FAQ

How is MoT so much better value than other services?

We optimise our infrastructure to reduce the cost of providing over-the-air updates and device management services, then pass those savings on to you. You can read more in the Why MoT section.

Can I trust that MoT will remain operational and reliable in the coming years?

We do not rely on investors or other unpredictable funding streams to build or provide the MoT service. Instead, we optimised our system to reduce overheads and subsequently have already reached profitability. This allows us to provide our users the confidence they need to build their long-term projects on MoT.

In the event of a cataclysmic and unpredictable event such as an extinction-level meteor strike, we will provide you with the ability to export your data and we will provide an open-source MoT solution for self-hosting.

Can I self-host? Are there discounts for open-source or charitable projects?

We do not currently provide a self-hosting option, nor do we provide discounts for open-source or charitable projects. Instead, we aim to run our core services at the lowest price possible for everyone.

If you feel that you have something particularly worthy of an exception, please contact us and we will give it due consideration.

Is MoT secure?

The Mesh of Things utilises Nebula, a secure, scalable and open-source layer 3 overlay networking tool that uses the Noise Protocol Framework (the same used as the basis of Wireguard and the Signal messaging app) to establish secure connections between devices. Nebula is built by Slack and is used in production to connect thousands of Slack servers together. It has been battle-tested over many years at scale across companies around the world.

What is an over-the-air (OTA) update?

Over-the-air (OTA) updates refer to the process of updating software on a device remotely, without the need for physical access. It has become an integral part of the modern technology landscape, enabling manufacturers and developers to keep their devices up-to-date, secure, and equipped with the latest features.

What is a mesh network?

Traditional networks usually involve a centralised server that connects all devices in a star or tree-like structure. All traffic passes through the centralised server before being relayed to devices. In contrast, a mesh network eliminates the reliance on a single central server by allowing each device to act as a node that can transmit and receive data directly to and from other nodes, creating a robust, scalable, and flexible means of communication.

This decentralised approach provides several advantages:

• Increased reliability: Mesh networks are highly resilient because they do not depend on any centralised service to route traffic. Instead, two devices can communicate with each other directly.
• Improved performance: Mesh networks can optimize data transmission paths by dynamically selecting the most efficient route without any dependency on centralised services. This feature helps reduce latency and congestion, leading to improved network performance and better user experiences.
• Scalability: Mesh networks can easily scale to accommodate a growing number of devices. New nodes can be added without configuration changes to other nodes, making them suitable for both small and large deployments.
• Security: In scenarios where traditional networks may be vulnerable to surveillance or interference, mesh networks provide a more robust and resilient option, ensuring privacy and protection of sensitive information by routing directly to other devices and removing the need for a centralised service that could intercept your traffic.

The Mesh of Things utilises a mesh network architecture to provide a decentralised alternative to traditional IoT device networking and over-the-air update solutions. We provide you your own private and secure overlay network allowing you to connect your devices to each other as if they were on your local network.

What is an overlay network?

An overlay network is a virtual network that runs on top of another network, such as the internet. It involves creating virtual connections between nodes that may be geographically dispersed, allowing them to communicate and interact as if they were part of a single local network. The Mesh of Things provides you your own overlay network that allows secure communication to send updates and monitor devices from the central MoT dashboard, and also allows your devices to communicate peer-to-peer with each other.

In practice, this means that when you provision multiple devices, they will each get their own fixed private IP address that is exposed to each other, but not to the internet to ensure security of your devices. The overlay network can support TCP, UDP and ICMP traffic, meaning you could ping another device thousands of miles away as if it is on your local network, and build secure cross-device communication solutions. But don't worry, you also have the option of exposing devices to the internet for public traffic too.

Devices are provisioned by issuing certificates that assert the devices IP address, name, and permissions that allow or prevent communication with other devices. This allows you to create groups of devices that can communicate with each other, and groups that cannot.

Certificates are issued by the MoT dashboard and can be revoked at any time. This means that if a device is compromised, you can revoke its certificate and it will no longer be able to communicate with other devices on your network.