Layer 2 IoT Connectivity

Connectivity of the THING is very important. We wish that the device can communicate in order to exchange data and interract with other devices or people.

Overview of the short range connectivity

For the logger range and the autonomous devices that will be deployed far from local gateways and LAN's additional capability is required

Topology

P2P

Star

Mesh

A mesh network (or simply meshnet) is a local network topology in which the infrastructure nodes (i.e. bridges, switches and other infrastructure devices) connect directly, dynamically and non-hierarchically to as many other nodes as possible and cooperate with one another to efficiently route data from/to clients. This lack of dependency on one node allows for every node to participate in the relay of information. Mesh networks dynamically self-organize and self-configure, which can reduce installation overhead. The ability to self-configure enables dynamic distribution of workloads, particularly in the event that a few nodes should fail. This in turn contributes to fault-tolerance and reduced maintenance costs.

ZigBee digital radios are incorporated into some consumer appliances, including battery-powered appliances. ZigBee radios spontaneously organize a mesh network, using specific routing algorithms; transmission and reception are synchronized. This means the radios can be off much of the time, and thus conserve power. ZigBee is for low power low bandwidth application scenarios. Thread is a consumer wireless networking protocol built on open standards and IPv6/6LoWPAN protocols. Thread's features include a secure and reliable mesh network with no single point of failure, simple connectivity and low power. Thread networks are easy to set up and secure to use with banking-class encryption to close security holes that exist in other wireless protocols. In 2014 Google Inc's Nest Labs announced a working group with the companies Samsung, ARM Holdings, Freescale, Silicon Labs, Big Ass Fans and the lock company Yale to promote Thread.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesh_networking

Network types at a glance

• Personal Area Networks (PAN)
• Local Area Networks (LAN)
• Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN)
• Wide Area Networks (WAN)
• Global Area Networks (GAN)

 Personal Area Network (PAN)

To enable data exchange, modern devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers can be integrated into a network. This can be wired in the form of a Personal Area Network (PAN). Common transfer techniques include USB or FireWire. The wireless variety is known as Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) and is based on technologies such as Bluetooth, Wireless USB, Insteon, IrDA, ZigBee, and Z-Wave. A wireless Personal Area Network, which can be achieved via Bluetooth, is called Piconet. PANs and WPANs usually only stretch over a few meters, and are therefore not suitable for connecting devices in different rooms or even buildings.

 Local Area Network (LAN)

If more than one computer is to be connected to a network, this usually takes the form of a Local Area Network (LAN). Networks like these can include two computers in a private household or several thousand devices in a company. Networks in public institutionsm such as those used by public authorities, schools, or universities, are also implemented as LANs. A widely-used standard for wired Local Area Networks is Ethernet.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a broadband telecommunication network that connects several LANs in close proximity. As a rule, these are individual establishments in a company that are connected to a MAN via leased lines. High-performance routers and high-performance fiber-based connections are used, which enable a significantly higher data throughput than the internet. The transfer speed between two remote nodes is comparable to that of communication within a LAN.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

While Metropolitan Area Networks connect areas that are near each other in rural or urban areas, Wide Area Networks (WANs) extend across large geographic areas, such as countries or continents. The number of local networks or individual computers connected in a WAN is unlimited, in principle.

Global Area Network (GAN)

A global network, such as the internet, is referred to as the Globe Area Network (GAN). The internet is, however, not the only computer network of its kind. Internationally operating companies also support local networks that comprise of several WANs and connect company computers across the world. GANs use the fiber optic infrastructure from wide area networks and combine these with international undersea cables or satellite transmissions.

source https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/know-how/the-different-network-types/