Machine to machine (M2M) refers to direct communication between devices using wired and wireless communication channels. In different industries such communication may be referred to by different abbreviations (SmartGrid, Smart Buildings, Smart Cars and alike, V2V, V2I and V2x - "vehicle to vehicle", "vehicle to infrastructure" and "vehicle to anything").
IoT is an acronym for Internet of Things. Wikipedia defines IoT as the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances, and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and connectivity which enables these things to connect and exchange data.
Many consider M2M to be at the core of IoT. In this regard IoT is simply a broader concept. IoT lets devices speak with one another through a much larger network. M2M is what provides the Internet of Things with the connectivity that enables capabilities that would not be possible without it.
A subscriber identity module or subscriber identification module (SIM), known as a SIM card, stores information that is used to identify a subscriber on mobile devices. A SIM card is a small chip that is inserted into a mobile device.
There are different kinds of SIM cards. Most common today are plastic SIM cards which come in 3 different sizes: 2FF – Mini, 3FF –Micro and 2FF- Nano. Plastic SIM cards can be removed to be used in other mobile devices. SIM cards can be manufactured for different environments and come in commercial and industrial strength versions.
There are also SIM cards packages in ceramic miniature packaging that can be soldered directly to the PCB – Printed Circuit Board of the device. There is more than one type of SIM. Most common is MFF2 type with 8 pins. In addition, a SIM can be embedded in other integrated circuits devices which also soldered directly to the PCB. This kinds of SIM cards are not removable, but could be reprogrammed with another network profile if required to change the network provider.
Learn more about IoT eSIMs fom OneSimCard.
An Access Point Name (APN) is the name of a gateway between a GSM, GPRS, 3G or 4G mobile network and another computer network, usually the public Internet.
A device making a data connection must be configured with an APN that will be sent to the mobile network carrier. After analyzing this APN, the carrier will determine what type of network connection should be created. For example: which IP addresses should be assigned to a wireless device, which security methods should be used, and how or if, it should be connected to a private customer network.
An APN can be either public or private.
Every network provider has a public APN. When the SIM card is enabled for data e.g. GPRS/3G/4G, the public APN is added by default. A Public APN is open for everyone to use.
Private APN allows to limit access to devices to a narrow network. If the device does not have such APN pre-programmed, it will not be able to access the internet. The number of SIM cards with private APN can be as few as one or as many as 1 million. Learn more about Private APNs.
An Internet Protocol address (IP address) is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. An IP address serves two principal functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing.
Public IP addresses (sometimes called Internet IPs) are what differentiate all devices that are plugged into the public internet. An IP address works similarly to a physical location’s street address. Just like a street address directs mail to the addressee, IP address directs data to the appropriate device.
An Internet Protocol address (IP address) is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. An IP address serves two principal functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing.
Public IP addresses (sometimes called Internet IPs) are what differentiate all devices that are plugged into the public internet. An IP address works similarly to a physical location’s street address. Just like a street address directs mail to the addressee; IP address directs data to the appropriate device.
A fixed IP address is sometimes referred to as a static or dedicated IP address. It is called fixed because it does not change as device connects and disconnects from the network.
Pretty much any device that can use an IP address can be configured to have a static IP address. This may be done through the device giving out IP addresses (like the router) or by manually typing the IP address into the device from the device itself.
Learn more about static IP.
A static public IP allows connection to the device that has such IP from any machine anywhere. Such convenience often creates certain security risks which need to be addressed by the device owner (passwords, multilayered verifications, firewalls, etc).
Unlike Public IP, Private IP is hidden. The only way to access Private IP is by using a VPN, which in turn makes such connection more secure.
A virtual private network (VPN) enables users and devices to securely send and receive data across shared or public networks. VPN is like an extension of a private network across a public network (the internet). Learn more about VPN.
3G is short for third generation of wireless mobile telecommunications technology. It is an upgrade for 2G and 2.5G GPRS networks for faster internet speed.
4G is the fourth generation of broadband cellular network technology that succeeded 3G.
GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) is a standard that describes the protocols for second-generation digital cellular networks used by mobile devices.
The home location register (HLR) is a database that contains details of each SIM card subscriber that is authorized to use a particular GSM network. HLR is maintained by the network operator. Each SIM has a unique identifier called an IMSI which is the primary key to each HLR record.
Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) is a secure network protocol suite that authenticates and encrypts the packets of data sent over an internet protocol network. It is used in virtual private networks (VPNs).
Internet Protocol security (IPsec) uses cryptographic security services to protect communications over Internet Protocol (IP) networks. IPsec supports network-level peer authentication, data-origin authentication, data integrity, data confidentiality (encryption), and replay protection.
OpenVPN is a free and open-source software application for virtual private network (VPN) implementation. OpenVPN uses a custom security protocol that utilizes SSL/TLS for key exchange. This allows the creation of secure point-to-point or site-to-site connections in routed or bridged configurations and remote access facilities.
