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Architecture

A Secure, Fast, and Reliable Scalable Architecture

The Cortet IoT Control Platform is based on an efficient architecture that creates a seamless & dynamic link between a wireless mesh network of devices, user interface (UI) applications, and cloud-hosted software. The architecture is a highly scalable distributed architecture that maximizes security, speed, and reliability.

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    Local and Remote Control: Bring Local & Cloud Into Balance

    The Cortet IoT Control Platform emphasizes a seamless connection between wireless mesh networks of devices, local and remote user interface (UI) applications, and cloud-connected services. Using a single, straightforward Application Programmable Interface (API), Cortet brings the wireless mesh network, UI applications, and the cloud together in a unified and dynamic platform.

    • When a UI application is on-premises and co-located with the mesh network, it leverages local gateways to directly control & monitor devices without use of the cloud.
    • When a UI application is off-site and not co-located with the mesh network, it controls & monitors by using the cloud to reach through the Internet to local gateways.

    The cloud is able to communicate directly with the mesh network through local gateways, allowing remote UI applications and other cloud-connected services to communicate seamlessly with wireless devices.

    All of this is done using a single, unified RESTful API.

    Scalable, Distributed Architecture

    The Cortet IoT Control Platform is based on a multi-tier gateway architecture.

    Wireless IoT-enabled smart building technology relies entirely a the strength of the wireless network infrastructure: a sort-of wireless nervous system for the modern smart building. To form a secure, high-speed, and reliable wireless nervous system, Cortet uses a distributed network architecture. The architecture brings intelligence and control as close to the devices as securely and efficiently possible.

    • Security – the architecture eliminates single breach points and leverages security at every link
    • Speed – the architecture brings control & intelligence closer to the devices by using distributed lean & efficient gateways/controllers
    • Reliability – the architecture eliminates weak links and single points of failure

    Edge, Fog, and Cloud Computing: The Right Tool for the Right Job

    The Cortet philosophy is to bring computing, intelligence, and control as close to the device as efficiently and securely possible.

    Well-designed wireless devices are able to control their own behavior. For example, a light will "know" how a light should work. The light will receive commands telling it to turn on, turn off, or dim to a particular level, and that light “knows” how to translate those commands into actions in order to provide ideal and desired lighting conditions to the end user. The work done at the light is the work done at the "edge." Some industry experts call this “edge computing.” Edge computing can add advanced functions such as localized analytics such as energy monitoring, but it is often as simple as converting digital commands into physical action.

    The light can’t do everything, and all devices are not created equally. This is where the Gateways (aka – Wireless Controllers) come in.

    Advanced security, device rules (device automated behavior & multi-device pairings), schedules, groups of devices, scenes (pre-configured settings), and more are all stored and executed locally in Local Gateways. This allows advanced device behavior to be fast, efficient, secure, and not dependent on the cloud (or other external) connections. Some industry experts now call this “fog computing,” which is computing in distributed yet micro-centralized control devices located on-premises.

    “Cloud computing” is used to backup edge & fog computing. Cloud computing is also used to augment a network with remote connectivity (for off-site control & monitoring) and with advanced services only possible with the endless resources available on Internet-hosted servers. Cortet believes that the cloud should do only what cannot be done on-site with local, distributed resources. The cloud is an important link that gives devices a voice to the entire outside world when desired, but it is not intended to be a required component of the modern smart building.