Custom Database For LoRaWAN - Derek Tuando and LoRaDB

About this episode

Derek Tuando discusses the limitations of traditional databases for LoRaWAN and introduces LoRaDB's device-first data model.

Derek Tuando, IoT specialist and creator of LoRaDB, talks about why traditional databases often fall short when applied to real-world LoRaWAN deployments, and what changes when data systems are designed with devices—not tables or tags—as the primary organizing principle. Derek explains what an IoT database actually is, drawing clear distinctions between general-purpose databases, time-series tools, and systems purpose-built for LoRaWAN workloads. He outlines the practical challenges that emerge as projects grow beyond early pilots, including query complexity, usability issues, and the friction teams face when stitching together multiple tools just to visualize and understand device data. The conversation dives into the core idea behind LoRaDB’s device-first data model, where all data is organized around a device’s identity rather than abstract measurements. Derek walks through how this approach simplifies querying, speeds up exploration, and makes LoRaWAN data more intuitive to work with—especially for small teams, hobbyists, and lean organizations managing thousands to tens of thousands of devices. Derek also discusses where LoRaDB fits today, including its strengths in ease of…

People in this episode

Guest: Derek Tuando

Topics covered

• LoRaWAN
• IoT databases
• data systems
• device-first data model

Keywords

• query complexity
• usability issues
• open-source
• visualization

Mentioned in this episode

Products: LoRaDB, ChirpStack, Helium, the Helium LoRaWAN, MeteoScientific Console, The MeteoScientific Console

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