ITEC FPX 5030 Assessment 3 IoT Home Device Network

Student Name

Capella University

ITEC-FPX5030 Emerging Technologies

Prof. Name

Date

Executive Summary

In this study, I engaged in a practical lab utilizing Cisco Packet Tracer to simulate an Internet of Things (IoT) home network. The analysis incorporated the UTAUT constructs, specifically performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions. Additionally, I investigated the IoT ecosystem, which encompasses various devices, including computers, smartphones, speakers, vehicles, kitchen appliances, cameras, health-related devices, and garage door openers. These devices can connect to the Internet and be controlled through a centralized hub.

Introduction

The objective of this lab was to delve into the Internet of Things (IoT) by simulating a home network with Cisco Packet Tracer. This exercise aimed to understand how the UTAUT constructs can serve as a framework for the adoption of emerging technologies. Furthermore, I assessed the feasibility and requirements for implementing an IoT network.

Scope

The IoT facilitates the interconnection of devices through the Internet. Within Cisco Packet Tracer, I established a server and incorporated a switch to connect various devices. I connected a webcam and a motion detector to the switch and configured a system whereby the webcam would activate upon detection of motion by the motion sensor.

Key Concept	Description
Definition of IoT	The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a network of physical objects embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies that enable them to connect and exchange data over the Internet. It consists of billions of connected devices globally, all designed to collect and share data (Ranger, 2020).
Benefits of IoT	IoT implementation can provide businesses with agility and efficiency, depending on the specific use case (Ranger, 2020). Technologies that enable IoT include low-cost sensors, connectivity options, cloud computing platforms, machine learning, analytics, and conversational artificial intelligence.
UTAUT Model	The UTAUT model identifies four primary factors: performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions, along with four moderators: age, gender, experience, and voluntariness. These components predict behavioral intentions and actual technology usage, particularly within organizational settings (Venkatesh, Thong, & Xu, 2016).

Objective

The Internet of Things (IoT) encompasses a vast array of physical devices equipped with sensors and technologies, enabling them to connect to and exchange data over the Internet. Successful IoT implementation necessitates sensors capable of generating actionable information, which is subsequently transmitted as needed. The potential advantages of IoT for businesses include enhanced agility and operational efficiency, depending on the specific implementation context (Ranger, 2020). Key enabling technologies for IoT comprise low-cost sensors, connectivity infrastructure, cloud computing platforms, machine learning, analytics, and conversational artificial intelligence.

The UTAUT model identifies four key factors—performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions—along with four moderators: age, gender, experience, and voluntariness. These factors help predict behavioral intention to use a technology and actual usage, particularly in organizational contexts. The UTAUT framework posits that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence affect behavioral intention to use technology, while behavioral intention and facilitating conditions influence actual technology use (Venkatesh, Thong, & Xu, 2016). In the context of IoT, performance expectancy is notably fulfilled, as IoT is designed to improve performance with minimal human intervention.

Procedure

During the lab exercise, I successfully connected a motion detector to a webcam. These devices were configured such that the webcam would activate when the motion detector was triggered and deactivate when motion was no longer detected. To establish this setup, I utilized a switch to ensure connectivity among all devices and a registration server. Following video instructions, I selected a generic server and a switch, linking them with traditional Ethernet copper straight-through cables. I repeated the connection process by attaching the webcam and motion detector to the switch using Ethernet cables. To maintain clarity, I labeled all ports and renamed the devices accordingly.

After confirming layer three connectivity, I created an IoE account and logged in. Once the motion detector and webcam were registered on the server, I entered the respective IP addresses for both devices. I configured an IoT network to enable communication between the devices and established a script with rules to deactivate the webcam when no motion was detected. The lab was deemed successful when the motion detector was triggered, resulting in the webcam operating as intended.

Troubleshooting

The design and testing of a new service can vary significantly from the maintenance of an existing system. For instance, services characterized by heavy database writes may perform differently than those that primarily read from a database (Race, n.d.). New systems necessitate comprehensive testing to ensure they fulfill the needs of the business and operate as expected.

Conclusion

The IoT network continues to evolve and expand rapidly. This lab illustrated that while IoT represents a complex and developing technology, it provides practical solutions for both personal and professional applications. Although IoT technologies remain somewhat fragmented, they are gradually streamlining operations on a global scale. As IoT technology advances, its importance across various industries and in daily life is increasingly evident, with implementation rates soaring.

References

Race, A. (n.d.). How to create highly effective performance tests. TechBeacon. Retrieved from https://techbeacon.com/app-dev-testing/how-create-highly-effective-performance-tests

Ranger, S. (2020, February 03). What is the IoT? Everything you need to know about the Internet of Things right now. ZDNet. Retrieved from https://www.zdnet.com/article/what-is-the-internet-of-things-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-iot-right-now/