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Internet of things and cloud computing

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Table of Contents
Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 1
General overview ............................................................................................................................ 2
Statement ..................................................................................................................................... 2
Context/Framework ..................................................................................................................... 2
Justification/Argument ................................................................................................................ 3
Literature Review ........................................................................................................................ 3
Background ..................................................................................................................................... 4
Internet of Things and cloud computing issues .............................................................................. 6
Analysis of issues ............................................................................................................................ 6
Energy efficiency ........................................................................................................................ 6
Protocol support .......................................................................................................................... 7
Resource allocation ..................................................................................................................... 9
Reliability and availability ........................................................................................................ 10
Location of data storage ............................................................................................................ 12
Security and privacy .................................................................................................................. 13
IPv6 deployment ....................................................................................................................... 14
Interoperability and portability.................................................................................................. 16
Unnecessary communication of data......................................................................................... 17
Performance and bandwidth costs ............................................................................................. 18
Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 20
Personal recommendation ............................................................................................................. 23
References ..................................................................................................................................... 26

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Abstract
The rapid growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Cloud Computing during the last
decade has shifted the mode of operation of businesses and individuals to the next level –
ubiquitous computing and operation. However, this popular new mode of doing things faces
many challenges, which have seen it grow slowly than as aspired (Malik & Om 2017). IoT and
Cloud computing faces challenges in transmission of data, manipulation of data, power
management for the devices, resource allocation, IPv6 deployment, protocol compatibility,
unnecessary continuous communication of devices and insecurity issues. This research discusses
the background of IoT and cloud computing in detail, giving the modes of operation and the
types of networks used for communication (Hugos & Hulitzky 2011). This research study also
discusses the above named issues in details, giving recommendations on how businesses can deal
with these issues and ensure they have a high efficiency, secure and reliable ubiquitous mode of
operation ability.

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General overview
Statement
This research looks into the issues or challenges affecting the Internet of things (IoT) and
Cloud computing, which prevent the efficient and secure communication between devices,
storage of information, manipulation of information and access to information. It thus presents
solutions to the issues and recommendations that will enable for a faster, secure, efficient and
more collaborative networking between devices (Hugos & Hulitzky 2011).
This research also highlights the major downsides of cloud computing that have led to
slow uptake of this phenomenal technology. The lack of interoperability between service
providers, the lack of similarity in interfaces and difficulty in migrating from one service
provider to another are also discussed in depth (Malik & Om 2017). The lack of easy integration
between on premise applications, user defined applications and technologies with cloud-based
services has prevented many companies from adopting this technology (Aazam et al. 2014).
Network data usage, bandwidth costs, unnecessary transmission of data and poor
resource allocation across the network are also key challenges facing the IoT and cloud
computing. This essay discusses these challenges in detail, giving solutions and ways of
mitigating their effects (Li & Chen 2014).
Context/Framework
IoT and cloud computing is rapidly being used and applied in all sectors of the economy.
It has been incorporated in e-commerce, education sector, scientific discoveries and many other
sectors, making central to almost everybody and every organization globally (Malik & Om
2017). This rapid popularity and growth is associated with many challenges and shortcomings,
that need keen and immediate scrutiny and addressing to ensure that the service maintains high

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quality and reliability (Hugos & Hulitzky 2011). This essay looks into ways of improving the
efficiency, reliability, security, flexibility and accessibility of IoT and cloud computing.
Justification/Argument
The increasing benefits, need and use of IoT and cloud based services necessitates that all
the existent challenges and problems be researched in detail and addressed to ensure smooth
operation ability and use of these services (Hugos & Hulitzky 2011). Failure to address these
challenges and setbacks could lead to slow adoption of these technologies by businesses or users
opting out of the service.
The need for more secure transactions and systems is another pressing issue for the IoT
and cloud services. Insecurity of networks and IoT devices has posed many financial losses,
corruption of data integrity and breach of data confidentiality, which continues to be the main
problem facing IoT and cloud services (Aazam et al. 2014). As such researching into such issues
will help users as well as service providers to upgrade their policies
Literature Review
The literature review covers information from peer reviewed journal articles, masters and
doctoral research papers as well as books. The journal articles will help in understanding the
working of IoT and cloud computing, the protocols used in these services, the technologies used,
the underlying architectures as well as services offered (Hugos & Hulitzky 2011).
On the other hand, the books and doctoral research will help in understanding the
different challenges facing IoT and cloud computing, as well as the major concerns regarding the
use of IoT and cloud computing. The research will also help in discovering the correct standards,
procedures and configurations that need to be incorporated in IoT and cloud based services to
ensure there is high service reliability, security, efficiency and speed (Bhowmik 2014). Data

