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  1. Home>
  2. IT Explained
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IT Explained

We at Paessler use IT-related terms constantly, and we are very much aware of the “The Imposter Syndrome” in IT when professionals continue using terminology they might not even understand themselves. But there are also plenty of new terms in the fields of OT and IoT that many people may not be familiar with, or for which there are even contrary definitions.

At Paessler, we write a lot about IT, OT, and IoT topics. That's why you can find a comprehensive overview of relevant terminology here, which we are constantly updating.

You feel there’s something missing? Get in touch with us!

What Is Active Directory? – IT Explained

  • A powerful framework for managing users, permissions, and devices in Windows networks 
  • Centralizes identity and access control across large organizations
  • Essential for enterprise security and streamlined IT administration
Read more

What Is Bandwidth? – IT Explained

  • The key to understanding your network’s speed and capacity
  • Enables communication between browsers and servers worldwide
  • Monitoring bandwidth helps optimize performance and avoid bottlenecks
Read more

What Is CCTV? – IT Explained

  • Closed-circuit systems used for security and surveillance
  • See where CCTV is used beyond typical building monitoring
  • A high-level view of how these systems support safety and infrastructure
Read more

What Is Database? – IT Explained

  • Structured storage for managing large volumes of data efficiently 
  • Why databases are essential in nearly every digital system
  • Understand their role without diving into SQL or architecture
Read more

What Is DICOM? – IT Explained

  • The global standard for handling medical imaging data 
  • Enables interoperability between devices in healthcare settings
  • Learn how it supports diagnosis without decoding technical specs
Read more

What Is HCI? – IT Explained

  • Combines compute, storage, and networking into one virtualized solution
  • Simplifies IT infrastructure management and scaling
  • Explore how HCI streamlines data center operations without added complexity
Read more

What Is HL7? – IT Explained

  • A communication standard used in healthcare IT systems
  • Enables interoperability between hospitals, labs, and medical devices
  • Learn how HL7 supports seamless data exchange in patient care
Read more

What Is HTTP? – IT Explained

  • The foundational protocol of the World Wide Web
  •  Used to transfer data between browsers and servers
  • Understand its role in web communication – beyond just “http://”
Read more

What Is IIoT? – IT Explained

  • Connects machines and sensors in industrial environments
  • Enables real-time data insights and automation in manufacturing
  • Get a broad view of how IIoT drives digital transformation in industry
Read more

What Is an IP Address? – IT Explained

  • Unique identifiers for devices on a network – like digital addresses
  • Discover the difference between IPv4 and IPv6 at a glance
  • Understand why IP addresses are crucial for online communication
Read more

What is LPWA? – IT Explained

  • Wireless communication for low-energy, long-range IoT devices
  • Designed for smart cities, agriculture, and remote sensors
  • Learn why LPWA is key to large-scale IoT connectivity
Read more

What Is Modbus? – IT Explained

  • A simple protocol for industrial communication since the 1970s
  • Still widely used in factories, plants, and automation systems
  • Find out how Modbus enables machines to 'talk' in real time
Read more

What Is MQTT? – IT Explained

  • Lightweight messaging protocol for connected devices
  • Ideal for low-bandwidth and high-latency environments
  • Discover why MQTT is a go-to choice for modern IoT applications
Read more

What Is NetFlow? – IT Explained

  • A protocol for analyzing traffic patterns in your network
  • Helps identify bandwidth usage, bottlenecks, and anomalies
  • See how NetFlow gives deeper insights than basic monitoring
Read more

What Is OPC UA? – IT Explained

  • A platform-independent standard for industrial communication
  • Bridges machines, sensors, and software across systems
  • Learn how OPC UA supports secure and scalable automation
Read more

What Is Packet Sniffing? – IT Explained

  • Captures and analyzes data packets traveling through a network
  • Used for diagnostics, security, and traffic monitoring
  • See what’s really happening inside your network traffic flow
Read more

What Is Ping? – IT Explained

  • A simple yet powerful tool to check device availability
  • Measures response time and detects network issues
  • Understand why “pinging” is still vital for IT troubleshooting
Read more

What Is a PLC? – IT Explained

  • Industrial computers used to automate machinery and processes
  • Key to manufacturing, robotics, and real-time control
  • Discover how PLCs form the brain of automated operations
Read more

What Is Predictive Maintenance? – IT Explained

  • Uses data and analytics to foresee equipment failure 
  • Helps reduce downtime and extend asset life
  • Explore how smart monitoring prevents costly surprises
Read more

