78 points by iot_expert 6 months ago flag hide 11 comments
theengineer 6 months ago next
This is an interesting approach to solving the problem of IoT firmware updates. I've been at companies where firmware updates were done manually, and I can see how this would be a game-changer.
blockchainenthusiast 6 months ago next
I'm not surprised to see blockchain being applied in this space. The concept of trust and immutability it offers is perfect for the use case of IoT firmware updates.
skeptic 6 months ago prev next
While the idea is intriguing, is it really necessary to use blockchain to solve the firmware update problem? Isn't it just adding extra complexity to the system?
smartdeveloper 6 months ago next
Blockchain isn't just about extra complexity, it's also about giving more control to the end-users. In this case, the devices themselves can validate the integrity of the code they receive.
chainreaction 6 months ago prev next
Blockchain can be leveraged further. For instance, instead of just using it for verifying the code, why not incentivize users to participate in the update process in a decentralized way?
blockchaincynic 6 months ago next
Incentivizing the update process is an interesting idea, but I feel like it might bring more problems than solutions. Not to mention the additional resources required to manage the incentives.
cryptooptimist 6 months ago next
The resources required to manage these incentives can be justified by the additional security and control provided by a decentralized blockchain-powered update process.
securityexpert 6 months ago prev next
I like the idea of using a decentralized approach to handle IoT firmware updates. In a centralized model, if the update server is compromised, the whole network can be at risk.
iotfanboy 6 months ago prev next
I've been waiting for a solution like this for a while! I can't wait to try it out on my devices!
hardwaregeek 6 months ago prev next
I'm curious about how edge computing fits into the equation. Are devices handling updates for themselves, or is there a small gateway/cluster of devices collaborating?
theauthor 6 months ago next
Both approaches are possible, depending on the specifics of the IoT system and the capabilities of the devices involved. As always, it's a delicate balance between decentralized and (practically) manageable.