ITEC FPX 5030 Assessment 3 IoT Home Device Network ITEC-FPX5030 Emerging Technologies

Prof. Name:

Date

Executive Summary

I conducted a hands-on lab using Cisco Packet Tracer to simulate an IoT home network and examined the application of UTAUT constructs for this technology. The analysis considered performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions as outlined by UTAUT. Additionally, I explored the Internet of Things (IoT), which includes various devices such as computers, smartphones, speakers, cars, kitchen appliances, cameras, health-related devices, and home garage door openers. These devices can be connected to the Internet and controlled through a central hub.

Introduction

In this lab, I explored the concept of the Internet of Things (IoT) by simulating a home network using Cisco Packet Tracer. The purpose was to understand how UTAUT constructs can serve as a framework for adopting emerging technologies. I also evaluated the feasibility and implementation requirements for establishing an IoT network.

Scope

The IoT enables the connection of devices to the Internet. Using Cisco Packet Tracer, I created a server and added a switch to connect various devices. A webcam and motion detector were connected to the switch, and I established a link so that the webcam would activate when the motion detector was triggered.

Objective

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. IoT comprises billions of connected devices worldwide, all of which collect and share data (Ranger, 2020). Successful IoT implementation requires sensors capable of generating information, which is then transmitted as necessary. For businesses, IoT provides benefits like agility and efficiency, depending on the specific implementation (Ranger, 2020). Technologies enabling IoT include low-cost sensors, connectivity, 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, as well as actual usage, especially in organizational contexts. UTAUT suggests that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence affect the behavioral intention to use a technology, while behavioral intention and facilitating conditions influence actual technology use (Venkatesh, Thong, & Xu, 2016). In the case of IoT, performance expectancy is met, as IoT aims to enhance performance with minimal human intervention.

Procedure

During the lab, I successfully connected a motion detector to a webcam. Both devices were linked so that the webcam would turn on when the motion detector was activated and turn off when deactivated. To achieve this, I used a switch to provide connectivity for all devices and a registration server. Following the video instructions, I chose a generic server and a switch, connecting them via traditional Ethernet copper straight-through cables. I repeated the process, connecting the webcam and motion detector to the switch using Ethernet cords. I labeled all ports and renamed devices to ensure clarity. After verifying layer three connectivity, I created an IoE account and logged in. Once the motion detector and webcam were connected to the registration server, I input the IP addresses for both devices. I configured an IoT network to enable communication between the two devices, creating a script with rules to turn off the webcam when no motion was detected. The lab was successful when I triggered the motion detector and observed the webcam turning on and off accordingly.

Troubleshooting

Designing and testing a new service can differ significantly from maintaining an established system. For example, services with heavy database writes will perform differently than those that mostly read from a database (Race, n.d.). New systems require extensive testing to ensure they meet the business’s needs and function as expected.

Conclusion

The IoT network is continuously evolving and expanding. This lab demonstrated that while IoT is a complex and rapidly developing technology, it offers practical solutions for both personal and professional use. Although IoT technologies are still somewhat fragmented, they are progressively streamlining operations worldwide. As IoT grows, it becomes increasingly essential across industries and in everyday life, with its implementation expanding exponentially.

References

Race, A. (n.d.). How to create highly effective performance tests. TechBeacon. Retrieved from