Industrial IoT Glossary

Welcome to the Eziwan platform glossary. This glossary contains definitions of key technical terms used in the fields of Industrial IoT (IIoT), automation, supervision, and industrial communications.

Who is this glossary intended for?​

This glossary is designed for several types of users:

  • Systems integrators who deploy monitoring and remote management solutions at industrial sites.
  • Maintenance managers who want to understand the protocols and equipment connected to the Eziwan platform.
  • OT/IT project managers who oversee the convergence between operational technology (OT) networks and information technology (IT) systems.
  • Industrial decision-makers who are evaluating connectivity solutions for their machine fleets or remote sites.

Available Entries​

Equipment and Controllers​

TermSummary DefinitionLink
PLC / APIProgrammable Logic Controller — real-time local controlSee definition →
RTURemote Terminal Unit — remote management of remote sitesSee definition →

Communication Protocols​

TermSummary DefinitionLink
ModbusUniversal industrial protocol: Modbus RTU (RS-485) and Modbus TCP (Ethernet)See definition →

Oversight and Monitoring​

TermSummary DefinitionLink
SCADASupervisory Control and Data Acquisition — centralized industrial monitoringSee definition →

Network Security​

TermSummary DefinitionLink
Industrial VPNZero-inbound-port encrypted tunnel — OpenVPN, IPSec, WireGuardSee definition →

Structure of Entries​

Each glossary entry follows a consistent structure: definition of the term, related acronyms, context of use, related protocols or standards, concrete examples, and links to the corresponding practical guides.

Upcoming Entries​

The glossary is continuously being expanded. Upcoming definitions will include:

  • OPC-UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture) — a modern monitoring protocol, native to the S7-1500 and M580
  • MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) — a publish/subscribe IoT messaging protocol
  • HMI (Human-Machine Interface) — synoptic displays, local monitoring
  • DNP3 (Distributed Network Protocol 3) — remote management protocol for water and energy (U.S. standard)
  • IEC 61850 — communication in electrical substations and differential protection
  • IEC 62443 — cybersecurity for industrial control systems (ICS)
  • LTE Cat-M1 / NB-IoT — low-power IoT networks for remote meter reading
  • Industrial Edge Computing — local data processing at the gateway
  • MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) — reliability of industrial equipment
  • Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) — perimeter security for OT

If you can't find a term, check out our integration guides or contact the Eziwan team.

How to Use This Glossary​

The definitions are grouped by topic for easy navigation:

FieldKey TermsDetailed Information
AutomationPLC / API, RTU, HMIPLC / API, RTU
MonitoringSCADA, MTU, remote managementSCADA
ProtocolsModbus RTU/TCP, OPC-UA, MQTT, M-BusModbus
SecurityVPN, OpenVPN, IPsec, Zero Trust, NIS2, IEC 62443Industrial VPN
Connectivity4G/LTE, M2M SIM, APN, RSRP/RSRQ, failoverIndustrial Connectivity

Frequently Asked Questions​

What is the difference between IT and OT?​

IT (Information Technology) refers to business computing—office automation, ERP, and email. OT (Operational Technology) refers to systems that control the physical world: PLCs, sensors, SCADA, and industrial networks. The requirements differ: OT prioritizes availability and security over confidentiality.

IoT and IIoT—Are They the Same Thing?​

The IIoT (Industrial IoT) is the industrial subset of the IoT: it follows the same principles (sensors, connectivity, cloud), but with stricter requirements for robustness, protocols (Modbus, OPC-UA), and cybersecurity (IEC 62443, NIS2).

Where should I start if I'm new to this field?​

Read the PLC / API data sheets, SCADA, and Modbus, which cover 80% of the terminology used in monitoring projects, and then the quick start guide for practical application.