IoT Testing
What is Internet of Things (IoT)?
The Internet of Things popularly known as IoT is a network of devices, vehicles, buildings or any other connected electronic devices. This interconnection facilitates collection and exchange data. This technology allows the user to control devices remotely over a network.
The 4 common components of an IoT system are
- Sensor
- Application
- Network
- Data Center
What is IoT Testing?
IoT testing is a type of testing IoT devices. Today there is a demand to deliver better and faster services. There is a huge demand to access, create, use and share data from any device. The thrust is to provide greater insight and control, over various interconnected IoT devices. Hence, IoT testing is important.
Types of Testing in IoT
Usability Testing:
There are many devices with a variety of shapes and configurations used by the users. Even the perception varies from one to the other. Hence checking the usability of a system is crucial.
Compatibility Testing:
There are lots of devices that can be connected through the IoT system. These devices have different software and hardware configuration. Therefore, a possible combination is more. As a result, checking the compatibility in the IoT system becomes important.
Reliability and Scalability Testing:
Reliability and Scalability are important for building an IoT test environment that involves simulation of sensors by utilizing virtualization tools and technologies.
Data Integrity Testing:
It’s important to check the Data integrity in IoT testing as it involves a large amount of data and its application.
Security testing:
In the IoT environment, there are millions of users accessing a massive amount of data. Thus, it is important to validate user authentication, have data privacy controls as part of security testing.
Performance Testing:
Performance testing is important to create a strategic approach for developing and implementing an IoT testing plan.
Technology used in IoT
Following are the most used technologies in IoT:
- RFID (Radio Frequency Code) tags and EPC (Electronic Product Code)
- NFC (Near Field Communication) is used to enable two-way interactions between electronic devices. This is basically for smartphones and is mostly used to do the contactless payment transactions.
- Bluetooth: This is used where short-range communications are enough to get away with the problem. This is mostly used in wearable technologies.
- Z-Wave: This is a low power RF comm technology. This is primarily used for home automation, lamp controlling, etc.
- WiFi: This is the most commonly used choice for IoT. When on a LAN, this helps in transferring files, data and messages seamlessly.
IOT Testing Process: Example Test Conditions
- Components Validation
- Device Hardware
- Embedded Software
- Cloud infrastructure
- Network Connectivity
- Third-party software
- Sensor Testing
- Command Testing
- Data format testing
- Robustness Testing
- Safety testing
2. Function Validation
- Basic device Testing
- Testing between IoT devices
- Error Handling
- Valid Calculation
3. Conditioning Validation
- Manual Conditioning
- Automated Conditioning
- Conditioning profiles
4. Performance Validation
- Data transmit Frequency
- Multiple request handing
- Synchronization
- Interrupt testing
- Device performance
- Consistency validation
5. Security and Data Validation
- Validate data packets
- Verify data loses or corrupt packets
- Data encryption/decryption
- Data values
- Users Roles and Responsibility & its Usage Pattern
6. Gateway Validation
- Cloud interface testing
- Device to cloud protocol testing
- Latency testing
7. Analytics Validation
- Sensor data analytics checking
- IoT system operational analytics
- System filter analytics
- Rules verification
8. Communication Validation
- Interoperability
- M2M or Device to Device
- Broadcast testing
- Interrupt Testing
- Protocol
IoT Testing Tools:
Two most effective IoT testing tools are:
1.Shodan
Shodan is an IoT testing tool that you can use to discover which of your devices are connected to the Internet. It allows you to keep track of all the computers which are directly accessible from the Internet.
Download link: https://www.shodan.io/
2. Thingful
Thingful is a search engine for the Internet of Things. It allows secure interoperability between millions of objects via the Internet. This IOT testing tool also to control how data is used and empowers to take more decisive and valuable decisions.
Download link: https://www.thingful.net
IoT Examples
Some of the examples of IoT in real-life implementation are as follows:
1) In wearable tech:
Wearable gadgets such as Fitbit bands and Apple watches synchronize easily with mobile devices.
This helps in capturing necessary information such as health, heart rate monitoring, sleeping activity, etc. These also help in displaying data, notifications from mobile devices in real-time.
2) Infrastructure and development:
With the use of an application such as Citysense, it is easier to get real-time outdoor lighting data and based on these, the street lights are switched on or off. There are also various applications so as to control traffic signals and parking availability in a sophisticated city layout.
3) Healthcare:
There are numerous applications so as to monitor the health conditions of the patients.
Based on the benchmark data, the services control the dosage of medicine at different times in a day. There are applications such as UroSense which can monitor the fluid levels in the patient’s body and based on the need can initiate the fluid transfer. At the same time, the data can be transmitted wirelessly to various stakeholders.
