How Devices Can Be Discovered

On a Network
Device discovery is a critical aspect of the Internet of
Things (IoT) ecosystem, as it allows devices to
identify and communicate with each other on a
network.
• IP-based discovery: Devices on an IP-based network can
use protocols such as Simple Service Discovery Protocol
(SSDP), Bonjour, or Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) to
advertise their presence and discover other devices on
the network.
• Bluetooth-based discovery: Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
is a common communication protocol used in IoT
devices, and it also includes device discovery capabilities.
• DNS-based discovery: Devices can register their
presence by updating DNS records with their
information, and other devices can query the DNS server
to discover devices based on their registered domain
names.
RFID/NFC-based discovery: Radio-Frequency
Identification (RFID) and Near Field Communication
(NFC) are technologies used for short-range wireless
communication. IoT devices equipped with RFID or NFC
tags can be discovered by other devices equipped with
compatible readers or scanners in close proximity.

Cloud-based discovery: Devices can connect to a cloud-

based platform or service to register their presence, and
other devices can query the cloud-based service to
discover devices. This may involve using APIs or other
communication mechanisms provided by the cloud-
based service.

Multicast-based discovery: Devices can use multicast

messages to discover other devices on the same
network. A device can send a multicast message
containing its information, and other devices can listen
for these messages to discover the available devices.
 Device Registration
Device Device identification: The device needs to have a unique identifier, such as
a MAC address, IP address, or a custom device ID, to register on the
registration network or with a cloud-based service.
refers to
the process
Information sharing: The device may need to share relevant information,
of adding a such as its capabilities, services, characteristics, or metadata, during the
device to a registration process. This information can be used by other devices or
services for discovery and communication purposes.
network or
service. Authentication/Authorization: The device may need to authenticate
and/or authorize itself with the network or cloud-based service to register.
This can involve using credentials, tokens, or certificates to ensure secure
and authorized access to the network or service.
Device Deregistration
Device deregistration refers to the process of removing a device from a network
or service.
• Security: Deregistering devices that are no longer needed helps prevent
unauthorized access to the network or service, reducing potential security risks.
• Resource Management: Deregistration frees up resources, such as IP addresses,
bandwidth, and storage, that were allocated to the device, allowing them to be
reallocated to other devices or services.
• Billing and Accounting: Deregistration helps track and manage device usage for
accurate billing and accounting, ensuring that only active devices are billed for
the resources and services they consume.
Thank You