What Is Redfish? – IT Explained

  • A modern standard for managing hardware in data centers
  • Replaces outdated interfaces like IPMI with secure RESTful APIs
  • Learn how Redfish simplifies server and device management
Read more

What Is REST? – IT Explained

  • A lightweight architecture for web-based communication that powers modern apps
  • Enables apps, devices, and services to talk to each other seamlessly
  • Understand how REST keeps the modern web running smoothly
Read more

What Is Retrofitting? – IT Explained

  • Modernizes legacy machines with digital upgrades
  • A key step in making factories smart without full replacements
  • Discover how retrofitting bridges the gap to Industry 4.0
Read more

What Is SaaS? – IT Explained

  • Software delivered via the internet – no installation needed
  • Scalable, flexible, and always up to date 
  • Explore why SaaS is transforming how businesses use software 
Read more

What Is SCADA? – IT Explained

  • Systems for monitoring and controlling industrial environments
  • Used in energy, water, manufacturing, and beyond 
  • Learn how SCADA brings real-time visibility to critical operations
Read more

What Is a SD-WAN? – IT Explained

  • A smarter way to manage wide-area networks using software
  • Improves performance, security, and flexibility for remote connectivity
  • Discover why SD-WAN is replacing traditional WAN architectures
Read more

What Is a Server? – IT Explained

  • The backbone of digital infrastructure, hosting data and services
  • Comes in many forms – from physical hardware to cloud-based instances
  • Get a high-level view of what makes servers essential in IT 
Read more

What Is SLA? – IT Explained

  • A formal agreement on service quality between provider and customer
  • Defines uptime, response time, and other critical metrics
  • Understand why SLAs are key to managing expectations in IT 
Read more

What Is a Smart Building? – IT Explained

  • Uses connected technology to optimize energy, comfort, and security
  • Automatically adapts sensors and automation to adapt in real time 
  • Learn how smart buildings improve efficiency and user experience
Read more

What Is A Smart City? – IT Explained

  • Connected devices and sensors transforming urban environments
  • From traffic management to energy efficiency – IoT is changing city life
  • High-level insight into smarter infrastructure and citizen services
Read more

What Is a Smart Environmental Monitoring? – IT Explained

  • Tracks air quality, temperature, and environmental conditions
  • Combines IoT sensors with data analytics for better decisions
  • Discover how smart monitoring protects people and the planet 
Read more

What Is SNMP? – IT Explained

  • A protocol for monitoring and managing network devices
  • Used by routers, switches, printers, and more
  • Learn how SNMP helps keep IT infrastructures visible and healthy
Read more

What is an “SNMP Community String”? – IT Explained

  • Acts like a password for SNMP device access
  • Controls what monitoring systems can read or write
  • Discover how community strings impact network security
Read more

What Is SNMP, MIBs and OIDs? – IT Explained

  • MIBs and OIDs define what SNMP can monitor on a device
  • Essential to interpreting data from network hardware
  • Get a high-level grasp of how SNMP “knows what to look for”
Read more

What Is a SSH? – IT Explained

  • A secure way to access and manage remote systems
  • Encrypts communication to protect data in transit
  • Understand why SSH is the go-to tool for secure administration 
Read more

What Is Syslog? – IT Explained

  • A protocol for sending log messages across systems and devices
  • Centralizes event reporting for monitoring and troubleshooting
  • Learn how syslog helps keep IT environments transparent and secure
Read more

What Is TLS? – IT Explained

  • Encrypts data between applications to ensure privacy and integrity
  • The foundation of secure communication on the web
  • Discover how TLS protects everything from email to banking
Read more

What Is Unified Communications (UC)? – IT Explained

  • Combines voice, video, chat, and collaboration tools into one system
  • Enhances productivity and communication across organizations
  • Explore how UC simplifies digital teamwork in modern businesses
Read more

What Is Virtualization? – IT Explained

  • Runs multiple virtual machines on a single physical system 
  • Saves resources and increases flexibility in IT environments
  • Understand how virtualization powers modern data centers
Read more

What Is VPN? – IT Explained

  • Creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between users and networks
  • Often used for remote access and privacy protection 
  • Learn why VPNs are essential in today’s connected world
Read more

What Is WMI? – IT Explained

  • A Microsoft technology for managing Windows devices
  • Enables system monitoring, automation, and diagnostics
  • Get an intro to WMI without diving into scripts or queries
Read more
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