Internet of Things Architecture

feedback) about another entity. As input parameters, a unique identifier

for the entity to be assessed (subject), as well as the concrete context,

the given score and a timestamp are given. As a result, the

corresponding reputation is provided.

4.2.2.8 Management

Section 3.5.2.5 provides a high-level discussion for the role and the goals of the
Management FG, but it does not specify how to functionally parse this group.
For guidance on this question we turned to FCAPS, which offers a
comprehensive high-level framework for network management [Flextronics
2005]. It was, among others, incorporated into an ITU-T recommendation
[ITU-T 1997] and it has already been considered for Smart-Grid
applications, which are just one example for IoT [Greenfield 2009]. The
letters F C A P S stand for the functionalities

 Fault;

 Configuration;

 Accounting (Administration);

 Performance;

 Security.

Of these functionalities, Fault, Configuration, and Performance cover all the
important goals of the Management FG. In this document we choose to make
Security a separate functionality group in order to emphasise its importance for
IoT. FCAPS was designed with telecommunication applications in mind, while
subscriber-based services will be just one of many business models for the IoT.
Therefore accounting functionalities will be covered by primary services.
However, for administration purposes we introduce the functional components
State FC and Member FC. Performance functionality is related to the monitoring
of the state of the system and to the adaptation of its configuration, and is
therefore incarnated into the Fault, State and Configuration Functional
Components. (see Figure 39 ) illustrates how the high-level goals motivating the
creation of a Management FG (see Section 3.5.2.5) map onto the chosen
functional components.

Management FCs

High-level goals Fault Configuration Reporting Member State

Cost reduction X X X X

Attending unforeseeable
usage issues

X X X X X

Fault handling X X X X X