Here's how you can get ready for the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in your networks.

IoT devices are often super cheap designs for cost. Kids toys and printers are notoriously responsible for pulling down the rest of lower spectrum 2g. Use 2g at the ends of mesh wireless and toss junky old wireless devices. Then use higher spectrum 5g, 6g as backhaul or to provide service to newer devices. The higher the spectrum the higher speed with near LoS line of sight. Higher spectrum has distance and limited wall penetration. Always use wired Ethernet whenever possible. The cost of a Cat 6 wired installation is lower than the cost of poor performance over years and constant router upgrades to solve spectrum congestion.

When installing IoT in to your existing network or designing a new network to accomodate the new IoT devices you should look in to the hardware eg - NIC - WiFi bands - Bluetooth - IPv4 or IPv6 - Bandwidth (being IoT you can typically assume low bandwidth, but the connectivity method eg wired vs wireless may give them the opportunity to burst as required such as during upgrades)

Integrating IoT devices into network is both a technical and strategic challenge. First, evaluate your current infrastructure to ensure it can handle the increased data and connectivity demands. Assess performance metrics like data throughput and latency to spot any potential issues. Choose the right connectivity protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, LoRaWAN)based on your devices' specific needs. Additionally, plan for future growth and advancements in IoT technology to ensure your network can scale efficiently. This proactive approach ensures smooth integration and helps your organization fully benefit from IoT innovations.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is no longer a futuristic concept. It’s rapidly transforming industries and reshaping how businesses operate. IoT is a blanket term to describe smart devices that are internet enabled. One example is smart sensors monitoring production lines. Connected thermostats optimising energy consumption is another. IoT devices are weaving themselves into the fabric of modern business operations. But successfully deploying them on your existing network isn’t always easy. It can feel like navigating a maze. With your goals in mind, it’s time to choose your IoT for your business. You’ll want to look at both the devices and the infrastructure of the network.

If you don't control the IoT devices being installed on your network because your role is to provide a network that users/departments can join with ease then upgrading your network could be tricky. IoT devices are often cheaply built, low bandwidth NICs, weak WiFi bands, and overal older technology than say a laptop. The challenge here is running legacy support for longer. You may not be able to remove 2.4Ghz, you may not be able to implement NAC, your tooling may not be able to discover them. Audit all of the network devices and before you upgrade look at what devices are using older hardware. Test these on your new network before you upgrade.

Upgrading your network is essential to handle the extra load from IoT devices. This may involve replacing old hardware, increasing bandwidth, or using advanced technologies like Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize IoT traffic. Ensuring your network can manage the increased data flow without affecting existing services is crucial. By proactively upgrading, you ensure reliability and efficiency, supporting seamless operations and the growth of IoT devices.

Security is crucial when adding IoT devices to your network. Many of these devices lack strong security features and are vulnerable to cyberattacks. To protect your network, use firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and keep device firmware updated. Implement strong authentication protocols and consider separating IoT devices from critical network resources. Addressing these security issues protects sensitive data and strengthens your network against potential breaches, ensuring a secure IoT environment.

Just like anything in your network you will want to have visibility of what is happening. If you're in control of the IoT devices ensure you forward any logs to your centralised logging platform. Monitor the ports the devices connect to, and if wireless only ensure the traffic is monitored and captured from your wireless controllers. Two main things you're looking for: 1. IoT Devices going down/crashing 2. Total bandwidth of a collection of IoT devices eg a set of devices all upgrading at the same time consuming more bandwidth than you thought they would

Monitoring network traffic is essential to maintain performance and security once IoT devices are integrated. Use network monitoring tools to track data flow and spot any unusual activity that could indicate a security breach or performance issue. Setting up alerts for abnormal traffic patterns can help you respond quickly to potential threats or congestion, ensuring that your IoT devices function reliably.

Yap,integration of IoT at both design and functional phases is crucial coupled with continuous monitoring is a quantum leap.

In my experience connecting IoT devices to a network can be a tricky topic. In a network you're managing and can't control what is connecting you will find devices that work great on a single wireless router but don't on your network. The difference here is the IoT devices are designed/tested for a home network but when they connect to your network it may behave differently. Test as much as you can. If you're getting tickets about a device check the product details/hardware. If you can control what connects to your network set a minimum standard and have it endorsed through your relevant business units. If you cannot control do consider a 'not supported' approach in order to age out legacy IoT devices such as those only operating on IPv4.