"Careers in Information Technology: Internet of Things (IoT) Developer": GoodMan, #1

By Patrick Mukosha

In "Careers in Information Technology: Internet of Things (IoT) Developer," readers are guided through the dynamic and evolving world of IoT, exploring the exciting opportunities and challenges that come with being at the forefront of technological innovation. This comprehensive guide is crafted for IT enthusiasts, aspiring developers, and seasoned professionals seeking a deep dive into the realm of IoT development.

 

The book begins with a foundational understanding of the Internet of Things, elucidating how interconnected devices are shaping the future of technology. Readers are introduced to the core concepts, architectures, and protocols that underpin IoT ecosystems, providing a solid framework for the subsequent exploration of IoT development careers.

 

The author delves into the skill sets required to thrive as an IoT developer, covering programming languages, data analytics, security, and cloud computing. Practical insights are shared through real-world examples, case studies, and interviews with successful IoT developers, offering invaluable guidance on navigating the diverse landscape of IoT projects.

 

A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the role of IoT developers in various industries, emphasizing the impact of IoT on sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, smart cities, and agriculture. Readers gain insights into the unique challenges and opportunities each industry presents, enabling them to tailor their skill sets to meet specific demands.

 

Addressing the ever-changing nature of technology, the book explores emerging trends in IoT, including edge computing, artificial intelligence integration, and the rise of 5G. It equips readers with the foresight to adapt and stay relevant in an industry that is continuously evolving.

 

In addition to technical expertise, the author highlights the importance of soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, and collaboration. Practical advice on building a successful career in IoT development is provided, covering topics like professional networking, continuous learning, and personal branding.

 

"Careers in Information Technology: Internet of Things (IoT) Developer" serves as a roadmap for individuals aspiring to embark on a fulfilling career in IoT development or enhance their existing skill sets. Whether readers are newcomers to the field or seasoned professionals seeking a career shift, this book offers a comprehensive and insightful guide to navigating the exciting and rapidly expanding world of IoT.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Patrick Mukosha
• Release date: Feb 7, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224503322

Patrick Mukosha

Patrick Mukosha is an ICT & Management Consultant. With 15+ years of IT experience, he's passionate about all things ICT. He also loves to bring ICT down to a level that everyone can understand. His works have been quoted on Academia by Researchers and ICT Practitioners (www.academia.edu). He has a PHD and MBA from AIU, USA, BSc(Hons) ICT, UEA, UK, Dipl, CCT, UK. He's a founder of PatWest Technologies.

Book preview

Chapter 1: Introduction to Internet of Things

1.1.  What is Internet?

The Internet, also known as the "internet," is a global system of interconnected computer networks that communicates with one another and with devices using the Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP). A wide range of electrical, wireless, and optical networking technologies connect the private, public, academic, corporate, and government networks in this network of networks, which spans local to global boundaries. Email, phone calls, file sharing, and the World Wide Web's (WWW) interconnected hypertext pages and applications are just a few of the many information resources and services available over the Internet.

The 1960s saw the development of packet switching and research to allow for the sharing of computer resources over time, which is where the Internet got its start. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) of the US Department of Defense, working with academic institutions and researchers nationwide as well as in the UK and France, commissioned research and development in the 1970s that resulted in the set of guidelines (communication protocols) that allow internetworking on the Internet.

In order to facilitate resource sharing, the ARPANET originally functioned as the backbone connecting local academic and military networks around the United States. Worldwide participation in the development of new networking technologies and the merging of multiple networks using DARPA's Internet protocol suite was encouraged by the funding of the National Science Foundation Network as a new backbone in the 1980s, as well as by private funding for other commercial extensions. The transition to the modern Internet began with the early 1990s linking of commercial networks and enterprises and the introduction of the World Wide Web. This led to a steady exponential growth as successive generations of institutional, personal, and mobile computers were connected to the network.

The Internet has reshaped, redefined, or even completely replaced the majority of traditional communication media, including the telephone, radio, television, paper mail, and newspapers. In its place, new services like email, Internet telephone, Internet television, online music, digital newspapers, and websites that stream videos have emerged. Print media including books, newspapers, and other publications have either changed to become online news aggregators, blogs, and web feeds, or they have adapted to the technology of websites.

Through social networking sites, Internet forums, and instant messaging, the Internet has facilitated and expedited the development of new kinds of interpersonal communication. Due to the fact that it allows companies to expand their brick and mortar presence in order to serve a bigger market or even to sell goods and services exclusively online, online shopping has become extremely popular among major retailers, small businesses, and entrepreneurs. Online financial and business-to-business services have an impact on supply chains that span whole industries.

Every component network on the Internet establishes its own policies; there is no one, centralized governance for technological implementation or access and usage regulations.  The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a maintenance organization, oversees the broad definitions of the two primary name spaces on the Internet: The Domain Name System (DNS) and the Internet Protocol address (IP address) space. The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), a non-profit organization of loosely associated multinational participants that anyone may associate with by giving technical skills, is responsible for the standardization and technical foundation of the basic protocols. The Internet made it onto USA Today's list of the New Seven Wonders in November 2006.

