Guest Editorial: Special Issue on Integration of IoT with Future Internet

Abstract

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the terminology used for uniquely identifiable objects (or, things) and their virtual representations in an Internet-like structure. The idea of IoT considers same ubiquitous environment as that is for ubiquitous or pervasive computing. Basic difference between pervasive computing and IoT is that when the same setting is seen from the conceptual angle, it is termed pervasive environment but when seen from the angle of identifiable objects taking part in the system, it is called IoT, an Internet-like network of networks. IoT is often considered to be an integrated part of Future Internet. However, the conceptual definitions of these two, separate them in various ways. While IoT is clearly defined by this time, Future Internet is still standing as a cloudy term. Future Internet refers to a wide variety of research issues related to the idea of some kind of huge network of networks that can connect numerous networking devices around the globe. The objective is to get an Internet-like establishment but not in the way we have it today. Some new visions and ideas are sought for. If simply a relatively faster and larger Internet with new devices and technologies is brought forward at the end, it could end up just as an extension of the current Internet that we have. As the basic vision behind Future Internet is that it is not the Internet that we have seen so far, it may have a new way of operating, it may have a new method of connecting devices, and there might be even complete clean-slate approach of developing it. As the full operational definition is not yet finalized, there are numerous research issues that can be worked on. The objective of this special issue was to collate different thoughts of the researchers and practitioners on the relevant topics. Given current status, it could be said that any enhanced technology addressing database issues, security issues, networking issues, communications issues, artificial intelligence issues, software engineering related issues, and so on can be considered as the wide work space. However, we thought about getting some specific contributions on actual integration of IoT concept with Future Internet.