The IoT Glossary: Smart Connectivity, Simply Explained (6)

You don’t have to be a software engineer to understand the Internet of Things. Below you’ll find simple, non-technical explanations of key IoT concepts you need to know.

All Categories Connectivity Cellular Networks Protocols Identification Numbers SIMs Cellular IoT IoT Security Industries

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Protocols

What Is Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)?

22.12.2020 Unlike User Datagram Protocol (UDP)—another standard that applications use to exchange data—TCP is designed for accuracy, not speed. In data transport, data packets can sometimes arrive out of order or get lost. TCP numbers each packet to ensure that every piece reaches its destination and can be rearranged if needed. When packets don’t arrive within a specified timeframe, Transmission Control Protocol requests re-transmission of the lost data.

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What Is User Datagram Protocol (UDP)?

22.12.2020 – Protocols

When higher-level protocols need to transmit data quickly, they rely on UDP to package and distribute that data over the Internet Protocol (IP). (If you wish to know more about protocols and IoT check out our Comprehensive Guide to IoT Protocols.)

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What Is 5G? Everything You Need to Know

22.12.2020 – Cellular Networks

5G networks are vastly improving high-speed Internet connectivity around the globe and opening the door to a revolution in the Internet of Things (IoT). There are already billions of IoT devices, but the wider bandwidth and more efficient spectrum usage of 5G networks will allow far more devices to operate in close proximity without interfering with one another.

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What Is an APN? Access Point Names Explained

22.12.2020 – Connectivity

Basically, your APN defines your connectivity settings. And any time you change carriers, you need a new APN—because the name is specific to each MNO.

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What Is an SMSC? Short Message Service Center

22.12.2020 – Connectivity

When a device sends an SMS message, it goes to the SMSC first, and then the SMSC forwards it to the intended recipient. If the recipient is unavailable (usually meaning the device is off or doesn’t have service), then the SMSC will store the message until either the device becomes available again or the SMS expires.

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What Is A2P SMS? Application-to-Person Messaging Explained

22.12.2020 – IoT Security

Password reset requests, two-step authentication, and appointment reminders are all common examples of Application-to-Peer messaging. Enterprise businesses also use A2P SMS to turn text messaging into an outbound marketing channel.

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Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) Explained

22.12.2020 – Cellular IoT

These Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWANs) allow a greater volume of devices to share bandwidth than traditional cellular networks like 2G, 3G, and 4G. They enable devices to utilize unused frequencies within a carrier’s licensed bands, and use less power than many other types of network.

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What Is Over-the-Air? OTA Provisioning Explained

22.12.2020 – Connectivity

OTA provisioning refers more specifically to the process of updating or modifying something wirelessly. In cellular IoT, this most often refers to updating firmware and managing SIM cards.

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What Is an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)?

22.12.2020 – Identification Numbers

IMSI numbers are usually 15 digits, and they have three distinct parts:

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