]> Are there some Cloud services available for embedded platforms (IoT)? > They should have a simple API to implement in the node.IFTTT? MQTT? Are those the kinds of things you're looking for?
Reply by ●March 24, 20172017-03-24
In article <ob09tq$qj2$1@dont-email.me>, pozzugno@gmail.com says...> > I'd like to start learning the modern paradigm of IoT and Cloud. My > first impression is that they are "empty words" without a precise > meaning: you can fill the "word" as you want. > > I want to start from a real simple application. > I have some Internet-connected embedded boards that I want to control by > remote with my smartphone connected to Internet. >Before you go ANY further read this short article and think about security first http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2017/03/16/maker_of_hackable_smart_ vibrator_will_pay_3_5_million_settlement_to_users.html?utm_content=inf_ 10_2641_2&wpsrc=socialedge&tse_id=INF_56152ff00e6e11e79b1a07d5f3e08d7d Yes it is a long link but in some ways it is funny IoT and Cloud is just naming some random collection of protocols that have existed before. There is a cartoon/meme you can find out there "There is no cloud it is just somebody else's computer" Which is why I refer to IoT as LoT (Lawyer of Things) -- Paul Carpenter | paul@pcserviceselectronics.co.uk <http://www.pcserviceselectronics.co.uk/> PC Services <http://www.pcserviceselectronics.co.uk/LogicCell/> Logic Gates Education <http://www.pcserviceselectronics.co.uk/pi/> Raspberry Pi Add-ons <http://www.pcserviceselectronics.co.uk/fonts/> Timing Diagram Font <http://www.badweb.org.uk/> For those web sites you hate
Reply by ●March 24, 20172017-03-24
On 2017-03-23, pozz <pozzugno@gmail.com> wrote:> I'd like to start learning the modern paradigm of IoT and Cloud.IoT: Take a bunch of small devices with no need for internet access. Add internet access with tons of security holes. Set up some dodgy web sites and write some broken smartphone apps to talk to the "things". Cloud: Put all your data on somebody else's computer and let _them_ lose it.> My first impression is that they are "empty words" without a precise > meaning: you can fill the "word" as you want.-- Grant Edwards grant.b.edwards Yow! I have many CHARTS at and DIAGRAMS.. gmail.com
Reply by ●March 24, 20172017-03-24
pozz <pozzugno@gmail.com> wrote:> I'd like to start learning the modern paradigm of IoT and Cloud. My > first impression is that they are "empty words" without a precise > meaning: you can fill the "word" as you want.Is this 'learn' as in 'understand how all the layers work' or 'learn' as in 'pick tool X and learn its API'? In the former case I suggest installing a VM system, eg Xen, KVM, HyperV or ESXi, and then spinning up some VMs on that. Then, proceed to play with some of the containerisation and high availability tools on top of your VM(s). All of this is hidden behind APIs like AWS and App Engine. You can pick those up by jumping in at their API level, but it helps to understand what is going on underneath them. In particular, the API is typically vendor-specific - fine if you don't mind being tied to that vendor, less good if you want to pick the right tool for each job. If this is a product, maybe picking a platform is the way to go to make progress fast - but you should expect to throw the initial version away as you learn what the platform does and doesn't allow you to do. For the specific case of IoT, the field is still developing; that means there are no 'obvious' front runners as far as services go - it also means that anyone you pick has a risk they shutter the project when they go bust or move onto the next thing. That's why there's something to be said for building your own - if you have the skills. Of course, your customers are still at risk that /you/ go bust. Theo
Reply by ●March 25, 20172017-03-25
On Fri, 24 Mar 2017 11:29:59 -0700, Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:>Does your automobile *need* a radio? heater? etc.?Many cars *do* need the radio ... to perform ignition key/fob code verification. Pull the stereo in the new car and see if it still starts 8-). For many autos, an after-market stereo upgrade has to leave the old unit connected, powered, and buried in the dash because removing it disables the vehicle. George
Reply by ●March 25, 20172017-03-25
"George Neuner" <gneuner2@comcast.net> wrote in message news:gpmbdc57jg7fb5h8l4t83794ldit2jg450@4ax.com...> On Fri, 24 Mar 2017 11:29:59 -0700, Don Y > <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote: > >>Does your automobile *need* a radio? heater? etc.? > > Many cars *do* need the radio ... to perform ignition key/fob code > verification. Pull the stereo in the new car and see if it still > starts 8-).you know of a new car that has a stereo that will pull out? tim
Reply by ●March 25, 20172017-03-25
