Teaching & Learning Resources

Students are provided with a lab book that explains each practical sessions steps by step. This lab book guides students through a series of labs. Each lab has its objectives. It expected that students should be able to complete each lab session within two hours (most of the time much less). This booklet does assume that students have some amount of networking knowledge. Further, it is important to mention that IoT by nature is a broad subject. Therefore, we cannot teach all the topics in-depth in a few lab sessions. For example, Arduino programming use C/C++ programming languages. However, we do not expect students to be an expert on C/C++ to follow the lab session. However, if the students have some background, they will find some known concepts in action and feel comfortable. If the student has never seen C/C++ before, they will, of course, feel nervous and sometimes will feel lost.

Throughout the lab book, we have provided explanations and external link and references to reading material. Especially if the students do not understand specific programming tasks such as C/C++, it may worth reading those links. Further, these link will provide guidance for students to explore the universe of IoT by their own, beyond the labs we have provided here. Finally, we would like to emphasis that this is not a programming course. Therefore, we do not try to teach a particular programming language (though we try to provide as much links and references for students to develop their skills). It is up to the students to develop the gaps in their knowledge by referring to the links we provided.

This IOT Advanced Lab Book is primarily compiled to support Internet of Things: Systems Design courses for learners at different stages of study. It is also designed to complement the IOT Lab Book, which focuses on end-to-end IoT systems development, combining microcontrollers, single-board computers and IoT cloud platforms.

This Advanced Lab Book aims at complex IoT network design, and simulations. CISCO Packet Tracer is a powerful network simulation tool developed by Cisco Systems, designed to help students and professionals visualize, build, and troubleshoot network systems without the need for physical hardware. As an educational tool, it is invaluable for understanding complex concepts and scenarios in networking and the Internet of Things (IoT). With Packet Tracer, users can simulate the configuration of Cisco routers and switches using a command-line interface similar to that used in real life. This functionality extends to IoT simulations, allowing learners to integrate and manage IoT devices within various network configurations. Users can create virtual representations of networks including IoT devices like sensors, actuaries, and connected appliances, making it possible to observe and control their interactions in real-time simulated environments.

The tool's intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes it accessible for beginners, yet it is robust enough to offer detailed, advanced simulations for more experienced users. Cisco Packet Tracer primarily supports a simplified form of JavaScript for creating interactive activities and simulations, especially in the context of the Internet of Things (IoT). This allows users to script behaviors and automate responses within the simulated network environment, which is particularly useful for modeling complex network scenarios and IoT integrations.

This IOT Project Work Book supports project-led Internet of Things: Systems Design courses. It helps teams and individuals systematically organise and develop complex IoT projects, offering optional activities to refine processes, clarify objectives, and streamline debugging. Reflecting the module's structure, it assumes familiarity with core topics like applications, architecture, sensing, networking, data management, privacy, human factors, prototyping, and design strategies, making it an essential companion resource. Each workshop is anchored by specific lessons, ensuring learners connect key concepts to practical tasks. Although the materials originate from diverse sources, their integration enriches understanding of available IoT techniques. This deliberate variety can make transitions feel abrupt, yet it broadens the skill set needed for real-world problem-solving. By exploring a wide range of tools, learners gain flexibility in choosing methods tailored to different scenarios, driving innovation and informed decision-making.

This workbook showcases the collective efforts of numerous contributors who developed the tools and resources embedded within these workshops. Their valuable innovations enable hands-on learning for designing and refining IoT systems effectively. While the suggested approach demonstrates one way to employ these techniques, it is by no means exhaustive. We encourage you to experiment, adapt, and devise new methods that best suit your project's needs and enhance your learning experience. Ultimately, your creativity is key to unlocking this workbook's full potential. By exploring multiple tools and techniques, you gain a comprehensive perspective on the expansive IoT landscape.

This IOT Lab Book (with Packet Tracer) is compiled for Internet of Things: Systems Design courses that blend foundational and advanced content. It complements the IOT Lab Book, which focuses on end-to-end IoT systems, merging microcontrollers, single-board computers, and cloud platforms. By bridging real hardware and Cisco Packet Tracer's simulations, it teaches practitioners to design IoT solutions that transcend the limitations of physical setups while fostering immersive hands-on learning. By integrating devices like Raspberry Pis and Arduinos with virtual representations of sensors and actuators, this book provides a flexible, scalable approach to IoT development. Participants can deploy hybrid solutions, sending data and commands between tangible hardware and Packet Tracer simulations through protocols like HTTP. This dual environment fosters deeper insight into networking fundamentals and demonstrates how to overcome real-world constraints via digital experimentation and fosters robust IoT prototyping strategies.

For instance, learners may build parts of a project using physical hardware while complementing it with simulated components in Cisco Packet Tracer. This approach lets them experiment with complex networks, scale device counts, and create custom virtual sensors or actuators. By practicing both hands-on and virtual methods, students gain problem-solving skills and learn to craft sophisticated, highly adaptable systems that seamlessly merge the real and digital realms, expanding IoT possibilities. While the Advanced Lab Book introduces Cisco Packet Tracer in detail, this IOT Lab Book (with Packet Tracer) focuses on unifying physical and virtual ecosystems. Students master Packet Tracer's standalone features and explore advanced hybrid scenarios. By understanding the volumes, they develop IoT expertise, leveraging real hardware where feasible and digital simulations when constraints arise.