IP Routing in the Internet of Things and M2M Networks

The Machine-to-Machine (M2M) environment is part of the Internet of Things and is defined as automated applications which involve machines or devices communicating without human intervention. These devices usually have telematic capabilities and can do on board processing. They are also be referred to as Smart Objects due to their ability to monitor and control the physical environment by collecting, processing, and analysing the data generated and then communicating that information to other machines/objects. Not surprisingly it is predicted that intelligent machines and everyday smart objects such as sensors, light bulbs, power meters, road signs and even garden sprinklers will grow the Internet device population by tens of billions in the next 10 years. Smart Objects usually operate in a highly constrained environment in terms of physical size, available memory, CPU power and battery life in addition to communicating over wireless and wired networks of potentially dubious quality. This type of operational environment throws up quite a number of networking challenges that traditional routing protocols cannot satisfy. This presentation covers enhancements and innovations that were necessary to allow Smart Objects to route information over IPv6 in the Internet Of Things and M2M networks.