The global Internet infrastructure is a complex system that requires collaboration and responsible action from various stakeholders to maintain its health and stability. One of the critical challenges faced by the Internet ecosystem is the leakage of DNS reverse lookup traffic related to private IP addresses. This paper proposes the deployment of AS112 nodes as a technical solution to address this issue and invites other networks to adopt a similar approach, contributing to a more resilient and efficient Internet. 

Introduction  

The Internet is an essential part of our daily lives, and organizations managing large networks play a significant role in ensuring a stable and reliable user experience. DNS reverse lookup traffic associated with private IP addresses, as defined in RFC 1918 and RFC 6598, often leaks onto the public Internet due to misconfigurations and other factors. This unintended traffic unnecessarily loads the global DNS infrastructure and impacts overall network performance. AS112 nodes offer a distributed sinkhole service, absorbing this traffic and mitigating its effects on the Internet ecosystem. 

What is AS112? 

Imagine you accidentally dial a phone number that doesn’t exist. Instead of reaching someone, you’d expect to hear a message saying the number isn’t in service. Now, think of the internet as a massive phone book, but instead of phone numbers, we have addresses for websites and online services. Sometimes, people or systems mistakenly try to reach addresses that don’t exist or are reserved for private use (like a private phone line that’s not listed in the public directory). 

AS112 is like a friendly operator in this vast online phone system. Instead of letting these mistaken calls bother the main switchboard (the root of the internet), AS112 steps in and says, “Hey, that address doesn’t exist or is private. Please check and try again.” By doing this, AS112 helps reduce unnecessary traffic and ensures the main switchboard isn’t overwhelmed with these mistaken calls. 

Why is AS112 Important? 

-Reducing Unnecessary Traffic: Just like a busy phone line, the internet can get clogged with too many requests. By handling these mistaken calls, AS112 ensures the main system runs smoothly. 

-Protecting the Core of the Internet: The root of the internet is vital for everyone’s online activities. AS112 acts as a guardian, ensuring that the root is not burdened with irrelevant requests. 

-Helping Systems and People: By responding to these mistaken requests, AS112 provides feedback, which can help in identifying and fixing errors. 

In essence, AS112 is like a helpful operator in the vast world of the internet, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. 

Technical Solution 

AS112 nodes are strategically placed within a network to handle and absorb misdirected DNS reverse lookup traffic for private IP addresses. By deploying these nodes, organizations can offload unintended traffic and reduce the burden on local and global DNS infrastructure. The implementation of AS112 nodes involves the following steps: 

1. Determine optimal locations for AS112 nodes based on traffic patterns and network topology. 

2. Configure the AS112 nodes with appropriate software, such as BIND or Knot DNS, to handle reverse DNS lookup traffic for the specific private IP address ranges. 

3. Advertise the AS112 prefix in the global routing table through the organization’s Autonomous System (AS) to attract misdirected traffic. 

4. Monitor the AS112 nodes to ensure they handle the reverse lookup traffic effectively and adjust configurations as needed. 

Deployment Recommendations for AS112

IP Address Choice

Use the dedicated IP addresses assigned for AS112 nodes. This ensures that the node is recognized as part of the AS112 project and can handle the specific traffic directed towards it. 

Use of BGP (Border Gateway Protocol)

BGP should be used to announce the presence of the AS112 node to neighboring networks. This helps in directing the appropriate traffic to the node. 

It’s recommended to use BGP communities to control the scope of the announcement, ensuring that it reaches the intended audience. 

Network Environment Considerations 

• Public Internet: If deploying on the public internet, ensure that the node is reachable from all parts of the internet. This might involve coordinating with internet service providers and ensuring there are no filters blocking the traffic. 

• Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): For nodes deployed at IXPs, it’s essential to ensure that the node can handle the traffic volume typical at such locations. Also, coordination with the IXP operator is crucial. 

• Private Networks: If the node is intended for a private network, ensure that it only serves that specific network and doesn’t announce its presence to the broader internet. 

Anycast Considerations 

Anycast is a method where the same IP address is used by multiple nodes in different locations. This helps in distributing the load and ensuring faster response times. 

