Hands-On Edge Analytics with Azure IoT

IoT systems do not always need to send every decision to the cloud. Hands-On Edge Analytics with Azure IoT explores how data can be processed closer to the devices that generate it—and what that shift means for latency, reliability, privacy, and application design. Colin Dow takes readers from the fundamentals of edge architectures into practical work with sensors, microcontrollers, Microsoft Azure, and connected-device projects.

Start with the architecture, then get hands-on

The opening chapters build a foundation in edge analytics, the components that make an IoT application work, and the communication methods that connect them. Examples range from sensors and boards such as the ESP8266 and Raspberry Pi to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular networks, LoRa, and Sigfox. This context helps readers understand how hardware, connectivity, and analytics fit together.

Bring Azure IoT Edge to real devices

Dow then turns to Microsoft Azure IoT Hub and Azure IoT Edge, including a Raspberry Pi setup and the flow of telemetry from a device. The material also explores MicroPython for edge applications, machine learning in edge environments, and visual recognition through a smart-doorbell project.

Consider security as part of the design

Edge applications involve devices, data, and connections that need protection. The book addresses security and privacy concerns alongside monitoring and auditing, keeping operational questions in view as the projects grow more involved.

For IoT builders and analytics practitioners

This book will interest readers developing or studying connected-device applications, especially those who want to understand the relationship between local processing and cloud services. Its explanations, project-oriented topics, review questions, and further-reading sections provide a structured route through the subject. Basic familiarity with data analytics is useful.

Explore edge computing through the devices, protocols, and Azure tools that bring an IoT application together.