NODA Glossary

This is a glossary of terms used in the NODA documentation.

District heating terminology

TermDefinition
CHPCombined heat and power, also known as cogeneration, is a system that generates both electricity and heat from a single fuel source, such as natural gas, biomass, or biogas. CHP systems can be more efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional power generation and heating systems.
District heatingA system that delivers heat from a central source, such as a CHP plant or a heating plant, to multiple buildings or homes through a network of underground pipes. District heating systems can be more efficient and environmentally friendly than individual heating systems in each building.
Heat exchangerA device that transfers heat from one fluid or medium to another, without the two fluids or media coming into direct contact. Heat exchangers are commonly used in district heating systems to transfer heat from the hot water in the pipes to the water in the building's heating system.
Heat meterA device that measures the amount of heat delivered to a building or home through a district heating system. Heat meters are typically used to bill customers for the heat they consume based on their usage.
Heat networkAnother term for a district heating system, referring to the network of pipes that delivers heat from a central source to multiple buildings or homes.
Pipe insulationInsulation that is used to wrap the pipes in a district heating system to reduce heat loss and improve efficiency.
Primary loopThe portion of a district heating system that carries hot water from the central source, such as a CHP plant or a heating plant, to the substations.
Secondary loopThe portion of a district heating system that carries hot water from the substations to the buildings or homes.
SubstationA device that is used to control and distribute the heat delivered by a district heating system to multiple buildings or homes. A substation typically includes a heat exchanger, a pump, and other equipment to regulate the flow of heat and maintain the desired temperature in the heating system.
Temperature control valveA valve that is used to regulate the flow of hot water in a district heating system and maintain the desired temperature in the heating system.
Thermal storageThe use of heat storage tanks or other devices to store excess heat generated by a district heating system for later use. Thermal storage can help to smooth out fluctuations in

IT-infrastructure

TermDefinition
BackupThe process of creating copies of data or other resources in case the original is lost, damaged, or otherwise becomes unavailable. Backups are typically stored on separate devices or media, such as external hard drives or cloud storage, to ensure that they are not lost along with the original.
Cloud computingA model of computing in which users access and use shared resources, such as computing power, storage, and software, over the internet, rather than using their own local resources. Cloud computing can be more cost-effective and scalable than traditional computing models.
Data centerA facility that houses and supports the operation of servers, storage systems, and other IT infrastructure. Data centers may be owned and operated by a company, or they may be provided by a third party as a service.
Domain nameA unique name that is used to identify a website or other internet resource. Domain names are typically organized into a hierarchy based on the type of resource, such as .com for commercial websites, .gov for US government websites, and .edu for educational websites.
FirewallA security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Firewalls are used to protect networks from unauthorized access, malware, and other threats.
InfrastructureThe underlying framework or structures that support the operation of a system or service. In the context of IT, infrastructure typically refers to the hardware, software, and other resources that are needed to support the operation of a network or other IT system.
Load balancerA device or software that distributes incoming network traffic across multiple servers or resources to improve the performance and availability of a network or service. Load balancers can use various algorithms to determine how to route traffic, such as round-robin or least connections.
Managed serviceA service provided by a third party that is responsible for the management and maintenance of a particular aspect of an organization's IT infrastructure, such as security, storage, or networking. Managed services can help organizations to more effectively manage their IT resources and reduce costs.
Network segmentA portion of a network that is separated from other parts of the network by a device, such as a switch or router. Network segments can be used to improve the performance and security of a network by isolating traffic and limiting access to certain resources.
ProtocolA set of rules or conventions that govern the communication between devices or systems. Protocols define how devices should connect, transmit data, and handle errors. There are many different protocols used in networking and other fields, such as HTTP, SMTP, and FTP.
RouterA device that connects multiple networks and forwards data packets between them based on their destination. Routers use routing tables and protocols to determine the most efficient path for data to travel and can also provide security and other networking services.
Security groupA collection of rules that define the traffic that is allowed to flow in and out of a network or resource. Security groups can be used to control access to resources and protect them from unauthorized access or attacks.
Virtual machineA software-based simulation of a physical computer that runs on top of a host operating system. Virtual machines allow multiple operating systems or applications to run on a single physical server, providing benefits such as improved resource utilization and easier management.
Virtual networkA network that is created and managed entirely within software, rather than using physical networking hardware. Virtual networks can be used to create isolated networking environments within a larger network, or to connect multiple networks together.
Virtual private network (VPN)A private network that is created over a public network, such as the internet. VPNs use encryption and other security measures to protect data transmitted over the network and to provide secure remote access to resources.
VLANA virtual local area network (VLAN) is a logical grouping of devices that are created within a larger network. VLANs are used to segment a network into smaller, more secure and efficient sub-networks.
WANA wide area network (WAN) is a network that spans a large geographical area, such as a country or the entire globe. WANs are typically used to connect multiple smaller networks, such as LANs or WLANs, together and can be implemented using various technologies, such as leased lines or satellite links.
Web serverA server that is designed to host websites and provide web content and services over the internet. Web servers typically run software, such as Apache or Microsoft IIS, that is responsible for handling requests from clients and serving content in response.
WLANA wireless local area network (WLAN) is a network that connects devices using wireless technology, such as Wi-Fi. WLANs can be used to provide connectivity within a limited area, such as a home or office, or can be connected to a larger network, such as the internet.

Modbus terminology

TermDefinition
AddressThe location of a register or other data element on a Modbus server. Modbus addresses are typically expressed as 16-bit values, ranging from 0 to 65,535.
ClientA device that initiates communication with a Modbus server by sending requests for data or commands. Also known as a master.
CommandAn instruction or request sent by a Modbus client to a Modbus server. Modbus commands are typically expressed as function codes, which specify the type of operation being requested.
Function codeA code that specifies the type of operation being requested in a Modbus command. Modbus function codes range from 0 to 255 and include codes for reading and writing data, diagnostics, and other operations.
Latching registerA register that retains its value until it is explicitly overwritten or reset. The specific behavior of latching registers may vary depending on the manufacturer.
MasterSee "client"
ModbusA communication protocol that is used to exchange data between devices over a variety of communication links, including serial and Ethernet. Modbus is widely used in industrial and building automation systems to enable devices to communicate with each other and exchange data.
Non-latching registerA register that does not retain its value after power is removed. The specific behavior of non-latching registers may vary depending on the manufacturer.
RegisterA location in the memory of a Modbus server that is used to store or retrieve data. Modbus registers are typically 16 bits in size and are addressed using 16-bit values.
ServerA device that responds to requests for data or commands from a Modbus client. Also known as a slave.
SlaveSee "server"
WordA 16-bit value. Modbus registers are typically addressed and accessed as words, rather than individual bytes.