If using anycast, ensure that all the nodes using the same IP address have consistent configurations and data. This ensures that users get the same response regardless of which node they connect to. 

Operational Monitoring 

 Regularly monitor the node’s operation to ensure its functioning correctly. This includes checking for software updates, monitoring traffic levels, and ensuring that the node is responding to queries as expected. 

Coordination 

 It’s beneficial to coordinate with other AS112 operators, especially when making significant changes or updates. This helps in sharing best practices and ensuring consistent operation across all nodes. 

These are the high-level deployment recommendations for AS112 based on the RFC. They provide guidelines to ensure that the node operates efficiently and serves its intended purpose in the broader internet ecosystem. 

Security Considerations for AS112 

Information Leakage

Hosts should ideally never send queries to AS112 servers. Queries related to private-use addresses should be answered locally within a site. If hosts send queries to AS112 servers, they might inadvertently leak information about private infrastructure to the public network. This could pose a security risk. 

Logging by AS112 Operators

AS112 operators might log the information they receive. This logged data could be subject to various security and privacy risks. However, these risks exist regardless of whether authoritative servers for these zones are present in the public DNS infrastructure. 

Unexpected Traffic

Queries answered by AS112 servers are typically unintentional, meaning the responses from AS112 servers are usually unexpected. Such unexpected inbound traffic might trigger intrusion detection systems or firewalls. AS112 server operators should be prepared for inquiries from remote infrastructure operators who might mistakenly believe their security has been compromised. 

Potential Misunderstanding

Operators of AS112 servers might be contacted by individuals who mistakenly believe that responses from AS112 nodes are an attack on their infrastructure. Guidance for those who hold this misconception can be found in [RFC6305]. 

Loose Coordination

The deployment of AS112 nodes is not as tightly coordinated as other services distributed using anycast. This makes it challenging to detect malicious compromises of an AS112 node or subversion of the data served by the node due to the lack of centralized management. 

Potential Attack Vector

Changing the responses to queries received by AS112 nodes might influence the behavior of the hosts sending the queries. Such a compromise might be used as an attack vector against private infrastructure. 

Protection Measures

AS112 operators should ensure that AS112 nodes are protected from compromise. Measures similar to those used for production nameservers or network infrastructure should be employed. The guidance provided for root nameservers in [RFC2870] might be helpful. 

DNSSEC Considerations

The zones hosted by AS112 servers are not signed with DNSSEC. Given the distributed and loosely coordinated structure of the AS112 service, signing the zones would require the private key material to be effectively public, which would negate any security benefits from using those keys. 

In essence, while AS112 provides a valuable service in handling DNS queries for non-routable IP addresses, there are several security considerations that operators and users should be aware of. Proper measures and awareness can help mitigate potential risks. 

EdgeUno’s AS112 Implementation 

EdgeUno, a leading provider of internet infrastructure in Latin America, has proactively embraced the AS112 project to enhance the efficiency and reliability of its expansive network. Recognizing the importance of handling DNS queries for non-globally unique IP addresses, EdgeUno has implemented AS112 nodes in a strategic manner: 

Geographical Spread: EdgeUno’s AS112 nodes are strategically deployed across eight key locations in Latin America. These locations include: 

-Colombia 

-Mexico, with specific nodes in MEX1, GLD1, and QRO1 

-Chile 

-Miami (serving as a vital connection point for Latin America) 

-Brazil 

-Argentina 

This widespread deployment ensures that DNS queries originating from various parts of the region are efficiently handled, reducing unnecessary traffic and enhancing user experience. 

Technical Specifications 

-Operating System: EdgeUno’s AS112 nodes run on servers powered by Linux Debian, a robust and reliable operating system known for its stability and security. 

-Routing Daemon: The choice of the BIRD routing daemon ensures efficient and dynamic routing capabilities, allowing the AS112 nodes to effectively manage DNS traffic and respond to queries. 

-IPv4 / IPv6 Capable 

-Monitoring and Analytics 

EdgeUno employs a combination of Grafana and InfluxDB for monitoring its AS112 nodes. This setup provides: 

Real-time visualization of node performance and traffic through Grafana’s interactive dashboards. 