1.2.  History of the Internet?

The Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) of the US Department of Defense was entrusted with building a strong, dependable communication network that could withstand a nuclear assault during the Cold War in the 1960s. In order to prevent a Single Point of Failure (SPoF), this new communication network needed to be decentralized and have redundancy, which would allow information to be diverted instantly in the event that network operations were disrupted.

The tale of the Internet's history is intricate and multidimensional, spanning multiple decades.

Here's a quick rundown of the major developments:

1.2.1.  1960s: The Birth of ARPANET:

Funded by the US Department of Defense's Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) served as the forerunner to the contemporary Internet.

Four significant research universities—UC Santa Barbara, UCLA, Stanford, and the University of Utah—were connected by the ARPANET when it was founded in 1969.

1.2.2.  1970s: Email and TCP/IP:

The Internet Protocol (IP) and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) were created to standardize communication across various computer networks. This served as the basis for the current Internet.

The first email was sent by Ray Tomlinson in 1971, marking a critical turning point in communication technology.

1.2.3.  1980s: World Wide Web (WWW) and Domain Name System (DNS)

In 1983, the Domain Name System was launched, making the process of allocating distinctive names to IP addresses more straightforward.

The World Wide Web (WWW) was envisaged in 1989 by British computer scientist Sir Tim Berners-Lee at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research).

1.2.4.  1990s: Popularization and Commercialization

The Internet changed from being mostly a military and academic network to one that was more widely used by the general public and businesses.

The development of web browsers, such Mosaic and later Netscape, made it simpler for users to browse and retrieve content from the World Wide Web.

1.2.5.  2000s: Social Media and Broadband

Faster data transfer made possible by the widespread use of broadband internet connections allowed multimedia content to flourish.

With the emergence of social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, communication and information sharing have changed.

1.2.6.  2010s: Cloud Computing and Mobile Internet

Mobile internet usage surged as a result of people using smartphones and other mobile devices more frequently.

With the advent of cloud computing, users were able to store and retrieve data from a distance.

1.2.7.  5G and The Internet of Things (IoT) In The Present and Future

The Internet of Things (IoT) has become more popular, allowing commonplace devices and things to be connected to the internet for improved functioning.

With the advent of 5G networks, internet connections should be quicker and more dependable, opening up new avenues for technology, entertainment, and communication.

Note: The Internet has developed over time from a research project to a worldwide network that has a significant impact on education, business, communication, and other facets of contemporary life.

1.3.  Introduction to the Internet of Things?

Devices containing sensors, processing power, software, and other technologies that connect to other devices and systems over the Internet or other communications networks to exchange data are referred to as Internet of things, or IoT devices. Electronics, communication, and computer science and engineering are all included in the Internet of things. The term internet of things has been deemed misleading since gadgets merely need to be individually addressable and connected to a network, not the whole internet.

The discipline has changed as a result of the confluence of several technologies, such as machine learning, ubiquitous computing, commodity sensors, and increasingly potent embedded systems. The Internet of things is made possible by the earlier domains of embedded systems, wireless sensor networks, control systems, automation (including automation of homes and buildings), and automation both separately and together.

IoT technology is most commonly associated with "Smart Home" products in the consumer market. These products include lighting fixtures, thermostats, cameras, home security systems, and other appliances that support one or more common ecosystems and can be controlled by devices that are part of that ecosystem, like smart speakers and smartphones. Systems in the healthcare industry also leverage IoT.

Numerous industry and governmental initiatives have been made in response to worries about the risks associated with the expansion of IoT technologies and products, particularly in the areas of privacy and security. These initiatives include the creation of national and international standards, guidelines, and regulatory frameworks.

1.4.  How the Internet of Things Works

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP) form the core of the Internet of Things. The foundation for connecting sensors, gadgets, and systems to the Internet and one another is provided by these guidelines and standards. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Bluetooth, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, 5G and LTE cellular networks, and Near Field Communication (NFC) are just a few of the wired and wireless networks that the Internet of Things uses to process data from the devices and convey the information.

IoT devices usually connect to edge devices or IoT gateways that gather data. Data is fed into and out of cloud computing environments, where it is processed and stored. By ensuring that the data can be shared and gets to the right thing, a wide range of networking standards help to link the digital and physical realms.

There are two primary categories of connected devices: Physical-First and Digital-First. The former includes tools and equipment including jet engines, smartphones, streaming media players, mobile payment terminals, and agricultural combines that are particularly made with built-in connectivity. Digital-first devices produce data and use Machine-To-Machine (M2M) communications to exchange information with other equipment. Physical-first gadgets are things like sensors or microchips that can communicate.

A chip that is installed after a product has built, for instance, can make a key chain, car, or hospital medical gadget usable and trackable again. A more detailed spectrum of interaction is used by some observers to categorize items; instead of two, there are five categories: pure digital, digital first, dual usage, physical first, and pure device (without any digital capabilities).

The Internet of Things (IoT) enables people and systems to share information via social media and other internet channels, watch and manage events from a distance, and communicate with one another via mobile devices and other systems,