EUtility

Definition

An eUtility (external utility) is a software or hardware product or service. The current definition of eUtility is deliberately broad, to allow for unforeseen future services and products that will be incorporated in future types of NoTs yet to be defined.

Overview

Basic properties, assumptions, recommendations, and general statements about eUtility include:

1. eUtilities execute processes or feed data into the overall workflow of a NoT.

2. eUtilities could be acquired off-the-shelf from 3rd parties.

3. eUtilities may include databases, mobile devices, misc. software or hardware systems, clouds, computers, CPUs, etc. . . .

4. eUtilities, such as clouds, provide computing power that aggregators may not have.

5. A human may be viewed as a eUtility. A human is sometimes considered as a "thing" in public discourse related to IoT.

6. Data supplied by an eUtility may be weighted.

7. An eUtility may be counterfeit. . . .

8. Non-human eUtilities may have Device_IDs; Device_IDs may be crucial for identification and authentication.

9. Security and reliability are concerns for all eUtilities.

Source

• "Overview" section: NIST Special Publication 800-183, at 9-10.