Efficient data storage and retrieval with InfluxDB, ensuring that any anomalies or issues can be quickly identified and addressed.

Call for Action 

We invite other networks to consider implementing AS112 nodes within their infrastructure to achieve the following benefits: 

1. Improve the overall health and stability of the global Internet ecosystem by reducing the load on root DNS servers. 
2. Enhance local DNS performance and contribute to better network performance for customers. 
3. Demonstrate commitment to the Internet community by taking a proactive role in maintaining its infrastructure. 
4. Foster collaboration among network operators and stakeholders to address common challenges and promote responsible Internet practices. 

Conclusion 

Deploying AS112 nodes is an important and responsible step for organizations managing large networks. By adopting this technical solution, network operators can contribute to a more resilient and efficient Internet, benefiting their customers and the broader online community. Therefore, we encourage other networks to explore the implementation of AS112 nodes and join the collective effort to maintain and enhance the global Internet infrastructure. 

References

1. RFC 7534 – AS112 Nameserver Operations 

2. EdgeUno Official Website https://edgeuno.com/

3. RFC 1918 – Address Allocation for Private Internets 

4. RFC 6598 – IANA-Reserved IPv4 Prefix for Shared Address Space 

As the globe becomes ever more interconnected, the demand for high-speed telecommunications services will only continue to grow, and new regional data hubs and expanded telecom services will play a vital role in supporting this trend. To compete in the global marketplace, businesses need to be aware of the trends and know how to adapt.

Here we present 6 telecom trends for 2023, in specific areas where there will be high demand for telecommunication services:

1. The Rise in Rural Telecoms and Smart

Despite recent advances in telecommunications, many rural areas are still underserved when it comes to broadband access. However, this is changing rapidly due to increased investment in infrastructure and the advancement of virtual reality applications.

In 2023, rural areas are expected to see a significant increase in broadband speeds, making it possible for residents to enjoy the same high-speed internet service as those living in urban areas. In addition, the growth of the data center market will provide a boost to telecom companies that offer cloud-based services.

As data centers become more widespread, they will be able to offer more affordable and reliable service to rural customers. This will ensure that businesses in these areas can take advantage of the latest innovations in cloud computing.

A study from The Ohio State University found that farmers were willing to spend $10 and $30 per acre in rural US settings to provide high-speed broadband coverage. This willingness to pay clearly indicates the high demand for better telecom services in rural areas. Private networks also have a role to play in bringing high-speed broadband to rural customers.

2. The Rise of the Datasphere

The datasphere is a term used to describe the growing trend of data becoming more widely distributed. This is due to the increasing use of cloud services and the proliferation of devices that are able to connect to the internet.

As more and more businesses move their data to the cloud, the datasphere is expected to grow exponentially. This will create new opportunities for telecom companies that are able to provide reliable and fast data services. In addition, the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) will lead to an increase in the amount of data that is generated on a daily basis.

According to IDC, the datasphere was estimated at 64 zettabytes in 2020 alone – and signs continue to point to tremendous growth in the coming years. This means that telecom companies must be prepared to deal with large amounts of data traffic and invest in the infrastructure necessary to support it.

In particular, they should focus on big data analytics and cloud-based services. By using these technologies, providers can minimize the amount of data that needs to be processed on-premises, thus freeing up valuable resources.

3. AR & VR Are Here To Stay

As big tech companies continue to invest in augmented and virtual reality applications, the demand for high-speed broadband connections is only going to increase. These applications require a lot of bandwidth and latency, so providers must have the infrastructure in place to support them.

In 2023, we expect to see more businesses adopting VR and AR applications. The use cases for these technologies are vast, ranging from education and training to product design and marketing.

While VR has seen a slow start in terms of adoption, AR has been growing at a rapid pace. This is due to the success of mobile applications that utilize AR to enhance the user experience. In the coming years, we can expect to see more businesses using AR to engage with their customers and promote their products.

For telecom companies, this trend presents a major opportunity to increase revenues by selling higher-speed data plans to users who need them. In addition, they should focus on developing innovative AR and VR applications of their own to stay ahead of the competition.

