April 19, 2025
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Seamless migration: Securely transitioning giant IoT fleets to AWS

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Seamless migration: Securely transitioning giant IoT fleets to AWS


Giant-scale IoT fleet migrations to the cloud symbolize one of the crucial advanced technical transformations that organizations face right this moment. Whereas the advantages of cloud migration are clear, the trail to profitable implementation requires cautious planning and execution. In a earlier weblog put up we elaborated on key causes emigrate to AWS IoT Core. On this weblog put up, we’ll share a confirmed technique for transitioning IoT fleets with a whole bunch of hundreds of thousands of units to AWS IoT Core, addressing frequent challenges, outlining a particular migration situation, and delving into the AWS IoT Core options that facilitate advanced migrations.

Challenges with self-managed IoT messaging brokers

Many organizations start their IoT journey with self-managed messaging brokers. Whereas this strategy affords preliminary management and adaptability, it usually turns into more and more difficult as gadget fleets increase. Understanding these challenges is essential earlier than embarking on a cloud migration journey.

Excessive prices

The monetary impression of sustaining and working self-managed IoT infrastructure extends far past primary internet hosting prices. Organizations often battle with inefficient capability planning, requiring devoted engineering groups to handle infrastructure. These groups should continually stability competing priorities throughout completely different departments whereas sustaining system reliability. The overhead prices of monitoring, safety, and compliance add one other layer of complexity to the monetary equation.

Compute matching

One of the crucial demanding features of managing IoT infrastructure is matching compute assets to workload calls for. Peak utilization durations require extra capability to take care of efficiency, whereas low-usage durations end in wasteful useful resource allocation. This problem turns into significantly acute when managing international deployments, the place utilization patterns differ by area and time zone. Organizations usually discover themselves both over-provisioning assets to make sure reliability or risking efficiency points throughout sudden utilization spikes. The demand additionally varies relying on the part of improvement: There are completely different utilization patterns throughout the Proof of Idea (PoC) part in distinction to the utilization at scale.

Unsolved safety challenges

Safety presents maybe probably the most crucial problem in large-scale IoT deployments. Managing hundreds of thousands of related units requires subtle safety protocols, together with certificates administration, real-time risk detection, replace mechanisms, and safe knowledge transmission. As regulatory necessities evolve, organizations should repeatedly replace their safety practices whereas sustaining uninterrupted service. This turns into more and more advanced as gadget fleets develop and geographic distribution expands.

Sluggish innovation

Maybe probably the most important hidden price of self-managed brokers is their impression on innovation. Engineering groups spend appreciable time sustaining current infrastructure somewhat than creating new options or bettering buyer experiences. This upkeep burden usually results in delayed product launches and missed market alternatives, affecting the group’s aggressive place.

Buyer situation and necessities

Let’s contemplate a migration situation that demonstrates how even advanced IoT environments can efficiently transition to AWS IoT Core.

System architecture diagram showing IoT device connectivity flow. Left side shows >10M devices connected daily to an on-premises hosting environment with no over-the-air updates possible. Devices connect via MQTT/MQTTS to a self-managed MQTT broker and DNS server. The middle section shows backend services (70-100 instances per service) using MQTT's shared subscriptions, with multiple services labeled from Service A to Service X. The right side shows consumer interactions through an API gateway, with three user types: App users, Support, and Internal staff. The entire system is labeled as having >80 backend services.

Determine 1: Buyer situation earlier than the migration

Structure

Think about a buyer with the next setup, visualized in Determine 1:

  • 10 million units: Connecting day by day from varied places worldwide.
  • On-premises resolution: Units initially connect with an on-premises dealer and backend companies that encompass the logic for the shoppers like inside or assist functions.
  • DNS Server: Leveraged for connecting to the self-managed MQTT dealer.
  • 80+ backend companies: Distributed microservices structure with 20-100 cases per service.
  • API Gateway: Consuming functions work together with backend companies by way of an API gateway.