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analytics in the cloud service is another major area of concern since it enables companies to
make efficient and beneficial use of the data they collect. Data analytics ensures that the analysis
of such data gives beneficial conclusions, which help in the management and decision making in
businesses.
Background
The major components in IoT include sensors, actuators, people, services, networks and
platforms. There is need for all these devices to be configured and managed accordingly in order
to realize the highest efficiency and speed in data transmission (Hugos & Hulitzky 2011). On the
other hand, the major components of cloud computing include client cloud platforms, the
middleware, cloud networking and the cloud services offered.
In regard to sensors, the use of the selection of the communicating technology is the main
determinant of the efficiency and reliability of the communication network. IP based network
devices have the most reliable network coverage but faces high power usage of such devices,
which is a major challenge. The people involved in the IoT processes also need to be regulated,
each restricted to his or her level of operation. This ensures that there is high data confidentiality
and security, which is a key requirement in IoT and Cloud computing (Bhowmik 2014).
Concerning platforms, protocols and architectures, there is need for all network and device
developers to comply with standardized guidelines of development, to enable for easy
interoperability with other devices on the network. Using similar standards will also allow for
high efficiency of the devices and networks, which improves the Quality of Service (QoS) (Li &
Chen 2014).
On the other hand, the cloud uses many services: data as a service (DaaS), Development
as a service (DaaS), Platform as a service (PaaS), infrastructure as a service (IaaS) database as a

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service (DBaaS), and many others (Bhowmik 2014). The main problem here is that there are
increasingly more service types being discovered, making integration between protocols and
architectures difficult. The discovery of new services on the cloud also makes it difficult and
more complicated to manage and handle all the services as requested by the different services.
Standardization and formulation of user policies is key in ensuring that the service types,
maintained, and regulated (Li & Chen 2014).
The client clouds are also supposed to have the appropriate communication technologies,
the required configuration of devices and connection to high bandwidth network to ensure high
efficiency of data transmission. Poor selection of communication technologies and configuration
of user devices can lead to lack of interoperability and integration with other devices and
networks, barring users from using the internet efficiently.
Cloud networking and data analytics is another sensitive area when talking about cloud
computing. The cloud should enable for high level of communication and collaboration in the
cloud, to enable for seamless data exchanges between users and efficient data analytics that
enable for easy decision-making, based on trends and other results obtained from such data
(Aazam et al. 2014). Efficient cloud networking requires high bandwidth, high-level network
security and agile networks that allow for on-demand allocation of resources and space. The
cloud storage should also have the core values and virtues of storage including agility,
scalability, security, multi-tenancy and flexibility. This gives users high value for their money,
considering that cloud based services are highly priced. However, cloud service providers are
supposed to reduce their lock-in period and offer standardized interfaces that enable for his
interoperability with other cloud service providers, applications and devices.

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Internet of Things and cloud computing issues
❖ Energy efficiency
❖ Protocol support
❖ Resource allocation
❖ Reliability and availability
❖ Location of data storage
❖ Security and privacy
❖ IPv6 deployment
❖ Interoperability and portability
❖ Unnecessary communication of data
❖ Performance and bandwidth costs
Analysis of issues
Energy efficiency
The increasing use of mobile devices in the IoT and cloud computing has put pressure on
energy consumption of the devices. This is because data communication between the devices
consumes a lot of power. Many communicating nodes are sometimes forced to stay out of
communication due to lack of power. This is a big problem to organizations and businesses since
such outage can lead to tons of failed transactions or communication, which can have adverse
effects, especially in the corporate world. The sensor networks incorporated in the IoT also
consumer a lot of power, especially when encoding a video signal. This has equally put pressure
and limitations on businesses and individuals who might need to use the video option like in
videoconferencing or accessing video on demand.

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Video signals usually require high amount of power due to video encoding and decoding,
which is usually more complex as compared to the other signals. Video signals also consume
high bandwidth and memory on a device, thereby reducing the overall efficiency of the device.
For this reason, it is not advisable to power IoT and Cloud computing devices with temporary
power source like batteries, since this would require frequent replacement. It is advisable that
such devices be powered electrically with a permanent power source. It is also advisable that
businesses only use low power sensors to enable for low power usage and costs (Aazam et al.
2014). Means that could allow for adoption of solar energy, air power generation and vibration
are also beneficial ways of powering IoT devices to enable for reliable and cheap power source.
Apart from that, using sleep mode on the devices during operation can help in saving
power to enable for low cost power. The development of smart homes, smart cities, smart
marketing through use of smart devices has also put pressure on power usage and consumption.
Since smart devices are self-operational, using reliable power sources is mandatory. Power
outage during communication, sending of data or other important activity could result in
immense damages and problems. There is need to adopt low power technologies and use solar
power to enable for low power costs and reliability when using the smart devices. The adoption
of smart devices and robots in the various sensitive sectors like health and e-commerce also puts
a lot of pressure on the power usage of devices (Hugos & Hulitzky 2011). Such devices are
supposed to use low power technologies and use alternative power sources like solar or
electromagnetism to help in saving power costs.
Protocol support
IoT and cloud computing entail the use of various protocols in order for the different
devices to communicate across the network. Sensors and devices have different protocols for