4. The Proliferation of Edge Computing

Edge computing is a term used to describe the growing trend of moving data processing and storage closer to the source of the data. This is in contrast to traditional methods of centralized computing, where all data is processed and stored in a single location.

The main advantage of edge computing is that it can reduce the amount of data that needs to be sent to the cloud. By doing this, providers can save on bandwidth costs and improve the performance and reliability of their services.

In addition, edge computing can help businesses reduce the latency associated with transmitting data over the internet. This is especially important for applications that require real-time responsiveness, such as augmented and virtual reality.

The growth of edge computing is being driven by the increasing popularity of IoT devices. These devices are generating massive amounts of data that need to be processed and stored locally. Edge computing provides an efficient way to do this without having to send all the data to the cloud.

For telecom companies, the growth of edge computing represents a major opportunity to increase revenues by selling higher-speed data plans to users who need them. In addition, they should focus on developing innovative edge computing applications of their own to stay ahead of the competition. If they can do this, they will be well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for these services.

5. Machine Learning & AI-Driven Services

In recent years, we have seen a surge in the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to drive various business applications. This trend is only going to continue in the coming years, as these technologies become more advanced and accessible.

Within the telecoms and high-speed communications industry, machine learning and AI can be used to optimize network performance, customer support, and marketing efforts. For example, operators can use AI to monitor the network for issues and automatically resolve them – regardless of their location or time of day. This can help to improve the quality of service and reduce customer churn.

In addition, machine learning can be used to develop targeted marketing campaigns that are more likely to convert customers. This is done by analyzing customer data to identify patterns and trends. AI can also be used to provide real-time customer support via chatbots. These bots can handle simple tasks such as account management and billing inquiries.

For telecom companies, investing in machine learning and AI-driven services will be essential for staying ahead of the competition. Those that don’t adopt these technologies will quickly fall behind and lose market share.

 6. Internet of Things (IoT)

Why IoT? Researches indicate that in a few years, we will have almost 40 billion devices around the world that use some type of Internet of Things technology. This data presents a huge opportunity for the telecommunications industry – even more so when we consider the popularization of 5G connections.

Being one of our telecom trends we chose to talk about, IoT can be highlighted within the industry as follows:

Monitoring and security: relying on a high-availability network, telecommunications companies can ally themselves with manufacturers of devices such as cameras and smart light bulbs to enrich their portfolios.

Houses and cities: as 5G becomes increasingly available, its possibilities also expand – whether in our homes (interconnected devices, AI, automation, climate control, etc.) or in future models of smart cities (mobility, accessibility, leisure, etc.).

Connectivity services: telecoms should increasingly invest in a high availability network, raising the quality of their connectivity services for both companies and end users.

Opportunities for CSPs: for telecom companies to be able to exploit the full potential of IoT, they will have to seek partnerships that know how to use the competitive advantages of their networks, such as content streaming, SaaS companies, data analytics and cloud, among others.

Of course, these are just some of the countless uses that IoT can bring to the telecom area. We could also mention exciting possibilities involving blockchain, autonomous vehicles and industrial uses.

All of this reaches the scope of telecoms promoting advances but also demanding robust infrastructures, since the democratization of IoT depends on the availability of secure and stable connections – which also expands opportunities for cloud and edge computing services.

Why These Telecom Trends Matter for the industry in 2023

The year 2023 is an important one for the telecom industry. It will be a time of transition as we see the rise of new technologies and trends that will have a major impact on the way we use telecommunications services. To maintain a competitive edge, businesses and providers need to be aware of these trends and invest in the necessary infrastructure to support them.

Each of these telecom trends represents a significant opportunity for those companies to grow their businesses and increase their market share. Those that are able to capitalize on these opportunities will be well-positioned to succeed in the years to come.

At EdgeUno, we are committed to staying ahead of the competition in providing Latin America and beyond with the best telecommunications services. We are constantly investing in new technologies and expanding our infrastructure to support the latest trends. Our focus on edge, cloud, and connectivity experiences ensures that our customers always have the best possible experience.

So, if you are looking for a partner that can help you stay ahead of the curve, contact EdgeUno today. We would be happy to discuss your needs and tailor a solution that meets your specific requirements.

Why is video streaming so slow?

