Reference

Industrial DataGlossary

Name: Conduit
Availability: InStock

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 C D E H I M N O P Q R S T U

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 Computing Protocol
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 Network DMZ

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 Model Unified Namespace
Conduit Query Language: The internal query representation used by Conduit's Natural Query Engine. When users ask questions in natural language, NQE translates them into structured queries that execute across connected data sources. Users typically interact through natural language rather than writing queries directly.; Related:Natural Query Engine (NQE)Cross-Source Query
Cross-Source Query: A query that spans multiple data sources, executing sub-queries against each source and merging results. Conduit's context mesh architecture means data never needs to be centralized for cross-source analysis.; Related:ETL Query Pushdown; Learn more:Understanding Cross-Source Queries

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 Data SCADA
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 Network OT 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:Adapter Cross-Source 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:Cross-Source Query Data Movement

H

Historian: See Data Historian.; Related:Data Historian
HMI (Human-Machine Interface): The user interface that allows operators to interact with industrial equipment and processes. HMIs display process data, allow setpoint changes, and show alarms. They typically connect to PLCs and SCADA systems.; Related:SCADA PLC

I

Ignition: An industrial automation platform by Inductive Automation. Ignition includes SCADA, HMI, historian, and MES capabilities. Conduit can connect to Ignition data via its MQTT and OPC-UA adapters.
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 Namespace Semantic 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:SCADA Data 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 Namespace SparkplugB

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 structured queries.; Learn more:NQE Documentation

O

OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness): A metric that measures manufacturing productivity by combining availability, performance, and quality. OEE = Availability x Performance x 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:Protocol SCADA
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:Integrations
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 Convergence SCADA PLC

P

PLC (Programmable Logic Controller): An industrial computer that controls manufacturing processes. PLCs read sensors, execute control logic, and command actuators. They're the foundation of industrial automation.; Related:SCADA OT
Protocol: A set of rules governing data communication. Industrial protocols include OPC-UA, Modbus, DNP3, BACnet, and proprietary vendor protocols. Conduit adapters translate between protocols.; Related:OPC-UA Modbus Adapter

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:Cross-Source Query Edge 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:Security Audit 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:HMI PLC Data 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:Contextualization Unified Namespace
SparkplugB: An MQTT specification designed for industrial IoT. SparkplugB defines message formats, topic structures, and state management for SCADA/IIoT implementations.; Related:MQTT Unified 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 Historian SCADA
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 Historian Tag

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-95 MQTT Semantic Model; Learn more:What is a Unified Namespace?

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