Is Gateway-Less the Future of IoT Deployments?

As edge computing architecture becomes increasingly mature, Internet of Things devices won’t require a gateway to aggregate sensor data.

Written by Bill Kleyman
31st January 2020

Further, you’ll be able to process data faster at the edge and gain deeper insight into the information you’re gathering. And you’ll be able to integrate with other analytics or insights services that are already a part of that edge ecosystem. By exploiting a robust edge and 5G platform, you’ll be able to analyze data even faster as it’ll connected to a broader and faster network.

When we compare it to the list above, you’ll quickly note that edge and 5G can act as the new IoT Gateway, but at the edge. These systems are designed for:

Supporting connected devices and M2M communication
Are capable of advanced data ingestion and processing
Are designed to be secure for both data and the physical infrastructure
Will give you real-time access and control to your devices

However, as robust as an edge ecosystem can be, there are challenges some around the capabilities. Specifically, an IoT gateway might in some instances be less reliable in an edge architecture:

If you lose connectivity to your edge ecosystem, you might lose data, performance or even management capabilities until the connection returns.
You’ll lose offline support functions that enable you to continue to process and work with local data.
You might lose some security protection because connected devices have to go to the edge to connect. However, this is arguable, because good edge ecosystems are very secure.
Depending on your organization you might confront compliance issues surrounding the data. You might be prevented from sending certain types of data points outside your business.

Be sure to plan ahead and really understand the kinds of connected devices you have and how you’ll be interacting with the corresponding data.

IoT Designs of the Future

So, does the edge become the IoT gateway of the future? In many cases, this is true. But it’s hardly the end of IoT gateways. There will certainly be instances where local IoT gateways might be needed, like in situations of latency sensitivity. However, data security and integrity requirements may further necessitate the need for a localized way to process IoT data.

Edge maturity is a few years away. If you’re deploying an IoT solution make sure you cover your bases. You’ll need to understand latency and connectivity requirements as well as how you’ll be managing data and device communication. That said, understand just how powerful edge ecosystems are already and will be in the near future. Don’t shy away from an opportunity to test the edge as it can become an enabler for your business.