IoT Glossary

A gateway between a GSM, GPRS, 3G, or 4G mobile network and another computer network, usually the public Internet. The APN needs to be configured on the device. For emnify, it's em or emnify.

A unique identification key used to authenticate emnify's APIs. Also used when authenticating the OpenVPN service.

A2P SMS is the SMS sent and received between an application and a device (or vice versa).

SIM that has been assigned to a device.

Gives information about the registration status and access technology of the serving cell.

A part of GSM infrastructure, validates any SIM card attempting network connection when a phone has a live network signal.

A unique code for ordered SIM cards used to register the SIM cards in the SIM Inventory.

A fixed transceiver that acts as the primary hub for communication with one or more wireless mobile devices. It serves as the central point for wireless devices to connect and communicate within its coverage area.

A satellite base station is a variant that extends this functionality through satellite links, enabling it to transmit and receive signals to and from orbiting satellites. Unlike standard base stations, these connect with satellite ground stations and other communication networks through the ground core network, providing service in remote areas where terrestrial connectivity is limited or unavailable.

URL that will be called by a service to send and receive data related to an event that caused this action.

A network that doesn't limit or prefer any specific network in a country and establishes a connection over any network that's transparent to the device.

A checksum appended to identification data (for example, IMEI, EID, or ICCID) representing the preceding digits and calculated using an algorithm.

Check digits are used to validate the identifier, verify data integrity, and help prevent errors in equipment databases.

This is the connectivity status of a device. It can be set to:

Status	Portal Icon	Description
Online	(cellular only) (satellite capable)	Device is transmitting or can transmit data through a data tunnel.
Attached		Device is attached to a network but hasn't established a data tunnel.
Offline		Device isn't attached to a network.
Blocked		Device isn't permitted to perform any actions.

Referred to as Tariff Profile in the API

A policy that defines which networks or countries SIM should operate in.

A member of emnify's team dedicated to helping you grow and achieve your goals. For a full explanation of the role, see Support.

Data received by the device.

A session between opening and closing a data connection to the network.

Data transmitted by the device.

The data that has been used by a device, both transmitted and received.

An attack where the attacker sends multiple requests to a web resource with the aim of exceeding the website’s capacity to handle multiple requests and prevent the website from functioning correctly.

The Workspace that automatically loads when a user logs into the emnify Portal. This is set individually per user and doesn't affect other users in the organization. For most users, the first Workspace you were invited to is your default.

Reflects the current state of the device and determines whether a device can connect to a network or incur charges.

A hierarchical decentralized naming system for computers, services, or any resource connected to the Internet or a private network to map a hostname to an IP address.

An IP that changes over time.

A numbering system used in LTE networks to identify specific radio channels for transmitting and receiving data. The number, always an integer, ranges from 0 to 65535. It helps determine the exact carrier frequency used for uplink (sending data from mobile devices to the network) and downlink (sending data from the network to mobile devices). The EARFCN is independent of the channel bandwidth, simplifying frequency selection to enhance device connectivity without interference.

A device configuration that specifies the periodicity in which the device listens for incoming data on the radio. Instead of using a periodicity of 2.56 ms (DRX) it can be increased up to 40 minutes, thus reducing power consumption.

The eUICC Identifier (EID) provides a unique global serial number for an eUICC. It has a fixed length of 32 digits, as indicated in the following diagram:

A representation of the device which has a SIM installed. Often used as a legacy term for a device, particularly in the REST API.

Because of the "e" (for embedded) in its name, eSIM is sometimes incorrectly used for referring to the MFF2 physical form factor of an eUICC chip that's designed to be permanently surface-mounted inside a device. Within the IoT industry, eSIM refers to the entire solution that's comprised of an eUICC-equipped SIM along with the software platform for OTA provisioning. Although eSIMs can be embedded directly in a device, they're also manufactured as pluggable SIM cards. The emnify eSIM has capabilities not available with other eSIMs.

The embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC) is a component of a SIM card. It allows consumers and IoT manufacturers to provision the SIM with a new mobile network operator (MNO) profile over-the-air.

A log that stores all device events.

The form factor of a SIM card represents the SIM card format. SIM cards vary in size (Mini vs. Micro vs. Nano), function (embedded vs. standard), and quality (industrial grade vs. standard):

• 2FF: Mini SIM card
• 3FF: Micro SIM card
• 4FF: Nano SIM card

A type of orbit situated approximately 35,786 kilometers above the Earth's equator, perfectly aligned with the planet's rotation. Satellites in this circular orbit synchronize with the Earth's rotational period, appearing stationary in the sky from any fixed point on the ground. This characteristic makes GEO especially valuable for telecommunications satellites, as they consistently cover the same area on the planet's surface. This facilitates continuous communication without the need for tracking movement across the sky.

Part of the GSM infrastructure, the GGSN is responsible for the interworkings between the GPRS network and external packet switched networks.

Cloud infrastructure that's distributed globally, with several local breakout points for better traffic handling.

