IOx combines elements of Linux OS and Cisco IOS creating a platform for the creation and running of IoT applications on Cisco industrial networked devices. Cisco has introduced this hybrid router operating system for the efficient management of IoT devices and the huge amount of information expected to be produced by the Internet of Things.
With the IOx, Cisco wants to move processing tasks and data generated by IoT devices to the edge of the network. This is all handled on a central control panel currently with monitoring, analysis and decisions on IoT traffic affecting network efficiency and response times. A distributed approach to computing infrastructure, Cisco Fog, is also being advocated to provide efficient management of IoT applications by network devices. Through this concept, data and processing tasks will be kept local for reduced latency. Data that won’t be required for analysis will also be discarded locally reducing the amount of unnecessary traffic over the internet.
Cisco Fog applications could include:
- Video cameras that can sense an approaching ambulance’s flashing lights could change traffic lights to allow the emergency vehicle to pass through.
- Energy load balancing that would switch to alternative energy sources based on energy demand and lowest prices.
- Life saving air quality monitoring in mines that would automatically change airflow if conditions became dangerous to miners.
“Cisco is very excited to accelerate innovation in the Internet of Things by delivering IOx, which provides the ability to combine computation and communication on our ruggedized routers and other devices. We believe that this turns the network into the fourth platform for computing (in addition to PCs, mobile and cloud), which will unleash new applications in manufacturing, transportation, smart cities and many other industries,” says Guido Jouret, general manager of Internet of Things Business Group at Cisco.
