Azure IoT Hub is a service that facilitates bi-directional communication between IoT applications and the devices it manages. Azure Functions, Azure IoT Suite, and Azure Data Factory serve different purposes within the Azure ecosystem.

ARPANET, the precursor to the modern internet, can be considered a precursor to the Internet of Things (IoT). ARPANET was one of the first wide-area packet-switching networks and laid the foundation for the interconnected networks that led to the development of IoT.

The scope and objectives of an IoT project are defined in the planning phase. During this phase, project goals, deliverables, and overall strategy are determined.

Monitoring equipment health and predicting machine failures is a prime example of predictive analytics. Predictive analytics uses historical data and statistical algorithms to make predictions about future events, helping companies prevent costly machine failures.

One of the earliest implementations of IoT can be traced back to Carnegie Mellon University, where a "wireless sensor network" was developed. Wireless sensor networks are a crucial component of IoT, as they enable the collection of data from various sensors and devices. These networks are a fundamental building block of IoT technology.