This happens because of the distance the content must travel. Some providers are looking for content on the other side of the world, while other users are accessing content just around the corner. The user’s perception is that the service provider leaves them stranded when accessing content on a page and eventually, without an internet connection. On the other hand, a user located less than one meter away from the distributor accesses the same site without further complication.

From the point of view of the customer, today’s networks have multiple connection paths. Although through our devices we do not control the way we navigate, a big part of internet users believe that it is unidirectional, and only has a single possible way to access information, therefore, if I cannot access it immediately, I will have to wait until it is my turn.

What does Edge Data centers offer?

Since the Internet is a universe in which the source of information is distributed through different infrastructures and locations, the path they take can be the difference between watching a paused or uninterrupted video. This is where Edge infrastructures make a big difference. The main characteristic of this type of topologies is to allow service providers to access content in a more efficient and direct way.

The Edge Data Centers located in the sectors with the highest influx of information in each city allow all providers to be connected to access the content hosted in the Edge servers, avoiding unnecessary network sections, and making it possible to access the required service with relative ease. From a theoretical point of view, the Edge function is the solution to the end user’s quality perception problem. Now, the real challenge is to include this type of technology in new applications and telecommunications infrastructure developments.

What are the main challenges of Internet of Things – IoT in Latin America?

Because of the great barriers faced by the Latin American idiosyncrasy – that define a process that, although it was accelerated as a direct effect of the global pandemic generated by COVID-19, did not manage to consolidate enough to overcome what can put at risk any Edge infrastructure development.

The main challenges are:

• Business technology culture.
• Understanding of interconnection in Latin America
• Integral development of a solution

The technological culture at the corporate level is a barrier that not only discourages investments in edge infrastructure but also makes markets behave in a static way, regarding the continuous progression of communication and technology, new markets and products seem to be slowed down or paused to be provided in Latin America and what maintains this corporate practice is that the user is already used to price over quality.

The tendency of the Latin American user is that when acquiring internet services, it is understood as an electric energy service, that is to say, that it consists of a fixed point without any variation and the quality is measured only by the continuity of service, but the perspective must change, users should be more self-critical with parameters such as assured contracted transfer rates regardless of the time of day, network coverage and flexible contracts oriented to quality and not quantity.

This could certainly be ensured by an Edge infrastructure, and an end-user could tell the difference between a service connected to an Edge node to a common node, based on speed and availability of content.

Additionally, a second factor must be taken into account in this cultural transformation, and that is the knowledge of the communications infrastructure, to the vast majority of customers it is completely transparent, the location of the infrastructure or place in the cloud, the service is the same which plays as a big mistake, there are inherent risks to it and therefore different levels of service, which again are marked by the price war rather than the real need of the customer.

What is the digital divide in Latin America?

The service provider must start evaluating what it can provide differentiating it from a simple internet connection. Whether it is distributed through the cloud or the content generated by the user; at this point, the panorama becomes even more challenging, since with a young and barely developing market such as the Latin American one, the need for a new Edge infrastructure of physical and virtual type, is far from being able to be boosted.

On the other hand, network interconnection plays a significant role in the development of Edge technologies, because in Latin American countries there is a high degree of complexity to deploy interstate fiber or high traffic density infrastructure due to the characteristics of each territory. Even this problem is continuously circumvented in population centers, since the geography in which most LATAM cities are located, plays against any deployment, and makes the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure barely viable.

Therefore, places that comply with good installation characteristics continue to be saturated with network components, putting at risk the resilience of the network; two examples could be used where this happens, the first is the deployment of antennas and the other is the location of Data Centers, which tend to have energy and space access facilities. But it impacts the expansion of connectivity capacity, which limits the population of the network around it, creating communication islands that will be continuously limited to the availability of connectivity.

How to reduce the digital gaps in the region?

As a result of these digital and infrastructure gaps arises the need for a comprehensive solution, since finding solutions from the perspective of a Datacenter that manages and supplies the environments, makes its shortcomings in the objectivity of connectivity decrease, as a result, the efforts to promote Edge infrastructures are insufficient. In addition, a vision focused on connecting networks without considering the content, the place where it should be hosted, and then the point where it needs to be distributed, completely limits the solution.

