Self-Organizing Virtual Devices in the Internet of Things Networks

The Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm is expected to be a key communication platform between Real World Objects (RWO) and the virtual realm. This work identifies the main issues that are related to IoT realization, focusing on the networking technological heterogeneity between the connected objects, the (self-) management of their virtual representations along with the respective services, as well as enhancing context awareness, allowing for greater autonomicity of applications and re-usability of devices and software components. This paper proposes a self-management framework for addressing these issues. The framework consists of three levels of functionality and each level comprises cognitive entities that provide the means for self-management (configuration, healing, optimization, organization) capabilities and learning, allowing for smart, flexible applications and objects. The presented framework enables the abstraction of the heterogeneity that derives from the vast amount of connected objects, while enhancing reliability and facilitates the consideration of the views of various users/stakeholders for ensuring proper application provision.