When the alarm of your smartphone rings in the morning, you wake up and tap it to stop the alarm which causes your geyser to be switched on automatically. The smart mirror in your bathroom shows the day's weather and also indicates the level of water in your overhead tank. After you take some groceries from your refrigerator for making breakfast, it recognises the shortage of stock in it and places an order for the supply of fresh grocery items. When you step out of your house and lock the door, all lights, fans, geysers and AC machines get switched off automatically. On your way to office, your car warns you about traffic congestion ahead and suggests an alternative route, and if you are late for a meeting, it sends a message to your office accordingly. In the context of emerging communication technologies, which one of the following terms best applies to the above scenario ?
- (a) Border Gateway Protocol
- (b) Internet of Things ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) Internet Protocol
- (d) Virtual Private Network
Why the answer is (b)
• The scenario — phone, geyser, mirror, refrigerator, locks, car and office all sensing, communicating and acting automatically over the internet — is the Internet of Things (IoT), a network of connected physical devices with sensors and software — option (b).
• Border Gateway Protocol (a) routes traffic between internet networks; Internet Protocol (c) addresses packets; a VPN (d) creates a secure tunnel — none describes device-to-device automation.
• Hence option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Border Gateway Protocol
- BGP is an internet routing protocol.
- (c) Internet Protocol
- IP is the packet-addressing protocol, not device automation.
- (d) Virtual Private Network
- A VPN is a secure connection, not connected devices.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2018, held on 3 June 2018. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.