It is important that companies abandon their position that customers come with their problems and the provider delivers the solution, this unilateral path must be fought, since it has been fully identified that service providers and customers do not have full certainty of the real need for the solution, since the requirement in most cases is completely alien to the operational core of the customer, therefore the result is overestimated or underestimated, and there is no choice but to learn from the mistake.

What strategies can be proposed to contribute to digital transformation in Latin America?

For some companies, the effort in proposing this type of infrastructure deployment leads to having to propose new paradigms and methods for service delivery; since its inception has been the operational flag of EdgeUno, a full focus on quality, connectivity, user integration with content, and easy access within the technological environment.

As well as breaking traditional schemes where large infrastructures were considered the only solution, to integrate a decentralized and customized solution, with the added value of the total abolition of the commercial concept where a high speed is assured to any content, which is not entirely accurate and depends directly on the physical infrastructure and the negotiation of the network.

In addition, the service is focused on the customer’s needs and completely overshadows the widespread marketing exercise of hiring hundreds of megabytes of connectivity, which in turn is shared with many users giving the feeling that you will always need more, to elucidate that on the contrary you need is the same, but of better quality.

EdgeUno has created these dedicated network segments that guarantee the quality of service and fully meet the service expectations of our users. Based on our experience, the first approach to break the current trend for the edge market is an adaptation exercise that brings together, includes, and integrates network players, content owners, internet providers, and end users as an ecosystem and not as isolated players.

It is not magic. The concept of IoT is based on devices that work with AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Big Data (massive amount of data provided by users on social media, websites, etc.), which are interconnected, collecting, analyzing, and learning about our lifestyles. When all this started, it was like teaching a child to walk, think and organize everything he saw or heard.

Do you remember the world before the internet? There are fewer and fewer people who remember what it was like. The world worked differently. We wrote letters when we missed someone, rented movies, searched, and studied at the library, played video games like Pac-Man in an arcade or on a console, or called someone from a landline.

Technology has come a long way and gone through many changes in the last 30 years, most of the biggest changes coming in the last 10 years. Today everything is connected, and all the answers are in your hands. The concept of privacy has also evolved along with technology. Every interaction we have on the internet leaves a trace, and not only on the internet, but we are also being filmed and monitored all the time no matter where we are. There is no way to hide.

If you do not know about Alexa or Siri yet, chances are you will very soon. And maybe they will become friends because of the interactions you will have together. Let’s look now to understand what this all means.

What is a Smart Card?

Smart Cards allow devices to be identified and allow connectivity between them. Perhaps you are using one of those to read this article if you have a smartphone in your hands. If you have used an EMV chip card (this is explained below) to pay a bill or make a bank transaction, or by connecting your smartwatch, to open a hotel room door where you are or allow entry into a building.

What is an EMV chip?

An EMV (Europay, Mastercard, and Visa) Chip is a processor that is housed inside a Smart Card, this technology provides security and allows data storage. As the name says, this chip was developed by Europay, Mastercard, and Visa.

What is wearable technology?

It can be a watch, a ring, a shirt, a shoe, a belt, glasses, or anything that can be connected to a device. What are you using now? Maybe a Smartwatch to read your emails, messages, receive calls, surf the internet, count steps and heartbeats, pay your bills, and other banking transactions.

How does technology shape our human identity?

Sensors are in various devices to detect your voice, face, iris of the eye, fingerprints, or the palm of your hand. Each human being is different, the biometric characteristics of each body are unique. Technology already knows this and uses it to identify us. These systems have more security than a password.

What is a Beacon and what is it used for?

Beacons are small devices that emit short-range Bluetooth signals, these signals can be received by other types of devices and establish communication. When the pandemic was just starting, several biosecurity measures were established, one of which consisted of measuring the temperature of people who entered a closed place. Today, in some places, they have adapted this measure with a camera with an integrated sensor that measures your temperature automatically, you can also see your photo and other details.

Beacon devices serve to attract the attention of consumers and thus organize the products in the store as convenient. When you walk through a shopping center, this sensor will detect all the spaces of a store or corridors where people hardly ever walk and where the store has more daily traffic.