Technical necessities for the brand new resolution

The brand new resolution should meet stringent technical necessities to make sure a seamless transition:

  • Zero-touch gadget updates: The complete gadget fleet should transition with out firmware modifications or handbook interventions, as discipline updates are usually not possible throughout the anticipated migration timelines. That is thought of one of the crucial difficult migration requirement.
  • Protocol compatibility: Seamless assist for each MQTT3 and MQTT5 protocols is crucial, because the gadget fleet consists of a number of generations of {hardware} operating completely different protocol variations.
  • Superior message distribution: Backend companies require shared subscription capabilities to take care of environment friendly load balancing and guarantee constant message processing throughout service cases.

AWS IoT Core options for advanced migrations

AWS IoT Core affords a collection of options particularly designed to assist difficult migrations just like the one described above.

AWS IoT Core operates on a shared accountability mannequin that defines safety and operational boundaries. AWS manages and secures the underlying infrastructure, together with bodily knowledge facilities, service upkeep, and repair availability. Prospects stay accountable for securing their functions, implementing device-level safety, managing certificates, and creating their enterprise logic on high of AWS IoT Core.

Diagram showing six core components of AWS IoT services with their icons and descriptions. From left to right: 1) Identity service (shield icon) - Manages authorization of devices and provision unique identities at scale; 2) Device gateway (cloud icon) - Fully manages connectivity optimized for IoT workloads; 3) Message broker (circular arrow icon) - Provides reliable and fast communication across your IoT fleet; 4) Rules engine (gears icon) - Ingests large amounts of IoT data at low cost, pre-processes it, and makes it available to 20+ services for analytics, reporting, and visualization; 5) Device shadow (wind turbine icon) - Understands and controls the status of your device at any time; 6) Registry (database icon) - Defines and catalogs device for easy use by AWS services.

Determine 2: AWS IoT Core options

Right here’s a take a look at some key capabilities (highlighted companies are significantly related to the client structure):

Key options for difficult migrations

AWS IoT Core affords a sturdy set of options designed to simplify advanced IoT fleet migrations and tackle frequent challenges when upgrading to a managed AWS IoT Core resolution. A key side of a phased migration is that these methods allow the backend companies and units emigrate at their very own tempo, minimizing downtime and disruption. Let’s discover in additional element some important capabilities related for the migration situation depicted within the buyer situation part:

  • Customized area: This functionality stands out as an important characteristic for large-scale migrations. It eliminates one of the crucial important migration obstacles by permitting organizations to make use of their current domains with AWS IoT Core endpoints. This implies units can proceed working with their present configurations, considerably decreasing the chance and complexity of the migration course of. This comes on high of the flexibility for purchasers to configure TLS insurance policies and variations in addition to the protocols and ports for the used endpoints.
  • MQTT assist (MQTT 3 and MQTT 5): In heterogeneous IoT deployments, units usually make the most of completely different MQTT variations. AWS IoT Core helps each MQTT 3.1.1 and MQTT 5, enabling interoperability between units utilizing completely different MQTT variations. This ensures a clean migration, with out forcing you to improve all units to the newest MQTT normal concurrently.
  • Carry your individual certificates authority (CA): Sustaining current safety infrastructure is essential throughout a migration. AWS IoT Core lets you register your current CA with AWS IoT Core, establishing a series of belief between your units and AWS IoT Core with out requiring units to re-enroll with new certificates. This eliminates the necessity for certificates rotation throughout migration.

In current months, AWS IoT Core has launched new options that additional improve the migration course of and enhance general performance:

