Glossary
This glossary explains abbreviations, product names, acronyms, protocols, and specialist terms that may be unclear to an operator, installer, administrator, dealer, or end customer reading PowerManage Help.
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0-9 · A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · J · K · L · M · N · O · P · Q · R · S · T · U · V · W · X · Y · Z
0-9
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| 2FA | Two-Factor Authentication — authentication that requires exactly two factors from different categories, for example a password and a one-time code generated on or delivered to a separate device. |
A
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| AC | Alternating Current — mains electrical power, as opposed to battery or DC power. |
| Account | A customer (interactive user) that can be assigned to security system users and then operate the panel via the ConnectAlarm app. |
| Activation | The first-time authorization step (usually with installer code) that allows PowerManage to discover and manage a supported panel. |
| ADM-CID | Ademco Contact ID — a standard alarm communication format for reporting events to a central monitoring station. |
| AES | Advanced Encryption Standard — a symmetric encryption algorithm used to secure panel-to-server communication. |
| AlarmInstall | The mobile application used by installers to enroll, configure, test, and diagnose supported security systems. |
| AOTA | Application Over The Air — remote update of a panel modem application without physical access. |
| API | Application Programming Interface — rules that allow software systems to communicate. |
| APN | Access Point Name. The mobile-network setting that tells a cellular communicator how to connect to a data network. |
| Arm / Disarm | Arm enables intrusion monitoring; disarm disables that monitoring for the selected system or partition. |
| Armed Away | A panel state in which configured perimeter and interior intrusion zones are armed, typically used when the premises are unoccupied. Bypassed and 24-hour zones follow their own configuration. |
| Armed Home / Stay | A panel state intended for occupied premises. Configured perimeter zones remain armed, while designated interior or stay-type zones may be excluded so occupants can move inside. |
| Armed Night | A panel state based on Stay arming that also arms selected night zones, according to the panel configuration. |
| Auto-learning | An automated enrollment process where the panel detects and registers a wireless device without manual input. |
| Automation | Rules or controls that operate smart-home devices, detectors or outputs automatically or on demand. |
| AWS | Amazon Web Services — a cloud computing platform used for hosting. |
B
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| Bare-metal | A physical server (not a virtual machine) — PowerManage can be installed on bare-metal hardware. |
| Basic Configuration | A predefined set of panel settings that can be pushed to one or more panels at once for batch setup. |
| BBA / Broadband | A wired or Wi-Fi IP connection between a panel and PowerManage. Older PowerManage material may label a wired broadband connection as BBA. In PowerManage documentation, BBA commonly means the panel's cable Ethernet/IP connection, as opposed to a cellular/GPRS connection. |
| Bootstrap | The initial connection process when a panel first contacts the LwM2M server to establish communication and make a security key exchange. |
| Bypass | Temporarily excludes a zone or device from normal alarm processing, usually until the system is disarmed or the bypass is removed. |
C
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| Callout | A numbered marker in a screenshot or diagram that identifies a user-interface element described in the accompanying text. |
| CDMA | Code Division Multiple Access — a 2G/3G standard used in some regions. |
| Cellular | Communication between a panel and PowerManage through a mobile network. Older pages may use GPRS as a general label even when newer cellular technologies are used. |
| Central Station / CMS | A monitoring facility that receives and processes alarm signals. Operators follow the site’s response plan, which may include contacting the customer, a guard service, or emergency services. In everyday PowerManage workflows, it normally means the monitoring center or its receiving software. |
| CID | Contact ID. A widely used alarm-reporting format that represents events with standardized numeric codes. |
| Communicator | A hardware module that connects an alarm panel to PowerManage or a monitoring station over Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or cellular service. |
| ConnectAlarm | The mobile application used by end customers to monitor and control supported security systems remotely. |
| Corbus | A proprietary DSC wired communication bus used to connect keypads, zone expanders, and modules to NEO/PSP panels. |
| CPU | Central Processing Unit — the main processor of a device or server. |
| CSV | Comma-Separated Values. A plain-text table format used to import schedules or export lists and reports. |
| CVE | Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures. A public identifier assigned to a known cybersecurity vulnerability. |
D
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| DC-09 | An ANSI/SIA IP alarm-communication standard used to send alarm events over IP networks. |
| Dealer | A security service provider that manages a specific group of panels, users, dealer installers, and related services in PowerManage. |