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use. As an example, sensors use the routing protocols like ZigBee, WirelessHART and
6LOWPAN whereas devices use the Internet Protocol (IP) stack, which has a layered
architecture (Hugos & Hulitzky 2011). As such, finding a standardized protocol structure for the
sensor networks as well as the communicating devices is vital in achieving efficient and reliable
communication.
Protocols compatibility is a major issue in IoT and cloud computing because of the
gateways device, which might not support some of the used protocols. As such, there is need to
ensure that protocols used in the sensor networks and devices are compatible and enable for the
highest efficiency in communication. Apart from that, the communication technology used in the
IP communication channels usually consume a lot of power, which is a major challenge when
using the IP stack. The recommended low cost communication technologies include Bluetooth,
Near Field Communication (NFC) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). However, these
technologies are usually short range, serving few users and up to a few meters.
Protocol support is also a major issue considering the new innovative services and
technologies that need to be incorporated in IoT and cloud computing. This then makes
standardization of a better, low power devices-protocol mandatory in realizing improved service
and reliability. There is also need to research for a low power communication technology, which
will help in reducing the power consumption rate of IP devices.
When looking at protocol support as an issue, the gateway device and the sensor
technology used are of great essence. The gateway must use widely accepted protocols in order
to enable communication with all the connecting devices. The sensor technology used should
also support low power consumption to enable for reliable and efficient communication.

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The compatibility of IPv6 and IPv4 is also a major issue when considering IP
connections. After over ten years of integration attempts, scientists have not found the best and
most efficient way of making IPv6 and IPv4 compatible (Hugos & Hulitzky 2011). This also
causes challenges in the communication channel where different communicating devices use
different protocol versions to communicate. As such, there is need to come up with the best
integrating technology that will ensure seamless collaboration and communication between the
two versions of IP. Adoption of the Low Power Wide-Area Networks (LPWAN) has also proved
effective when used for the low bit-rate communication technologies (Hugos & Hulitzky 2011).
Resource allocation
The increasing diversity and number of connecting devices on the IoT and cloud
computing is making it more difficult to find the best and most efficient resource allocation
algorithm or program. This is because the various devices use different technologies and
protocols, which have different requirements and utilization rate of network resources. The use
of different sensor technologies across the IoT has also made it tricky to know how much
resources each technology requires. A device or technology might be allocated many resources
and space, only to find out later that it is a low bandwidth and low space technology. Such a
scenario leads to poor utilization of resources on the network, which requires adoption of an
efficient resource allocation algorithm.
Apart from that, the IoT and cloud computing require innovation of a smart gateway
device that will be able to assess the resource requests of the different devices on a network and
determine exactly how much of the network resources are required by a device. Such a smart
gateway can also help to investigate if a node is requesting network resources and data for
fraudulent reasons or as a hacking attempt. In addition, such a gateway device will help in

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preventing deadlock scenarios in the allocation of resources, which can affects the efficiency of a
network connection. The smart gateway device should also have the capability to asses and
identify when a device is utilizing excessive resources, thereby regulating such devices to
comply with the network fair use policies.
Resource allocation is usually affected by many factors: the sensor technology, the
protocols used, the data generation frequency, the type of data and the amount of data. The
configuration standards used also affects resource utilization. The best strategy to deal with this
problem is to map of the requirements of a communicating node, probably by first sending a
sample packet to a new communicating node.
Reliability and availability
The IoT and cloud computing still face many challenges that impede them from offering
availability and reliability on a 24/7 7 days a week basis. This outage in service or accessibility
has led to its slow adoption across businesses and among individuals (Bhowmik 2014). The
incorporation of different third party tools and application in the communication sequence and
series has also proved to be unreliable since the break down or inefficiency of such tools and
applications can cause service outage, which affects the reliability and efficiency of the services
offered though IoT and cloud computing.
The use of old IoT applications, technologies, protocols and devices also puts l...