Glossary · IIoT, data and AI
Data transfer
Also known as: Data transmission
German: Datenübertragung
In automation and IT, data transfer is the movement of data from one device, system or location to another over a communication channel, such as a fieldbus, Ethernet network, wireless link or storage medium, according to a defined protocol.
- IIoT
In one sentence
Data transfer is the movement of data between devices or systems over a communication channel according to a defined protocol.
Example
Recipe parameters are transferred from the MES to the PLC over OPC UA before each batch, and the PLC confirms receipt with a checksum.
How it applies
- Engineering: Specify for each transfer the protocol, direction, data format, rate, latency requirements, and how completeness and integrity are checked.
- Security: Transfers crossing zone boundaries should pass through defined conduits and be protected against manipulation and eavesdropping where the risk requires it (see Conduit).
- Documentation: Interface descriptions list transferred data items with units, ranges and update rates, and describe behavior on transfer errors. Keep them versioned together with the software.
Protocol vs. data model
A protocol defines how data is transferred: message structure, sequence and error handling. A Data model defines what the data means. A successful transfer over a correct protocol can still deliver values that the receiver interprets wrongly if the data model is not agreed.