Intel introduced a new IoT “end-to-end reference model” that includes a Linux-ready edge management platform, security, services, and ecosystem partners.

The new reference platform, called the “Intel IoT Platform,” helps fill in the gaps in Intel’s growing ecosystem of Internet of Things gateways, cloud-based services, and endpoint devices like the Linux-based Intel Galileo SBC and Intel Edison module.

Intel Edison

The “end-to-end reference model” includes a new Edge Management System from Intel’s Wind River subsidiary, as well as Enhanced Security for Intel IoT Gateways from its McAfee subsidiary. There’s also a new Intel API and Traffic Management solution based on the Intel Mashery API.

Intel also announced a series of partnerships with major IT consulting services and technology firms to help implement the Intel IoT Platform. Partners include Accenture, Booz Allen Hamilton, Capgemini, Dell, HCL, NTT Data, SAP, TCS, and Wipro. The end-to-end reference model and ecosystem is designed to “address the key challenges solution providers are facing when implementing IoT,” says Intel. The Intel IoT Platform specifically targets challenges like interoperability, security, and seamless connectivity, says the company.

Intel IoT Platform overview
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Aaeon AIOT-X1000

The initiative builds on Intel’s Linux-oriented Intel Gateway Solutions for IoT, which was released in April. The router-like Intel IoT Gateway reference design, which can run on either Atom E3800 or Quark processors, is currently available from seven ODMs, with 13 more releasing devices in early 2015, says Intel. Early gateways have come from ADI Engineering, Adlink, Advantech, Eurotech, and Aaeon, which in June announced a Linux- and Quark-based AIOT-X1000 gateway.

Intel Management Systems overview
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Intel’s new IoT Platform also aligns with its Open Interconnect Consortium for IoT. Intel launched the OIC in June with Samsung, Broadcom, Atmel, and Dell, as an alternative to Qualcomm’s Linux Foundation hosted Allseen Alliance.

 
Wind River Edge Management System

The key new offering in the Intel IoT Platform is the Wind River Edge Management System. The software integrates with Wind River Linux and Wind River VxWorks embedded distributions, and builds upon the Linux-compatible Wind River Intelligent Device Platform. The latter was announced with the Intel IoT Gateways as a means to develop, prototype, and deploy application services for M2M and IoT applications.

Wind River Edge Management System
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The new Edge Management Systems is a pre-integrated, cloud-based middleware stack that facilitates device configuration, file transfers, data capture, and rules-based data analysis and response for IoT networks, says Intel. The services are accessible from the Intel IoT Gateway via an agent that enables the gateway to be rapidly deployed, provisioned, and managed. Customers can use the stack to “quickly build industry-specific IoT solutions and integrate disparate enterprise IT systems, utilizing API management,” says the chipmaker.

Edge Management Systems includes remote device management features that enable remote diagnostics and maintenance capabilities. You also get secure software updates and on-device security features including white listing and integrity monitoring. The software further enables the transformation of remotely collected sensor and system health data into “actionable intelligence,” says Intel.

 
Intel IoT Platform components

New Intel IoT Platform components include:

• Wind River Edge Management System — Provides cloud connectivity for IoT networks (see above).

Intel IoT Gateway reference design

• Intel IoT Gateway updates — The latest IoT Gateway reference design includes performance improvements, support for lower cost memory options, and a broader selection of available communication options, says Intel.

• Cloud Analytics — Intel is expanding its cloud analytics support for IoT Developer Kits to include the Intel IoT Gateway, in addition to Galileo and Edison endpoints. The analytics can help developers detect trends and anomalies in time series at a big data scale, says the company.

• McAfee Enhanced Security for Intel IoT Gateways — This subset of Intel Security builds upon the earlier McAfee Embedded Control provided with the Intel IoT Gateway. This pre-validated solution adds advanced security management for gateway devices, says Intel.

• Enhanced Privacy Identity (EPID) — Intel Security will promote its EPID technology to other silicon vendors in order to provide a common, secure “on-ramp” for authentication on the Intel IoT Platform. EPID is said to offer anonymity properties, as well as hardware-enforced integrity. It’s also “included in ISO and TCG standards,” says Intel. With EPID, for example, “a device can be identified as part of a group instead of as an individual,” says the company.

• Intel API and Traffic Management — Based on Intel Mashery API solutions, which are also available to Galileo developers, the new API and Traffic Management APIs help build applications “with data APIs that can be shared internally, externally with partners or monetized as revenue-generating data services for customers,” says Intel. Companies including Siemens, Brivo Systems, and Carvoyant are said to already be using the new APIs for end-to-end IoT deployments.

 
Intel IoT Platform collaborations

The following is a summary of Intel IoT Platform collaborations planned by third-party consultants and tech providers that have joined the ecosystem:

• Accenture — The IT consulting giant will bring expertise in data analytics and data mining expertise to Intel IoT Platform deployments.

• Booz Allen Hamilton — The consultancy will focus on verticals like healthcare, transportation, energy, and defense, and will bring to the table core capabilities in data science, cybersecurity, and rapid prototyping. Booz Allen Hamilton is also extending its development laboratories with new Intel IoT technologies.

• Capgemini — The company is standardizing its Energy Management IoT platform on Intel IoT Platform.

• Dell — The computer manufacturer will focus on industrial automation, oil and gas, healthcare, and smart building projects. Dell will look for opportunities to use the Intel IoT Platform in its partnership with the Cleantech San Diego “smart city” initiative.

• HCL — The company will work on deployments in industrial manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation.

• NTT Data — The IT consulting arm of Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo is building a proof-of-concept IoT gateway based on Intel’s technology for employee healthcare monitoring. It will also integrate the Intel platform with its Xrosscloud cloud management solution.

• SAP — The enterprise software giant will integrate the Intel IoT Platform with systems including the SAP HANA in-memory platform to “enable asynchronous, event-driven collection and management of operational data.”

• Tata Consultancy (TCS) — Intel and TCS are collaborating on a portfolio of IoT asset management solutions for smart cities, smart infrastructure, connected assets, and telematics.

• Wipro — The Wipro collaboration will tackle smart home and building automation, including security, HVAC, lighting, fire detection, and energy management applications.

“By using Accenture’s industry experience and digital assets to complement Intel’s IoT platform, we can create robust, end-to-end frameworks designed to overcome challenges associated with security, scalability and interoperability in IoT implementations,” stated Mike Sutcliff, group chief executive, Accenture Digital.

 
Further information

The Intel IoT Platform appears to be available now. More information may be found in the Intel IoT Platform announcement.