The brave new world of the Internet of Things (IoT) is upon us, promising both revolutionary innovation and unprecedented challenges. With its unique issues spanning the realms of everything from security to storage and networking, IoT requires careful analysis beyond the standard solutions. How quickly you address the immense amount of data to collect, analyze and archive will test the value of your solution. A recent article entitled “Storage and networking for the IoT,” by Cheryl Adams for ZDNet provided some valuable insight. As a result, we would like to share some specific considerations to take into account as you strategize your IoT storage and networking needs.
Multitasking across simultaneous data streams
As you build your solutions, the storage system you choose should be able to handle input from multiple devices. Once 5G networks arrive, expect to see an exponential increase in data streams from IoT networks. Data will be collected from a multitude of devices and will need the compute and I/O throughput that Intel Xeon Scalable based solutions deliver, to perform optimally.
Handling bandwidth for various data types
Given the nature of the world we live in and the desire to connect the unconnected, solutions should have the bandwidth to handle data streams of all types including video, audio, and images simultaneously. It's always best to consider the type of solution you’re dealing with to evaluate the need. For example, if it’s a security system receiving and transmitting surveillance footage, you will need systems in place that can handle large amounts of visual data, encryption and decryption, frequent data requests, and so on. Your solution may include edge servers with processing power to deliver analytics immediately to trigger action, while all data may be transmitted and stored for post-event analysis.
Easy retrieval
Not only should your data be easily retrieved, but you’ll want a solution that allows you to perform analytics on it. Consider the video surveillance example again. Someone approaches the door and the system knows to begin recording based on preset specifications, while at the same time the users may be alerted to activity. The user may then prompt the system to view the live and recorded footage. Remember the whole point of a connected world is to improve everything we do, make it more efficient and more interactive without delay.
Scalable and cost-effective
One ongoing issue with IoT networks is that they can accumulate data quickly and without much warning. Ensure your solution is built to scale. It should be able to scale rapidly to meet demand without sacrificing performance. With tiered storage strategies and hybrid clouds, you have options to meet your performance and cost goals as you address data load pressure.
Looking to turn your IoT ideas into reality?
As a value-added integration partner, UNICOM Engineering has the knowledge and partnerships to create best-fit IoT solutions. As industry leaders like Intel and Dell EMC pave the way with innovative technology, UNICOM Engineering is in lock-step leveraging these advancements to help IoT solution providers solve design and deployment challenges that shorten time-to-revenue. For more information, check out our white paper Plugging into the Internet of Things, and learn how to anticipate and overcome key IoT challenges. You can also visit www.unicomengineering.com or call us at 800-977-1010.