| Dealer ID / Dealer Plus ID | Identifiers used to associate dealer organizations, staff, groups, panels, registration, or billing records with the correct organization. |
| Dealer Portal | An online management hub where security system dealers and installers apply for dealerships, view active services, and pay invoices online. It provides access to the PowerManage server network used to manage Johnson Controls security panels. |
| Dealer Plus | A dealer that owns a self-hosted PowerManage server and has full access to that server. The first registered dealer on the PowerManage server will always be Dealer Plus. |
| Discovery | A process that queries a panel and identifies its configuration, connected devices, capabilities and current state. |
| DK | Default Key — the initial encryption key used before a unique Working Key (WK) is assigned. |
| DLS (Downloading Software) | DSC remote-programming software used to configure supported panel settings, zones, and options. |
| DNIS | Dialed Number Identification Service — is a field in the CMS (Central Monitoring Station) settings, used to identify the receiver when reporting alarms. |
| DNS | Domain Name System — translates domain names into IP addresses. |
| DSA | Default Super Administrator — is the top-tier user account on a PowerManage instance, sitting above Dealers and Installers in the permission hierarchy. The DSA can access all tabs and data across the server. |
| DSC | Digital Security Controls — a security panel and communicator manufacturer within Johnson Controls. |
| Dual Path | Panel/communicator that connects to the PowerManage server over two independent communication paths simultaneously — typically PSTN/cellular and broadband (Ethernet). The specific hardware model is the Bentel BLE320 — it is the Dual Path communicator explicitly supported by PowerManage. |
E
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| EDGE | Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution — faster 2G variant. |
| EIU | Event Interface User — a PowerManage user type with event-viewing permissions. |
| Enrolled | A device (sensor, module, tag) that has been registered to a panel and is actively monitored. |
| Enrollment | The process of registering a panel, device, installer, or user so that it becomes known to PowerManage or to the panel. |
| EOL | End of Life — a product, software, or hardware component is retired by its maker. |
| Ethernet | A wired local-network technology. In older PowerManage terminology, cable Ethernet may be called BBA. |
| Event | A time-stamped system message such as an alarm, restore, arm/disarm action, fault, tamper, or communication change. |
| Event Path | The communication route an alarm event takes from the panel to the central station or PowerManage server. |
F
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| Fault / Trouble | The condition as reported by the panel (e.g., "AC failure trouble", "low battery trouble", "line failure trouble"). Terminology varies by panel family and UI. |
| FEP | Front-End Processor — a component or protocol interface used by some central stations. |
| Firmware | Software stored in a panel, communicator, keypad, or other device. Firmware updates can add features, compatibility, or fixes. |
| FOTA | Firmware Over The Air — remote firmware update without physical access. |
| FTP | File Transfer Protocol — a network method for transferring files. |
G
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| Geo redundancy | A disaster-recovery arrangement in which systems at separate geographic sites can replicate data and take over services after an outage. |
| Geofence | A virtual geographic boundary used by ConnectAlarm to detect when a device enters or leaves an area. |
| GPRS | General Packet Radio Service. An older cellular data technology. PowerManage documentation may also use GPRS informally to mean the panel's cellular data path. |
| Group | A logical container for panels on PowerManage, used to organize panels by dealer ownership, settings, and access control. |
| GSM | Global System for Mobile Communications. A cellular-network family; in older security-system documentation it may be used as a general term for cellular communication. |
| GUI | Graphical User Interface — the visual interface of an application. |
H
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| Heartbeat / Keep-Alive (KA) | A periodic message confirming that a panel or service remains connected and responsive. If expected messages stop, PowerManage may report the panel or service as offline. |
| HTTP | Hypertext Transfer Protocol — a protocol for transferring web content. |
| HTTPS | HTTP Secure — encrypted HTTP using TLS. |
I
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| ICCID | Integrated Circuit Card Identifier. The unique serial number of a SIM card. |
| ICMP | Internet Control Message Protocol — a network diagnostics protocol used by tools such as ping. |
| IMEI | International Mobile Equipment Identity. A unique identifier for IQ panels and cellular modems. |
| Installer code | A privileged code used to install, activate, configure, or service a panel. It is different from a normal user code. |
| Interactive session | Remote end-user functions such as arm/disarm, status viewing, event viewing, image access, home-automation control or panel configuration via mobile applications such as ConnectAlarm and AlarmInstall. |
| IP | Internet Protocol. The networking method used by Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and cellular data connections to exchange information. |
| IP receiver | A server function that receives alarm and status messages from security panels over IP networks. |
| IQ | Qolsys IQ — a modern family of security and smart-home panels. |
