Systems, methods, and computer-readable for managing an Internet of Things (IoT) network include identifying an IoT device which is not connected to one or more communication layers of a IoT network, where the IoT network includes one or more intermediate nodes for connecting an IoT application to the IoT device. A virtual device is provided in at least one communication layer of at least one intermediate node, where the virtual device is used for modeling behavior of the IoT device. Using the virtual device as a proxy for the IoT device, operations at the at least one intermediate node while the IoT device is not connected to the at least one layer. The operations can include Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) functions. The virtual device can be withdrawn or disabled in the at least one intermediate node upon the IoT device establishing connection to the at least one layer.