LwM2M and oneM2M - not the same thing

Is LwM2M a cut-down version of oneM2M? The question arose in connection with Amazon Web Services (AWS) recent announcement about IoT device management (see link in comments). Before answering that question, it is worth considering the historical context.

LwM2M began life in 2007 as a device management protocol within the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA). Following OMA’s merger with SpecWorks, the protocol was extended to include data model capabilities along with a library of more than 300 objects and resources. As with any standard, adoption took time; in recent years, LwM2M experienced stronger adoption as a data transport protocol on top of #CoAP and non-IP protocols.?

Though the names sound similar, LwM2M is a transport protocol whereas oneM2M is a service layer that makes use of protocols such as LwM2M. In effect, the scope of oneM2M covers a broader set of capabilities. Apart from data transport and data models, a oneM2M implementation provides additional service-enabler capabilities. These include data and device management, access control, enriching data with semantics, notifications, location services, OSS/BSS support, and more.

Since oneM2M was conceived for interoperability, IoT systems designed with oneM2M can include LwM2M as a protocol plug-in component. That means a system architect can integrate LwM2M into a larger IoT system and combine it with other transport protocols, depending on business case and network infrastructure needs. In so doing, the IoT system’s operator can invoke LwM2M for data transport purposes, for device-management capabilities, or for both.?

In answer to the opening question, LwM2M addresses IoT data transport and connection management requirements on the network and device layers. LwM2M is not a cut-down version of oneM2M; the latter is broader in scope and supports IoT applications for distributed IoT systems.?

Follow oneM2M to learn more about open-standard IoT systems and oneM2M technical standards.

#IoT #StandardsMatter #LwM2M, #CoAP