Comprises several satellite constellations, including GPS (United States), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (European Union), BeiDou (China), and QZSS (Japan). These systems, together with ground control stations and receivers, provide global coverage for precise location and time information. GNSS is crucial for navigation and positioning in various applications, from mobile apps to transportation.

GSM is standard developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute to describe the protocols for second-generation digital cellular networks used by mobile devices.

Vehicles, such as planes or balloons, stationed in the stratosphere. They're typically at an altitude of 20 kilometers, higher than conventional aircraft but lower than satellites. Operating similarly to satellites, HAPS provide continuous surveillance or communication services over a specific area, offering proximity, coverage, and flexibility advantages.

A database from a mobile network in which information from all mobile subscribers is stored. Part of GSM infrastructure.

A request method supported by the HTTP protocol, which typically includes data in the request body.

A semiconductor chip containing a large number of extremely small electronic components. For example, a CPU, the chips on computer memory cards, the electronic part of a SIM card, an eUICC, etc.

The integrated circuit card identifier (ICCID) is a 20-digit code used to identify a SIM card. It includes a SIM card's country, home network, and identification number, as indicated in the following diagram:

A unique number used to identify cellular modems. There are two types of IMEI numbers referenced by the emnify system:

- IMEI: 15 digits including the final check digit.

- IMEI Software Version (IMEISV): 16 digits composed of the first 14 digits of the IMEI plus two additional digits that represent the Software Version Number (SVN).

The IMEI consists of the following elements:

- Type Approval Code (TAC): Eight digits, identifies the cellular device by providing information about its manufacturer and model.

- Serial Number (SNR): Six digits, uniquely identifies the device against others with the same TAC.

- Check digit: One digit, represents the preceding digits and is calculated using an algorithm.

The practice of strictly associating a SIM to the device with a certain IMEI number. For more information, see the IMEI lock feature description.

A unique number used to identify a GSM subscriber. Therefore it changes if a device connects to a different operator while roaming.

A protocol suite for Secure Internet Protocol (IP) communications that works by authenticating and encrypting each IP packet of a communication session.

A logical subdivision of an IP network.

A lightweight format for storing and transporting data. It's often used when data is sent from a server to a web page.

A unique 16-digit fixed-length location area identity code that identifies a phone number’s location area.

The region of space close to the Earth, typically between 500 and 2,000 kilometers. Satellites in LEO orbit the Earth rapidly, completing multiple orbits each day, which makes them ideal for telecommunications due to their proximity to the planet. This close range allows for lower latency in communications and detailed imagery capture.

Two or more Workspaces connected under a single main organization, allowing centralized user management while maintaining separate configurations and billing.

For setup instructions, see Link existing Workspaces.

A check digit calculated from the previous digits using the Luhn algorithm.

The primary organization that holds the contract with emnify and oversees linked Workspaces. It determines which user is assigned the SuperAdmin role for managing multiple Workspaces.

Configurable settings and statuses within a modem that dictate its functionality and performance. In satellite connectivity, these parameters are crucial for optimizing the modem's operation to handle the unique challenges of satellite communications, such as variable signal strength, higher latency, and bandwidth constraints.

A range of orbits around Earth positioned between low Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary equatorial orbit (GEO). Satellites in MEO typically orbit at altitudes of about 7,000 to 25,000 kilometers. This orbit is commonly used for navigation satellites, like those in GPS, because it balances coverage area and signal delay well.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security process that requires you to provide two or more pieces of evidence (also known as factors) to verify your identity before accessing a website or application. MFA is sometimes called two-factor authentication (2FA) and has historically been at emnify.

A combination generated by an external device or a service that's used to authenticate the user during the multi-factor authentication (MFA) process. These keys are sometimes referred to as "codes" or "tokens."

A unique number used to identify a mobile phone number internationally—essentially the telephone number assigned to each SIM. For an emnify IoT eSIM, this number is needed for its ability to receive SMS messages.

The part of GSM architecture that controls the network switching subsystem elements.

A low-power wide-area network technology that offers robust IoT connectivity. It's designed for applications in remote areas or inside buildings where signal strength can be a challenge. NB-IoT features low power consumption and reduced module costs, making it an ideal choice for devices that operate for long periods without frequent battery replacements or recharging. For more information, see LPWAN: LTE-M/NB-IoT radio access technology (RAT) type.

A centralized location where administrators supervise, monitor, and maintain a telecommunication or satellite network. The emnify NOC is used primarily for incident management.

A type of network that isn't based on terrestrial infrastructure. In the context of emnify's services, it specifically refers to the Skylo satellite IoT network. This satellite network is part of emnify's IoT SuperNetwork SatPlus, providing global connectivity by combining terrestrial and satellite coverage.

A standardized cellular technology that defines the way satellites provide direct-to-device telecommunication services with NB-IoT cellular modems. NTN-IoT works similarly to NB-IoT devices, except the device telemetry data is sent through a satellite communication channel.

A business entity (company, subsidiary, branch, or department) associated with a Workspace. Each organization has its own billing, user management, and contract with emnify.

For details, see Workspace settings.

A method of wireless distribution of the software, configuration settings, or encryption keys.

A technology that allows changes to the SIM memory over-the-air.