  • Message enrichment with registry metadata: Propagate gadget attributes saved within the registry with each message, eliminating the necessity for AWS Lambda features or compute cases to retrieve this info from different sources.
  • Factor-to-connection affiliation: A factor is an entry within the registry that incorporates attributes that describe a tool. Insurance policies decide which operations a tool can carry out in AWS IoT. This new characteristic permits factor insurance policies variables for units with any shopper ID format, resolving a crucial migration blocker the place shopper IDs didn’t conform to AWS IoT Core’s factor naming restrictions. As soon as configured, permits a number of shopper IDs per certificates and factor, offering flexibility with out altering current gadget configurations or ID codecs.
  • Consumer ID in just-in-time registration (JITR): Carry out further safety validations throughout JITR by receiving shopper ID info.
  • Customized shopper certificates validation: Allows customized certificates validation by way of AWS Lambda features throughout gadget connection, supporting integration with exterior validation companies like On-line Certificates Standing Protocol (OCSP) responders for enhanced safety controls.
  • Customized authentication with X.509 shopper certificates: Prolong certificates validation by way of an AWS Lambda perform permitting to additionally specify insurance policies for the related units at runtime. This enhances the beforehand current Customized Authorizer characteristic which affords an analogous strategy for JWT tokens and username/password credentials.
  • ALPN TLS extension removing: The Utility Layer Protocol Negotiation (ALPN) extension is not required within the Transport Layer Safety (TLS) handshake, eradicating a barrier for gadget with lack of ALPN assist.

These options supply better flexibility, safety, and effectivity for managing your IoT fleet in AWS IoT Core. By leveraging these key options, you may decrease the complexities and dangers related to migrating giant IoT fleets, guaranteeing a seamless transition to a contemporary, scalable, and safe cloud-based IoT platform.

Goal structure

The goal structure entails transitioning the ten million units to connect with AWS IoT Core through Amazon Route 53 (or any DNS server). The backend companies, API gateway, and consuming functions stay the identical.

Architecture diagram showing end-to-end IoT system flow. On the left, 10M IoT devices are represented by a grid of microchip icons. These connect through Amazon Route 53 (purple shield icon) to AWS IoT Core (green cloud icon) in the center. The right side shows backend services (~100s total) including Service A with ~10s instances, Service B and Service X with 100s instances each. These services connect through an API gateway to three types of consumers: App users (shown with mobile device and user icons), Support team (shown with tools and user icons), and Internal users (shown with building and user icons). The diagram illustrates a fully cloud-native IoT architecture with AWS services.

Determine 3: Goal structure

Migration technique

The concept is to construct the migration technique based mostly on 5 key pillars designed to make sure a seamless transition. The method begins with sustaining a risk-free strategy by way of cautious planning and testing, whereas maintaining operations managed with thorough documentation and monitoring. The technique emphasizes sustaining a minimal error floor by way of exact execution and validation steps.

Aligned with these technique ideas, we advocate a phased strategy. Every part has particular targets and dependencies, permitting you to rigorously monitor progress and modify your strategy as wanted.

Let’s discover every part intimately, highlighting the rationale behind the alternatives and offering a real-world instance.

Section 0: Preparation

The preparation part units the groundwork for a profitable migration. Throughout this crucial stage, we deal with establishing a bridge between current infrastructure and AWS IoT Core, guaranteeing uninterrupted operations all through the migration course of.

On the coronary heart of this part is the implementation of a republish layer. This important part acts as an middleman, facilitating bidirectional communication between your self-managed dealer and AWS IoT Core. Consider it as constructing a safe tunnel that permits messages to stream seamlessly between each techniques.

Architecture diagram showing IoT system migration to AWS. On the left, 10M IoT devices are represented by a grid of 9 device icons. These connect through Amazon Route 53 (shown by a shield icon) to a self-managed MQTT broker in the center. The broker interfaces with backend services on the right, showing both migrated (Service A migrated) and non-migrated services (Service A and Service B with multiple instances). Above the broker, a 'Republish layers' component containing DTB and BTD blocks connects to AWS IoT Core (shown with cloud icon), which then connects to the migrated Service A. The diagram illustrates a hybrid architecture during cloud migration with both legacy and AWS-migrated components.

Determine 4: Structure of the Preparation Section

The republish layer consists of two major parts:

  • Machine to backend (DTB): This part captures messages from units related to your self-managed dealer and forwards them to AWS IoT Core. By implementing this path first, we are able to start migrating backend companies whereas units keep related to the self-managed dealer.
  • Backend to gadget (BTD): Working in parallel, this part ensures that messages from newly migrated backend companies attain units nonetheless related to the self-managed dealer. This bidirectional functionality maintains system integrity all through the migration course of.

