Well, to the uninitiated, IoT or Internet of Things is all about connecting everyday objects or things together, using a common medium of communication (in this case, the internet) for exchange of data. I know it doesn't sound much, but today, IoT is practically being implemented everywhere around us; from wearable devices, smartphones, home appliances, such as refrigerators, air conditioners, to vehicles and heavy machinery, and much more! Gartner predicts that by the year 2020, there will be an estimated 26 billion devices connected using IoT, and this number is set to grow even further, as IoT adoption becomes mainstream. But what exactly is IoT and how do you build it? Here's a quick look at some of the basic building blocks required in order to get started with IoT:

• Things: To begin with, any form of IoT comprises end user devices that we use or leverage to perform some of our day-to-day tasks. These devices, or things, can be anything and everything, including simple electronic devices, such as smartphones, wearables, alarm clocks, light bulbs, to washing machines, garage doors, vehicles, ships, and the list just goes on!
• Sensors: Sensors are devices that can be incorporated within things that are used to capture or supply our data. Some of the most commonly used sensors are IR sensors, moisture sensors, gas and pressure sensors, and so on. Sensors are not designed to process data on their own. They simply collect and push the data out to one or more processors. For example, a light sensor monitoring whether a light bulb is switched on or off, and so on.
• Processors: Processors are the brains of the IoT system. Their main function is to process the data that is captured by the sensors. This processing can be based on certain triggers or can be performed close to real time, as well. A single processor can be used to connect and process data from multiple sensors, as well. The most commonly used type of processors include microcontrollers, embedded controllers, and so on.
• Gateways: Gateways are special devices that are responsible for collecting and routing data, processed by one or more processors, to IoT applications for further analysis. A gateway can collect, aggregate, and send data over the internet, either as streams or in batches, depending on its configuration and connectivity options.
• Application: Once data from various gateways is collected, it needs to be further analyzed to form meaningful insights, so that appropriate actions on the respective operation can be performed. This can be achieved by leveraging one or more applications, such as an industrial control hub, or even a home automation system. For example, an application can be used to remotely trigger a light bulb to switch on, once the ambient light in the room starts to fade, and so on.

With this essential information in mind, let's look at a few key AWS services you can use to get started with your very own IoT on the cloud.