An open source software application that implements virtual private network (VPN) techniques for creating secure point-to-point or site-to-site connections in routed or bridged configurations and remote access facilities.

SMS sent from a device with any SIM to a device with the emnify SIM.

Data structure present on both the serving GPRS support node (SGSN) and the gateway GPRS support node (GGSN), which contains the subscriber’s session information when the subscriber has an active session.

An IP address that's not reachable from the public Internet but only through a local or virtual network. Dynamic private IPs keep changing, whereas static private IP addresses don't change.

While in power saving mode (PSM), the device tells the network that it's powering off for a specific time and sending periodic updates in longer-than-usual intervals. When the device comes back online, it doesn't need to reattach to a network but can use an already-created PDP context, thus saving power.

An IP address accessible from the public Internet.

The specific technology used to wirelessly connect a device to a network. It plays a crucial role in cellular communication and IoT connectivity. Different types of RATs, such as 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE-M, and NB-IoT, cater to various use cases based on their unique characteristics and capabilities. For more information, see radio access types.

The representational state transfer application programming interface allows you to integrate services with your applications.

The time it takes for a signal to travel from a source to a destination and back again, typically measured in milliseconds (ms). This measure includes both the transmission time to the destination and the time for an acknowledgment or response to return to the original sender.

SASE is a term coined by Gartner which combines software-defined networking (SDN) and security and serves it as cloud-based Security-as-a-Service.

An approach that allows network administrators to programmatically initialize, control, change, and manage network behavior dynamically via open interfaces.

A profile that defines the services and capabilities of a device managed through the emnify platform.

Integral components in cellular networks, specifically used within 3G, 4G (LTE), and 5G technologies. SIBs contain essential information that mobile devices need to operate effectively on a network. This information is broadcast by the base stations (cell towers) and includes a variety of operational parameters about the network.

In satellite connectivity, SIBs are data sets broadcast by satellites to deliver crucial operational parameters like beam coverage, frequency bands, and handover guidelines. These blocks facilitate device configuration and communication efficiency, addressing the unique challenges and high latencies of satellite networks.

A subscriber identification module (SIM) contains an integrated circuit (IC) that's often mounted on a plastic card. Pluggable SIMs mounted on plastic cards are offered in various form factors. A SIM stores data used to identify a subscriber (IMSI) along with other network information for connecting and authenticating with a mobile network operator (MNO). See also eSIM - Embedded SIM.

A collection of SIM cards that can be registered with a single BIC code.

Monthly fee for an activated SIM.

The mobile network operator (MNO) ID information stored in the SIM’s memory.

A process to allow your SIM cards to be registered within your Workspace and visible in the SIM Inventory.

Reflects the current state of the SIM in the SIM lifecycle.

A protocol used by the telecommunications industry for exchanging SMS messages between short message service centers (SMSC) and/or external short messaging entities (ESME).

An interface to send A2P SMS from the platform to the SIM card.

A firewall that controls the SMS flow.

SMS sent from the device with the emnify SIM.

SMS that are received by a device with an emnify SIM.

The address of the SMS sender as displayed on the receiving device.

The Workspace where a SIM card is currently assigned before being transferred to another Workspace. During a SIM transfer, the source Workspace is responsible for all usage and subscription charges accrued up to the exact moment of transfer. After the transfer, billing and management shift to the target Workspace.

For details, see Transfer SIMs between Workspaces.

An IP that doesn’t change over time.

A control mechanism used in mobile communications to adjust the timing of signals sent from a mobile phone to a base station. This adjustment ensures that the signal arrives at the correct time, avoiding interference with signals from other users.

A directive issued by a base station in cellular networks to adjust the timing of data transmissions from mobile devices, ensuring signals arrive precisely and avoid interference. In satellite connectivity, TAC is critical for managing the greater transmission delays due to the significant distances signals travel.

The Workspace that receives a SIM card during a transfer. Once a SIM is transferred, all new usage, subscription fees, and data allowances are billed to the target Workspace. The SIM remains in the target Workspace unless transferred again.

For details, see Transfer SIMs between Workspaces.

A term used to describe the service model when various devices utilize the same data pool.

Devices end-users use to communicate with a network, such as sensors and other IoT devices.

SIM that has been unassigned from a device.

Notifications automatically sent from a device to report status changes or specific events, such as changes in network registration. These codes are generated without a direct request and can differ in format from standard AT command responses. URCs are crucial for real-time monitoring and managing device states in a network.

User-defined limit of consumption for a certain service (data, SMS) per device.

An account associated with a specific person and used to log in to one or more Workspaces. User accounts can be assigned a role (for example, Administrator) per Workspace.

An ability to select which network the customer’s SIM connects to.

An approach that enables users to create their own virtual mobile network, define service and security policies, and provision coverage policies and data packages.

A secure private cloud hosted within a public cloud where you can host websites, store data, run applications, etc.

A service that protects your internet connection and privacy online.

An independent entity in the emnify Portal used to manage IoT connectivity. Each Workspace has separate configurations, billing, and user roles. Organizations can operate multiple linked Workspaces to support independent business units, product lines, or test environments.