Reference
Industrial DataGlossary
A comprehensive reference for industrial data, OT/IT, and manufacturing terminology. From adapters to unified namespaces, understand the concepts behind modern industrial data integration.
A
- Adapter
- A software component that connects Conduit to a specific data source, translating between the source's native protocol and Conduit's query interface. Adapters are read-only and run at the edge, near the data source.
- Related:Edge ComputingProtocol
- Air-Gapped Network
- A network that is physically isolated from other networks, including the internet. Common in high-security OT environments. Conduit can operate in air-gapped deployments with no external dependencies.
- Related:OT NetworkDMZ
C
- Contextualization
- The process of adding meaning to raw data by associating it with business context—asset hierarchies, process relationships, and semantic meaning. Conduit automates contextualization through its semantic model.
- Related:Semantic ModelUnified Namespace
- CQL (Conduit Query Language)
- Conduit's native query language for precise, programmatic data access. CQL supports cross-source joins, time-based correlation, and semantic references. Most users interact through natural language, which is translated to CQL.
- Learn more:CQL Documentation
D
- Data Historian
- A specialized database optimized for storing time-series data from industrial processes. Historians efficiently compress and retrieve high-frequency sensor data. Examples include OSIsoft PI, Ignition Historian, and Aveva Historian.
- Related:Time-Series DataSCADA
- DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)
- A network segment that acts as a buffer between trusted internal networks and untrusted external networks. In industrial settings, DMZs often separate IT and OT networks while allowing controlled data flow.
- Related:Air-Gapped NetworkOT Network
E
- Edge Computing
- Processing data near its source rather than sending it to a centralized location. Conduit's adapters perform query execution at the edge, reducing data movement and latency.
- Related:AdapterFederated Query
- ETL (Extract, Transform, Load)
- A traditional data integration pattern where data is extracted from sources, transformed into a common format, and loaded into a destination system. Conduit eliminates ETL by querying data in place.
- Related:Federated QueryData Movement
F
- Federated Query
- A query that spans multiple data sources, executing sub-queries against each source and merging results. Conduit's federated architecture means data never needs to be centralized for cross-source analysis.
- Related:ETLQuery Pushdown
- Learn more:Understanding Federated Queries
H
I
- Ignition
- An industrial automation platform by Inductive Automation. Ignition includes SCADA, HMI, historian, and MES capabilities. Conduit has a native adapter for Ignition that connects to tags, historian data, and alarms.
- Learn more:Ignition Adapter Docs
- ISA-95
- An international standard for integrating enterprise and control systems. ISA-95 defines a hierarchical model (Enterprise > Site > Area > Work Center > Work Unit) commonly used for organizing industrial data.
- Related:Unified NamespaceSemantic Model
- IT/OT Convergence
- The integration of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) systems to enable data sharing and analytics across the enterprise. Conduit enables convergence without requiring data movement.
- Learn more:IT/OT Convergence Guide
M
- MES (Manufacturing Execution System)
- Software that tracks and documents the transformation of raw materials to finished goods. MES systems manage work orders, track production, and enforce quality procedures.
- Related:SCADAData Historian
- MQTT
- A lightweight publish-subscribe messaging protocol commonly used in IoT and industrial applications. MQTT is often the backbone of Unified Namespace implementations.
- Related:Unified NamespaceSparkplugB
N
- Natural Query Engine (NQE)
- Conduit's natural language processing system that translates plain English questions into optimized queries against industrial data sources. NQE understands your semantic model and generates accurate CQL.
- Learn more:NQE Documentation
O
- OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)
- A metric that measures manufacturing productivity by combining availability, performance, and quality. OEE = Availability × Performance × Quality. Conduit can calculate OEE across systems in real-time.
- Related:Manufacturing
- OPC-UA
- Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture—a machine-to-machine communication protocol for industrial automation. OPC-UA provides secure, reliable data exchange between industrial systems.
- Related:ProtocolSCADA
- OSIsoft PI
- A widely-used industrial data historian platform (now part of AVEVA). PI consists of the PI Data Archive for time-series storage and PI Asset Framework (AF) for contextualization.
- Learn more:PI Adapter Docs
- OT (Operational Technology)
- Hardware and software that monitors and controls physical devices, processes, and events. OT includes PLCs, SCADA systems, DCS, and industrial networks. Distinct from IT (Information Technology).
- Related:IT/OT ConvergenceSCADAPLC
P
Q
- Query Pushdown
- An optimization technique where query operations (filters, aggregations) are executed at the data source rather than after retrieval. Conduit pushes down operations to minimize data transfer.
- Related:Federated QueryEdge Computing
R
- RBAC (Role-Based Access Control)
- A security model where access permissions are assigned to roles, and users are assigned to roles. Conduit's RBAC can control access down to the individual tag level.
- Related:SecurityAudit Trail
S
- SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)
- Systems that monitor and control industrial processes. SCADA collects data from sensors and PLCs, displays it to operators, and enables remote control. Often integrated with historians.
- Related:HMIPLCData Historian
- Semantic Model
- A representation of data that captures meaning and relationships, not just structure. Conduit's semantic model maps physical tags to logical assets, enabling natural language queries.
- Related:ContextualizationUnified Namespace
- SparkplugB
- An MQTT specification designed for industrial IoT. SparkplugB defines message formats, topic structures, and state management for SCADA/IIoT implementations.
- Related:MQTTUnified Namespace
T
- Tag
- A named data point in an industrial system. Tags represent sensor values, setpoints, states, and other process variables. A typical plant may have tens of thousands of tags.
- Related:Data HistorianSCADA
- Time-Series Data
- Data points indexed by time. Industrial processes generate massive amounts of time-series data from sensors, often at sub-second intervals. Historians are optimized for time-series storage.
- Related:Data HistorianTag
U
- Unified Namespace (UNS)
- An architectural pattern that creates a single, hierarchical namespace for all industrial data. UNS provides consistent naming and access patterns across disparate systems. Conduit creates a virtual UNS without data movement.
- Related:ISA-95MQTTSemantic Model
- Learn more:What is a Unified Namespace?
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