Conclusions - Andrea Finardi Iot simulations with Cisco Packet Tracer

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Conclusions
As discussed in the previous chapter 5 the overall conclusion on the thesis work was
positive, as the IoT simulations were delivered and students of the Internet of Thing
course were able to work on them familiarizing with the IoT simulations.
Conclusions below cover both the deliverables and the methodology of the thesis work.
Regarding purely the IoT exercises, the research question of the thesis was answered
by analyzing the Cisco Packet Tracer, finding if suitable for the simulations, and by build-
ing the IoT automations with it.
As also requested by the IoT course lecturer, the IoT cases were built to offer the stu-
dents both a pre-configured environment and also a showcase of IoT simulations for
them to immediately understand how Cisco Packet Tracer works, avoiding them to spend
time on setting up a network and basic simulations.
As mentioned multiple time in the thesis document, the IoT simulations were the first step
for practical classes in the Internet of Things course. The Cisco Packet Tracer exercises
should be treated as a starting point for future and more complex IoT simulations in
Metropolia University of Applied Science IoT courses.
Future studies could in fact cover the possibility to integrate Cisco Packet Tracer cases
with more complex IoT automations by utilizing real microcontroller and sensors hard-
ware but also to expand the four delivered exercises with more complex automations.
One could assume that, as Cisco will release more and more IoT courses over the com-
ing years and, Cisco Packet Tracer tool will be updated in the future with more IoT func-
tionalities.
Future suitability of the tool and also a comparison with other available IoT simulators
could be also ground for future studies, as in fact, in this thesis work no comparison
research was made with other available IoT simulators such: IBM, NetSim or NodeRed.
Conclusions on the methodology should be separated between the process to conduct
the thesis works and the actual implementation of it.
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As explained in the chapter 3 this thesis work was conducted as a project, first gathering
the requirements, then developing the automations and last introducing them to the stu-
dents and gathering the feedback.
The entire process was successful as it was proven to be reliable, it had a strict timeline
to follow and in multiple instances the feedback from the IoT course lecturer helped to
steer it. Dividing the thesis work into phases also helped to track down properly the pro-
gress while making sure to respect the needed deadline.
It is advisable, for future studies with a similar research questions, to utilize the same
methodology.
Regarding the implementation phase, when exercises were introduced to the students,
a more careful planning should be done in future implementations of the IoT courses. As
largely explained in the previous chapter 5 the conclusion was that not enough time in
the course was reserved for the practical section, making it hard for the students to really
spent time on familiarizing with the IoT components.
To be mentioned also is that a direct contact with the students was beneficial for them in
order to have a person to help them during the exercises. It was also beneficial for the
thesis prospective as a direct work in the class and the feedback gathering was very
helpful for drawing the conclusion of the thesis work.
Future studies could also help to re-structure the IoT course, synchronizing exercise per-
haps in different phases of the course and having them going hand-to-hand with the
theoretical part and not only in a concentrated manner.
Concluding, as also reflected in the students feedback, the thesis work was successful
by supporting the practical classes of the Internet of Thing course. For future implemen-
tations of the course changes in the agenda are advised, along with studies to explore
different IoT simulator technologies and feasibility to utilize real IoT hardware.
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