Republic of the Philippines

CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY

Silang Campus
Silang, Cavite

Name: Click here to enter text. Date: 22 November 2022

Course/Yr/ Choose an item. Subject Code: COSC 111
Section:

Internet of Things
LABORATORY ACTIVITY NO. 5
Explore the Smart Home in Packet Tracer

INSTRUCTIONS: Save as PDF and submit in Google Classroom. Or print then

answer and take a photo.
Objectives
Part 1: Explore the Smart Home
Part 2: Edge Computing in the Smart Home

Background / Scenario
In this activity, you will explore the smart home example. Depending on the application,
some data is best processed close to the source. The smart home example takes
advantage of Edge computing to monitor and act upon the levels of smoke detected in
the home.

Instructions

Part 1: Explore the Smart Home

Step 1: Understanding the devices that comprise the smart home.

Commonly ISPs deliver data and video over a single coaxial cable. Starting from the
attic, a coaxial splitter is used to separate the video signal from the data signal.
a. Two coaxial cables leave the coaxial splitter in the topology shown.
Question:

Which devices does the coaxial cable connect to?

Answer1: TV
Answer2: Cable modem

b. The cable modem is the interface between the network of the ISP and the home.

Page 1 of 5
 Question:

To which devices does the cable modem connect?

Answer1: Coaxial Splitter
Answer2: Home Gateway

The Home Gateway acts as a concentrator and router to all internal home devices. It
also provides a web-based interface that allows users to monitor and control various
smart home devices. Notice that the home devices can connect to the Home
Gateway through either a wireless and/or wired connection.
Note: Packet Tracer uses dashed beams to represent wireless connections.
However, this can make a topology difficult to understand if too many devices are
connected. Because of this, wireless connections have been hidden. To show
wireless connections, go to Options > Preferences > Hide Tab > uncheck Hide
Wireless/Cellular Connection.
Question:

List all home devices connected to the Home Gateway.

Coax Splitter0, Cable Modem0, Home Gateway0, Smart Solar Panel, Smart Battery, Smart
Window, Smart Fan, Smart Lamp, Smart Phone, Tablet, Smoke Detector, Thermometer,
TV, Smart Alarm, Smart Coffee Maker, Smart Thermostat, smart door, heating unit, cooling
unit, smart water meter, smart sprinkler, Classic Car, MCU, smart garage door and smoke
sensor, smoke detector.

Step 2: Interacting with the Smart Home.

The devices in the smart home can be monitored and controlled remotely through any
computer in the home. Because all smart devices connect to the Home Gateway which
hosts a web-based interface, tablets, smartphones, laptops or desktop computers can
be used to interact with the smart devices.
a. Click the Tablet. (The tablet is located on the bed in the master bedroom).
b. Navigate to Desktop > IoT Monitor.
c. The IP address of IoT server on the Home Gateway is 192.168.25.1
Use admin/admin as username and password to log into the Home Gateway.
Click Login.
Question:

What is displayed?

Page 2 of 5
 Smoke Detector
Smart Alarm
Garage Door
Smart Window
Smart Door
Smart Sprinkler
Smart Water Meter
Temperature Water
Smart Coffee maker
Smart Fan
Smart Lamp

d. The smart door is currently unlocked (represented by a green light on its door knob),
but it can be locked remotely. Click the smart door in the browser to expand the
option.
e. Click Lock to lock the door.
Question:

Was the door locked? How do you know?

Yes. The doorknob light turned red which is Packet Tracer’s way of representing a
locked smart door.

f. Click Unlock to unlock the door.

g. Click the smoke detector in the browser to expand the section.
Questions:

What is the smoke level reading provided by the smoke detector?

None. The detector does not detect smoke at this time.

r Area
Can the smoke detector be controlled?
No. The smoke detector can only be monitored.

h. Smart devices can also be controlled directly, representing physical interaction.

Within the Logical work area of Packet Tracer, hold down the ALT key and click
the Smart Coffee Maker to turn it on or off.

Part 2: Edge Computing in the Smart Home

Page 3 of 5
 The MCU added to the smart home is used to monitor the smoke levels read by the
smoke sensor and decide if the house should be ventilated. If the carbon monoxide
(CO) levels raises above 10.3 units, the MCU is programmed to automatically open the
window, front door, garage door and start the fan in high speed. This action is only
reverted (close doors and windows and stop the fan) when the CO levels drop below 1
unit.

Step 1: Run the Classic Car.

The owner keeps a classic car in the garage and needs to be run occasionally. The
classic car generates carbon monoxide which raises the levels within the premises.
a. Click the Tablet located on the bed in the master bedroom.
b. Navigate to Desktop > Web Browser.
c. In the address bar, enter 192.168.25.1. This is the IP address of the Home Gateway.
d. Use admin /admin as username and password to log into the Home Gateway.
e. Click the Smoke Detector within the smart home; leave this window visible so you
can monitor the smoke levels.
f. Start the car engine by holding the Alt key and clicking the classic car.
What happens to the air inside the house with the car running inside the garage?
Since the doors and window are closed, the smoke detector indicates elevated levels of
dangerous gases. When the levels exceed 10.3 units, the MCU acts on it and opens the garage
doors, front door, and window. The MCU also turns on the ceiling fan at its highest speed.

What happens to air inside the house after the MCU opens the doors and window,
and start the fan?
The smoke level drops to a level close to 0, but does not reach 0.
Does the MCU close the doors and window, and stop the fan?

No. The car is running and smoke levels are still measurable.

g. While still monitoring the levels, stop the engine of the classic car by holding
the Alt key and clicking the classic car.
Questions:

What happens to air quality inside the house after the engine is stopped?

The CO and CO2 levels drop to 0 units.

What happens to the doors, window and fan?

Now that the levels are below 1 unit, the MCU decides it’s safe to close the garage door, front
door, and window. The MCU also stops the fan.

Page 4 of 5
Reflection
This example shows that the decision between cloud and edge processing depends on
the application.
In the smart home example, edge computing was the best option. The data generated
by the smoke sensors were processed and used to make decisions regarding the air
quality of the house. In this scenario, there was no need to send out sensor data to the
cloud for processing. Cloud processing would slow down the response time, potentially
putting lives in danger. Another possible problem relates to the internet link; if the
connection to the internet was lost, the entire system would fail, putting lives at risk.

Page 5 of 5