Introduction to the Internet of Things
Before we can begin to see the importance of the Internet of Things (IoT), it is first necessary to understand the differences between the Internet and the World Wide Web (or Web)—terms that are often used interchangeably. The Internet is the physical layer or network made up of switches, routers, and other equipment. Its primary function is to transport information from one point to another quickly, reliably, and securely. The Web, on the other hand, is an application layer that operates on top of the Internet. Its primary role is to provide an interface that makes the information flowing across the Internet usable.
By comparison, the Internet has been on a steady path of development and improvement, but arguably hasn’t changed much. In this context, IoT becomes immensely important because it is the first real evolution of the Internet—a leap that will lead to revolutionary applications that have the potential to dramatically improve the way people live, learn, work, and entertain themselves. Already, IoT has made the Internet sensory (temperature, pressure, vibration, light, moisture, stress), allowing us to become more proactive and less reactive. Figure 7-1 provides an overview of Cisco’s IoT portfolio.
Figure 7-1 An overview of Cisco’s IoT portfolio
As the planet’s population continues to increase, it becomes even more important for people to become stewards of the earth and its resources. In addition, people desire to live healthy, fulfilling, and comfortable lives for themselves, their families, and those they care about. By combining the ability of the next evolution of the Internet (IoT) to sense, collect, transmit, analyze, and distribute data on a massive scale with the way people process information, humanity will have the knowledge and wisdom it needs not only to survive, but to thrive in the coming months, years, decades, and centuries.
The sheer size and variety of data traversing today’s networks are increasing exponentially. This highly distributed data is generated by a wide range of cloud and enterprise applications, websites, social media, computers, smartphones, sensors, cameras, and much more—all coming in different formats and protocols. IoT contributes significantly to this rising volume, often by generating a high frequency of relatively small amounts of data.
How Do OT and IT Differ?
Operational technology (OT) is the hardware and software that monitors and controls devices, processes, and infrastructure, and it’s used in industrial settings. IT combines technologies for networking, information processing, enterprise data centers, and cloud systems. OT devices control the physical world, while IT systems manage data and applications.
IT is the technology backbone of any organization. It’s necessary for monitoring, managing, and securing core functions such as email, finance, human resources (HR), and other applications in the data center and cloud.
OT is for connecting, monitoring, managing, and securing an organization’s industrial operations. Businesses engaged in activities such as manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, utilities, and transportation, among many others, rely heavily on OT. Robots, industrial control systems (ICS), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and computer numerical control (CNC) are examples of OT.
Operational technology can also be found in warehouses and outdoor areas such as parking lots and highways. Some OT examples include ATMs and kiosks, connected buses, trains, and service fleets, weather stations, and systems that allow a city to manage chargers for electric vehicles.
The key difference between IT and OT is that IT is centered on an organization’s frontend informational activities, while OT is focused on the backend production (machines).
OT and IT network infrastructures have similar elements, such as switches, routers, and wireless technology. Therefore, OT networks can benefit from the rigor and experience that IT has built over the years with common network management and security controls to build a solid network foundation.
However, there are key differences:
• Form factor: OT network devices come in smaller and modularized form factors so they can be mounted in different ways, such as on rails, walls, or light poles, in cars, or even embedded within other equipment.
• Hardening: OT network infrastructure may need to be ruggedized when deployed in severe industrial conditions. The infrastructure must be resistant to shock, vibration, water, extreme temperatures, and corrosive air and chemicals.
• Network interfaces: Depending on their purpose, OT devices may support networks such as LoraWAN or WiSun to connect industrial IoT (IIoT) devices.
• Protocols: OT network devices connect IoT sensors and machines, which run communications protocols that are not commonly used in traditional IT networks. Therefore, industrial networking products must support a wide variety of protocols such as Modbus, Profinet, and Common Industrial Protocol (CIP).