For optimum efficiency, we advocate implementing the republish layer utilizing container companies, comparable to Amazon Elastic Container Service (ECS), or different compute choices based mostly in your particular wants. The code for these parts is simple: subscribing to a subject on a dealer and publishing it to the opposite dealer. The container service deployment permits the scaling up and down of cases to accommodate the necessities of the migration.

Section 1: Backend migration

This part focuses on migrating backend companies from the self-managed dealer to AWS IoT Core. Let’s perceive how we leverage the republishing layer emigrate the backends step-by-step with out shedding any messages.

Machine to backend republishing layer

Throughout backend migration, sustaining constant message distribution by way of shared subscriptions is crucial to not overload any of the present or new subscribers. The republishing layer integrates seamlessly with current cases utilizing the identical shared subscription sample, guaranteeing balanced message consumption. As messages stream by way of this layer to AWS IoT Core and migrated backend cases, we rigorously management the introduction of every part to forestall system overload. This measured strategy permits gradual migration whereas preserving the unique message distribution patterns and system stability.

Backend to gadget republishing layer

The Backend to gadget (BTD) Republishing layer is ready and configured on the Amazon ECS cluster degree, establishing connections to AWS IoT Core for message consumption. In contrast to the Machine to Backend layer, all BTD republishing cases may be deployed concurrently since every occasion handles distinct gadget subjects, eliminating the chance of system overload. This allows quicker backend migration whereas sustaining dependable message supply to units.

Architecture diagram showing IoT system migration with republish layers. On the left, 10M IoT devices (shown as a 3x3 grid of microchip icons) connect through Amazon Route 53 (purple shield icon) to a self-managed MQTT broker. The broker connects to backend services on the right, showing both non-migrated services (Service A with two instances and Service B with three instances) and a migrated Service A in AWS. A central 'Republish layers' component (orange box) contains DTB (Device-to-Backend, showing one instance) and BTD (Backend-to-Device, showing three instances) modules that bridge between the self-managed MQTT broker and AWS IoT Core (green cloud icon). This architecture illustrates a migration strategy using republish layers to maintain service continuity.

Determine 5: Structure visualizing the Backend to Machine Republishing Layer for the migration of service A

Throughout backend migration, establishing an AWS IoT Core rule to persist messages to Amazon Easy Storage Service (S3) serves as an important security internet. This message backup permits restoration and reprocessing if sudden points happen throughout the transition, guaranteeing no gadget messages are misplaced.

With the republishing layer in place and totally examined, the migration course of follows a scientific sample:

  1. Introduce the primary DTB republishing occasion
  2. Confirm message stream by way of this occasion to AWS IoT Core and again to units
  3. Take away the corresponding unmigrated backend occasion
  4. Progress incrementally by way of all backend cases

This methodical strategy facilitates a clean transition of all backend companies to AWS IoT Core. The identical technique extends to different platform companies, sustaining operational continuity all through the method.

AWS IoT architecture diagram showing migration of backend traffic. Left side shows 10M IoT devices connecting through Amazon Route 53 to a self-managed MQTT broker. The broker connects to republish layers containing DTB and BTD components, which interface with AWS IoT Core. AWS IoT Core connects to backend services including Service A and Service B that have been migrated. A note indicates 'No more backend traffic to self-managed MQTT broker', highlighting the traffic flow changes.

Determine 6: Structure visualizing the completion of the backend migration to AWS IoT

Section 2: Machine migration

This part requires specific consideration to element, because it immediately impacts end-user expertise and gadget connectivity.

The important thing to a profitable gadget migration lies in implementing a weighted DNS routing technique (or any routing technique of your alternative), with a service like Amazon Route 53 (or any DNS server of your alternative). This strategy permits for granular management over the transition:

  1. Start with a small proportion (usually 1-2%) of visitors routed to AWS IoT Core.
  2. Monitor gadget connections, message supply, potential throttling limits exceeded, and error charges counting on AWS IoT metrics and dimensions in Amazon CloudWatch.
  3. Steadily enhance the proportion based mostly on efficiency metrics.
  4. Keep the flexibility to shortly revert visitors if wanted.

