This comprehensive text/reference presents a broad-ranging overview of device connectivity in distributed computing environments, supporting the vision of an Internet of Things (IoT). Expert perspectives are provided by an international selection of researchers from both industry and academia, covering issues of communication, security, privacy, interoperability, networking, access control, and authentication. In addition to discussing state-of-the-art research and practice, the book includes corporate analyses offering a balanced view of benefits and limitations, and numerous case studies illustrating the challenges and practical solutions.