IoT gateways act as intermediaries that connect your devices to the cloud and manage everything from data security, connection protocols to edge computing.
IoT Gateways: A Guide to Connecting Things to the Cloud
As new products are continuously adopted worldwide, the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem is thriving. This technology offers incredible opportunities to optimize business processes, improve health and safety, and save time and money. However, integrating new and customized IoT solutions into a complex IoT environment can be a challenge. This is where IoT gateways play a crucial role in connecting traditional and next-generation devices to the internet.
Simply put, an IoT gateway is a virtual platform or physical device that serves as a wireless access portal, allowing IoT devices to access the internet. They perform various functions, including protocol conversion, device connectivity, data filtering, and security.
They integrate network protocols, manage data storage and edge analytics, and facilitate secure flows between network edge devices and the two most important cloud services.
Overview of the IoT Gateway Market
The surge in demand for personalized technology, coupled with increased adoption rates, will positively impact the growth of the IoT industry. Of course, the structure surrounding these networks is helping the IoT gateway market grow.
IoT Gateways: A Guide to Connecting Things to the Cloud
By 2026, the global IoT gateway market is expected to reach $24.786 billion, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.5%. From 2021 to 2026, edge deployments are expected to become a significant component in integrating IoT-connected devices and overcoming challenges related to internet connectivity with these devices.
As they provide access points between sensors or machines and other networks (such as cloud computing platforms), the demand for affordable gateways will grow.
IoT Gateways and Security: Challenges
Hacking is a constant risk for any connected device, but this risk can be mitigated by establishing good cybersecurity practices at the IoT gateway. Since gateways are the first line of defense against hackers, they should be designed with reliable cybersecurity.
IoT Gateways: A Guide to Connecting Things to the Cloud
IoT gateways sit between connected devices and the cloud; they reduce the number of internet connections, thereby lowering the overall risk of hacking. However, this also makes them targets for malware intrusions, increasing the vulnerabilities of the IoT ecosystem.
A simple IoT gateway connects to the cloud using Wi-Fi, but depending on usage, the system may operate in complex networks. IoT gateways can support communication protocols such as Z-Wave, Zigbee, BACnet, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).
They collect vast amounts of data from numerous devices and sensors. They process and send this data to cloud platforms. Some IoT gateways also allow for self-management of their connected devices by retrieving information from the cloud.
The main functions of IoT gateways are:
◆ Data visualization and analysis
◆ Networking and hosting real-time data
◆ Short-term historical data analysis
◆ Device configuration management
◆ Role-based user access authentication
◆ Caching, buffering, and data streaming
◆ Network security feature management
◆ Data preprocessing, cleaning, filtering, and optimization
◆ Device-to-device (D2D) or machine-to-machine (M2M) communication
◆ Connection and communication with traditional or non-internet-connected devices
The Use of IoT Gateways in Industrial Environments
IoT gateway devices are the backbone of many successful applications in enterprises. Industrial 4.0, healthcare, and automotive sectors leverage IoT gateways to manage essential functions such as network compatibility and security protocols.
They also help seamlessly connect IoT gadgets with their cloud services. Industrial IoT (IIoT) gateway devices manage:
◆ Network and device compatibility
◆ Security protocol configuration
◆ Connection of IoT devices to the cloud
IoT gateways are crucial for managing and securing IoT devices, but they can also help reduce an organization’s bandwidth consumption.
Collecting vast amounts of data from IoT devices can be problematic. If a company has numerous devices and sends all this information to cloud storage, it can deplete its internet bandwidth and increase costs.
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