Overview
ISO/IEC TR 29181-9:2017 - Networking of Everything (NoE) defines the conceptual model, problem statements and networking requirements for integrating diverse networks in Future Networks - with a strong Internet of Things (IoT) perspective. The technical report focuses on networking issues (not device internals or virtual/physical thing association) and describes how disparate networking technologies should interoperate to meet users’ and “things’” service needs.
Key topics and problem statements
This technical report addresses practical networking gaps and the NoE concept by covering:
- Conceptual model and definitions for NoE, including terms such as everything, thing-user, network agent, composite QoS and proximity-defined network (PDN).
- Problems in conventional networking, e.g.:
- static network selection and inconvenient network change
- reconnection issues and unreliable path setup
- separate accounting and inconsistent billing policies
- lack of cooperation among ISPs and inter-service coordination across network types
- limited thing-user centric communications
- Related standardization activities across ISO/IEC JTC1, ITU‑T, IETF, IEEE and oneM2M to align NoE networking needs with existing IoT and Future Networks work.
Technical requirements (high level)
ISO/IEC TR 29181-9 specifies networking requirements from an IoT perspective, including:
- Network transparency - seamless access to appropriate networks regardless of type or location.
- Optimized network performance - composite QoS across instantaneously interconnected networks.
- One universal accounting - harmonized accounting/billing mechanisms across networks and providers.
- Security and privacy - consistent protections for users and things across integrated networks.
- Instantaneous integration - fast, dynamic interconnection of networks to satisfy thing-user requirements.
- Agent, network and integrated functions - functions such as network agents that monitor, coordinate and (re)select optimal networks through negotiation between devices and networks.
Practical applications and who uses this standard
ISO/IEC TR 29181-9 is valuable for:
- Network architects and operators designing multi‑access/Future Network solutions.
- IoT platform developers and system integrators needing guidelines for seamless networking of devices and services.
- Device and chipset vendors implementing network agent capabilities and multi‑network connectivity.
- Service providers and ISPs coordinating inter‑service and unified accounting approaches.
- Standards bodies and researchers aligning IoT and Future Network work.
Use cases include U‑health, spatial collaborative work and other IoT-driven services that require seamless handover, coordinated QoS and cross‑network security.
Related standards and organizations
The report references coordination with existing work from ITU‑T (e.g. Y.2060 series), ISO/IEC JTC1, IETF, IEEE and oneM2M, highlighting NoE’s role in integrating networking techniques across ongoing IoT and Future Network standardization.