Throughout this part, we leverage AWS IoT Core’s just-in-time registration capabilities to routinely provision assets for connecting units. This automation considerably reduces the operational overhead of managing large-scale migrations.

AWS IoT architecture diagram showing migration of device traffic. Left side shows 10M IoT devices connecting through Route 53 with weighted routing. 100% of traffic now routes directly to AWS IoT Core, bypassing the self-managed MQTT broker. The broker still connects to republish layers (DTB and BTD) which interface with AWS IoT Core. AWS IoT Core connects to migrated backend services (Service A and Service B). A note indicates 'No more devices traffic to self-managed MQTT broker', highlighting the new traffic flow.

Determine 7: Structure visualizing the Machine Migration

After finishing gadget migration, the republishing layer stays energetic, persevering with to ahead messages to the self-managed dealer. This design gives a crucial rollback path – ought to any points come up, visitors may be instantly reverted to the self-managed dealer whereas sustaining full message supply between units and backend companies.

Section 3: Cleanup

The cleanup part marks the ultimate step within the migration journey. The republishing layer naturally phases out first, making a clear isolation of the self-managed dealer. As soon as monitoring techniques and dependent processes verify zero visitors to the self-managed dealer, and all techniques function easily by way of AWS IoT Core, the dealer’s decommissioning completes the migration.

AWS IoT final architecture showing complete migration. On the left, 10M devices connect through Amazon Route 53 to AWS IoT Core. AWS IoT Core interfaces with backend services (Service A and Service B). These services connect through an API gateway to different consumer groups on the right: App users, Support, and Internal teams. The self-managed MQTT broker and republish layers have been completely removed, showing the fully migrated architecture.

Determine 8: Structure visualizing the completed migration matching the goal structure

This measured sequence ensures a swish transition whereas sustaining system stability all through the ultimate migration part.

Conclusion

Organizations can efficiently migrate their giant IoT fleet to AWS IoT Core by following the outlined phased strategy and adhering to the 5 strategic pillars. This sample reduces danger, and gives failback mechanisms as protected guards all through every migration step. The structured development by way of preparation, backend migration, gadget migration, and cleanup phases ensures a methodical and safe transition, permitting each backend companies and units emigrate at their very own tempo whereas sustaining operational stability.

For a extra detailed and interactive rationalization of this migration journey, we invite you to look at our complete walkthrough on the AWS IoT YouTube channel: Half 1 and Half 2. These movies present further insights and sensible demonstrations of the ideas lined on this weblog put up. To find out about prospects and companions which have migrated their resolution to AWS IoT, please take a look at this weblog put up.

Keep in mind, a profitable IoT migration is not only about transferring techniques – it’s about constructing a basis for future scalability whereas guaranteeing enterprise continuity all through the transition.

Concerning the Authors

Andrea Sichel is a Principal Specialist IoT Options Architect at Amazon Internet Providers, the place he helps prospects navigate their cloud adoption journey within the IoT area. Pushed by curiosity and a customer-first mindset, he works on creating modern options whereas staying on the forefront of cloud know-how. Andrea enjoys tackling advanced challenges and serving to organizations assume large about their IoT transformations. Outdoors of labor, Andrea coaches his son’s soccer workforce and pursues his ardour for images. When not behind the digicam or on the soccer discipline, you’ll find him swimming laps to remain energetic and keep a wholesome work-life stability.

Katja-Maja Kroedel is a passionate Advocate for Databases and IoT at AWS, the place she helps prospects leverage the complete potential of cloud applied sciences. With a background in pc engineering and in depth expertise in IoT and databases, she works carefully with prospects to supply steerage on cloud adoption, migration, and technique in these areas. Katja is obsessed with modern applied sciences and enjoys constructing and experimenting with cloud companies like AWS IoT Core and AWS RDS.

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