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How Raspberry Pi is priming the pump for a new generation of innovation

Participating in the Internet of Things (IoT) might increase the need for a database performance analyzer for identifying performance issues, showing trends while establishing baseline and ensuring SQL servers perform faster, but it’s still one of IT’s hottest topics now.  Every company wants to participate in the Internet of Things with lots of professionals seeking ways of adding IoT skills to their experience. With so many options available for learning IoT, hands-on experience has remained the top way of doing it.

One of the main platforms of learning IoT is Raspberry Pi (RasPi), a popular platform offering a full Linux server within a small platform for the lowest of costs. Raspberry Pi refers to a compute the size of a credit card plugged into a TV or computer monitor and makes use of a mouse and standard keyboard. The capable miniature device allows just about anyone from children to adults to have the ability to explore computing while learning programming in such languages as Python and Scratch. It’s no wonder why it’s pushing innovation for the next generation of IT professionals.

Whatever a desktop PC does, Raspberry Pi does too (for the most part), including Internet browsing, high-definition video playing, spreadsheets, playing games and word processing, among other functions. A major area of difficulty in making the most of RasPi in learning the IoT is choosing the proper projects to begin the process. Around the web are all manner of projects founded on RasPi with some being very ambitious, a number not so ingenious and others great when it comes to understanding RasPi as well as common IoT components.

Pi in the Sky

This is an IoT project that tracks rockets to let you see how high yours is going and where it will land. Through the project you also get a lot of experience with RF and GPS modules of transmission, including temperature sensors. While it’s a great combo, you will definitely see your rocket taking off.

Humidity and temperature sensor

Sometimes you just want to understand the humidity and temperature in something such as a server rack. Anyone starting the RasPi learning process will find the Raspberry Pi Temperature and Humidity Network Monitor a wonderful early step, which is the simplest to use as much as it offers a lot of hands-on skills with network protocols and sensors. Those living in extreme climates will love it.

RasPi Web Server

RasPi is one of the best things to use as a central controller when it comes to low-powered controllers. In such an instructable project as the Raspberry Web Server, it’s possible to create an Apache simple web server on Linux. More advanced projects can be attempted, such as building a humidity and temperature sensor and ensuring it’s communicating back to the RasPi web server created.

RasPi Pirate Box

Since not every IoT project is able to use a web server available publicly, sometimes reporting and controlling traffic should be done on a private network. The Pirate Box uses a WiFi private network and torrent protocols to share data with other PCs. Torrents might not be usable in personal enterprise projects but the Pirate Box RasPi teaches how to set up a private type of WiFi network using a protocol of a higher level that keeps bits seamlessly and securely flowing between stations.

RasPi Music Player

It’s costly to buy a working multi-room system of sound but Raspberry Pi makes this a project to affordably attempt, especially if you intend to bring your children into the RasPi grip. All that’s required is a wireless receiver, wireless streamer, Raspberry Pi plus the Pi Musicbox that brings the magic to life.

Robert Cordray
Robert Cordray
Robert Cordray is a former business consultant and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience and a wide variety of knowledge in multiple areas of the industry. He currently resides in the Southern California area and spends his time helping consumers and business owners alike try to be successful. When he’s not reading or writing, he’s most likely with his beautiful wife and three children.

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Jim Love, Chief Content Officer, IT World Canada

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