On 3/24/2017 8:03 PM, George Neuner wrote:> On Fri, 24 Mar 2017 11:29:59 -0700, Don Y > <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote: > >> Does your automobile *need* a radio? heater? etc.? > > Many cars *do* need the radio ... to perform ignition key/fob code > verification. Pull the stereo in the new car and see if it still > starts 8-).I'm not sure *where* the hardware and software functionality for the fob-related features resides (haven't purchased a workshop manual, yet; I've been forbidden from tinkering with it until the warranty expires! :> ). I know there are near-field sensors in each of the driver/passenger doors (approximately) as it will only unlock the corresponding door if *a* fob is sensed in its proximity (I think 37 inches?) as the handle is touched. I assume the same driver-side fob-sensor is used to enable the ignition. I.e., with both of us in the front seat, roughly equidistant from the START button and each carrying a fob, it recognizes which of us is actually *in* the driver's seat and selects that driver's profile (seat position, mirror settings, GPS/phone/stereo settings, etc.) Likewise, rear hatch won't raise unless a fob similarly detected, there. "Remote" function will work over reasonably long distances (a block or so?). And, "dead battery fallback" only operates within an inch or two of the START button. Don't know if the Sirius "upgrade" is a hardware upgrade, software upgrade or just a bit that enables a feature. Of course, AM/FM require a real radio. GPS obviously does, as well. As does the "concierge" service (or whatever it is called). And, the BT link to the phone. Hard to imagine *all* of those using a shared set of hardware. (E.g., I'd imagine there's more than just an "antenna" in each door sensor; easier to ship a packet of digital data to something that decides whether or not to unlock the doors)> For many autos, an after-market stereo upgrade has to leave the old > unit connected, powered, and buried in the dash because removing it > disables the vehicle.On earlier vintage of this model, the radio/stereo could be *replaced*. Lots of online docs about locating the "code" to enable the radio's functionality (anti-theft). You'd think that if it disabled the car from starting, the questions would be ""I removed my stereo and now my car won't start..."
Reply by ●March 25, 20172017-03-25
Don Y wrote:> On 3/24/2017 7:41 AM, Grant Edwards wrote: >> On 2017-03-23, pozz <pozzugno@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> I'd like to start learning the modern paradigm of IoT and Cloud. >> >> IoT: >> >> Take a bunch of small devices with no need for internet access. >> Add > > IoT doesn't require access to The Internet. Remember, *an* internet > just refers to them being able to talk (i.e., to each other). >It's generally clearer to refer to "an inTRAnet".> As to whether they *need* that ability... that depends on the > functionality you want to give them. Does your automobile *need* a > radio? heater? etc.? >IoT is largely "control things with your phone". That doesn't necessarily mean using the larger Internet but it's semi-implied that it does. Somewhere around the third person who uses it will expect that. <snip>>>> My first impression is that they are "empty words" without a >>> precise meaning: you can fill the "word" as you want. > >Yep. -- Les Cargill
Reply by ●March 25, 20172017-03-25
On 3/25/2017 10:55 AM, Les Cargill wrote:> Don Y wrote: >> On 3/24/2017 7:41 AM, Grant Edwards wrote: >>> On 2017-03-23, pozz <pozzugno@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>>> I'd like to start learning the modern paradigm of IoT and Cloud. >>> >>> IoT: >>> >>> Take a bunch of small devices with no need for internet access. >>> Add >> >> IoT doesn't require access to The Internet. Remember, *an* internet >> just refers to them being able to talk (i.e., to each other). > > It's generally clearer to refer to "an inTRAnet".The Internet is AN internet. What you call an intranet is likewise. Would you say IoT was an acronym for Intranet-of-Things? *And* Internet-of-Things? (i.e., the important aspect is that the devices are internetworked, not that they can talk to The Internet.>> As to whether they *need* that ability... that depends on the >> functionality you want to give them. Does your automobile *need* a >> radio? heater? etc.? > > IoT is largely "control things with your phone". That doesn't > necessarily mean using the larger Internet but it's semi-implied that > it does. Somewhere around the third person who uses it will expect > that.No, that's just how it is currently marketed. How do you "control" your refrigerator with your phone? It may, however, monitor what you've placed in and removed from it. Or, let you visually examine its contents without opening the door. But, none of that requires The Internet. Or, a phone. I pretty much have more IoT kit, here, than most homes in the country. Yet, I don't rely on The Internet for *any* of it! (OTOH, I can access and control most of it using a voice channel via the PSTN)> <snip> >>>> My first impression is that they are "empty words" without a >>>> precise meaning: you can fill the "word" as you want. > > Yep.