MsM: A microservice middleware for smart WSN-based IoT application

• Published in: Journal of network and computer applications 2019-10, Vol.144, p.138-154
• Main Authors: Benayache, Ayoub, Bilami, Azeddine, Barkat, Sami, Lorenz, Pascal, Taleb, Hafnaoui
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Artificial neural network; Computer Science; Internet of things; Microservice design; Middleware; Monolithic design; Other; Wireless sensor network
• ISSN: 1084-8045; 1095-8592
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jnca.2019.06.015

Actually, wireless sensor networks represent a substantial part in IoT. However, their limitation requires a special consideration in IoT applications. For their integration with the internet, it is necessary to adapt such networks using different middleware, with taking into account various challenges such as heterogeneity and interoperability. Previously Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) was the suitable design, but with a better practice, a new design called microservice becomes the leader due to its high performance and its suitability for IoT applications. In this paper, we first survey the most important middleware that have been proposed to handle WSN through IoT. Also, we discuss the most crucial microservices that handle different integration factors by making them supported by the proposed middleware. Our proposal is inspired from artificial neural network architecture to allow dynamic service interaction; it supports unlimited services with a regard to various device capabilities separately of the cloud technologies. Moreover, the evaluation of our design clearly shows that our middleware allows a lightweight WSN integration with IoT regarding to their limitations and requirements.