Digital Twin-Based Zero-Touch Management for IoT

The rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT) requires network automation, to improve management efficiency and reduce manual operations. Zero-touch network is a promising technology for empowering network management automation by creating virtualized networks for software-based solutions. However, the traditional software-defined network (SDN) technology is not suitable for IoT devices, due to its massive, heterogeneous, and distributed characteristics. In this paper, we introduce digital twin technology (DT) into the IoT, and propose a DT modeling method through ontology and knowledge graph technologies, which maps IoT elements in the digital space and provides the advantages of centralized control, device abstraction, and flexible control of management. Then, referring to the conceptual architecture of a zero-touch network, a DT-based zero-touch management framework suitable for IoT is established. Finally, aiming at specific device management and network optimization problems in the IoT, a zero-touch management scheme with digital twin technology as the core and intention as the driver is proposed, and the effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated using an example.