What is the technology maturity level (TRLs)?

The level of maturity of the technology or TRL – Technology Readiness Levels is a hierarchical scale that goes from 1 to 9 and organizes the technology according to its degree of difficulty. The more difficult it is to develop, the larger the number on this scale, and of course the more difficult it is to do. Technological maturity is the end state of digital transformation and the state that companies aspire to achieve.

What is M2M – Machine to Machine?

Machine to Machine is about communication between machines without human intervention. This form of communication brought a great revolution, it was a highly discussed topic since, to achieve this connection between one machine and another, artificial intelligence plays a particularly important role. Are there limits to technology? No one knows, but we can be sure that it advances exponentially over the years. A clear example of this is the Metaverse. The metaverse is a reality and there are many Metaverses in development and creation. Do you want to know a little more about that? Find more information about the Metaverse here.

What is the IoT ecosystem?

The IoT ecosystem is the interaction between machines, connectivity, Big Data, platforms, and applications that use Artificial Intelligence. All these factors work together to provide connectivity in all the devices we use every day, which collect, process, and exchange information.

Organizations that care about copyright and standardization

When creating or developing an application, functionality, or tool, it is necessary to register that product to avoid illegal copies and prove who is the legitimate owner of that patent. For that, some organizations take the option of copyrighting. These companies also investigate whether the idea, product, or technology already exists or has already been registered. If this is not the case, the owner can register it and claim it as their own. In some cases, it is just to help standardize a product, program, device, etc.

Some of those organizations are:

• INPI – National Institute of Industrial Property
• WIPO / WIPO – World Intellectual Property Organization
• PCT – Patent Cooperation Treaty
• CUP – Paris Union Convention
• TIA – Telecommunications Industry Association
• Wi-Fi Alliance
• IPSO – Internet Protocol for Smart Objects

What is the biggest challenge in IoT?

1. Connectivity: One of the biggest challenges facing IoT is connectivity, providing Internet to each device to achieve a stable and fast connection. In some places in Latin America, where there is no internet connection, or if there is, it is expensive and not accessible to the entire population. According to this, 5G technology can be an alternative for this connectivity problem. Read more about 5G technology here.
2. Administration: It is necessary to manage all the information received by the devices, control access, and supervise all the technologies used in the process.
3. New languages and applications: It is important to develop programming languages to keep up with the changes in technology.
4. Standardization: Some specifications and characteristics of IoT technologies need to be standardized so that all equipment can connect. The idea is to have technology without a closed code that can give access and connectivity to all the equipment.
5. Security: Ensuring the security of users and their information is a factor that still needs development, revision, and standardization.
6. Protection laws: As important as security is ensuring that the data is protected by laws to prevent theft such as intellectual property, patents, and new trademarks.

What opportunities does the Internet of Things provide?

1. E-Commerce: Electronic commerce is the new way to sell, buy and deliver any product or service. With the pandemic, this type of consumption grew a lot.
2. Monitoring: At this time there are many tools supported by IoT, which help monitor: health, energy, sanitation, smart buildings and houses, smart transportation, surveillance and security, environment, agribusiness, robotics, etc. All this becomes a reality after the mandatory confinement in the COVID-19 pandemic.

What are the IoT threats?

1. Information security: Is all our data protected when we connect to the internet? Is it possible to trust a site, application, or device? There is no guarantee of it. However, technology is here to stay, and the best option is to trust that the best is being done and implement security measures against our data being compromised.
2. Redundancy of Connectivity: Are we sure that everything is connected all the time? Online, on time, full time? Probably not. Some links have redundancies if they fail at some point, sometimes to re-establish that connectivity again takes much longer than expected. An example is submarine cables. If one of them is cut or interrupted, recovery can take a few days or sometimes weeks.

Are you living online or offline? Even when you are offline, do you keep thinking about how to put the best moments on social networks? Do you live real moments in your life? If not, do you do this quest in virtual life? Do you use technology to improve your work, studies, and leisure?

There is no certain answer for that, the truth is that we live in a world where technology grows and develops day by day and we have no way to run away from it. However, finding the right balance in our lives is the challenge to enjoy what modern life can offer us.