| IQMS | IQ Management Server — the cloud solution used for remote IQ panel software upgrades and diagnostic log analysis. |
| IR | Infrared — technology used in motion sensors and remote controls. |
| ITv2 | Proprietary IP communication protocol and integration driver. A panel-to-server communication protocol used by supported DSC/Neo-family systems. It allows DSC alarm control panels (specifically the PowerSeries Neo and PowerSeries Pro lines) to connect with PowerManage. |
J
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| JC2 | Johnson Controls Cloud 2 — a cloud platform in the PowerManage ecosystem. May also refer to the Dealer Portal. |
| JCI | Johnson Controls International — the parent company associated with DSC, Visonic, Qolsys and PowerManage. |
K
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| Keyfob | A small handheld wireless device used to arm, disarm, trigger panic functions, or control other panel actions. |
| Keypad | A physical or virtual interface used to enter codes, arm or disarm the system, and operate panel functions. |
L
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| LCD | Liquid Crystal Display — a type of screen used on keypads and panels. |
| LED | Light-Emitting Diode — an indicator light on panels, keypads, or devices. |
| Lockout | A security mechanism that blocks login attempts after repeated failed authentication (e.g. wrong PIN or password). |
| LTE | Long-Term Evolution. A mobile broadband technology commonly called 4G. |
| LwM2M | Lightweight Machine-to-Machine — an IoT protocol used by supported IQ panels. |
M
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| MB | Message Broker — in this context, an SMS gateway provider configuration. |
| MCC | Mobile Country Code — a code identifying the country of a mobile network. |
| Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) | Authentication that requires factors from at least two different categories, such as something the user knows (password) and something the user has (one-time code or security key). |
| MLR2 | A Sur-Gard receiver communication format/protocol used to forward alarm events to central-station automation systems. |
| MMI | Machine Management Interface. The administrative interface used to configure and maintain the PowerManage server and system-level settings. |
| MNC | Mobile Network Code — a code identifying a mobile operator within a country. |
| MQTT | Message Queuing Telemetry Transport. A lightweight messaging protocol; PowerManage uses an MQTT-based mechanism for reliable wake-up communication with Neo 5 cellular panels. |
N
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| NAP | Network Access Point — a Visonic central-station communication protocol; variants include VIS NAP V2 and V3. |
| Neo / PowerSeries Neo (NEO) | A DSC family of modular intrusion alarm panels. Neo 5 refer to newer members or revisions of this family. |
O
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| OnVIF | Open Network Video Interface Forum. An interoperability standard used by compatible IP cameras and video systems. |
| OTP | One-Time Password (or one-time passcode) — a temporary authentication value intended for a single use, often during registration, sign-in, or multi-factor authentication. |
| Output / PGM | A controllable electrical output on a panel or module. PGM means Programmable Output and can operate devices such as relays, sirens, lights, or indicators. |
P
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| Panel | The main alarm control unit that receives signals from sensors, manages users and partitions, and reports events. |
| Partition | An independently armed or disarmed area within one alarm system, such as separate floors, departments, or buildings. |
| Portable Document Format. A fixed-layout file format used for downloadable reports and documentation. | |
| Pre-Enrollment (PE) | Adding a panel's details to PowerManage before the panel connects, so the server can recognize and associate it on first contact. |
| Peripheral | A device connected to a panel, such as a detector, keypad, siren, communicator, expansion module, or output module. |
| PIN | Personal Identification Number — a numeric code used for panel access or authentication. |
| PIR | Passive Infrared. A motion-detection technology that senses changes in infrared energy caused by moving people or animals. |
| PowerG | Johnson Controls' long-range wireless technology used by compatible sensors, keypads, sirens, cameras, and alarm panels. |
| PowerManage | A centralized service management platform by Johnson Controls (JCI) designed to monitor, manage, and diagnose multiple alarm and security systems from a single interface. |
| PowerSeries Pro (PSP) | A DSC family of commercial intrusion alarm panels. PSP is an abbreviated label used in some PowerManage material. |
| Process | A batch operation applied to panels — e.g. firmware push, configuration push, discovery, or remote inspection. |
| Proximity Tag | An RFID tag used for contactless arming/disarming of the panel (e.g. by tapping a reader or door lock). |
Q
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| Quazar | DSC alarm communicator family — specifically the line of Internet/cellular alarm communicators (TL280, TL2803G, 3G2080, etc.) that connect DSC PowerSeries NEO panels to PowerManage via the Fibro protocol. |
R
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| Receiver | A component (hardware or software) at a central station that receives alarm signals from panels. |
| Redundancy | Redundancy in PowerManage ensures system availability and resilience. It provides a mechanism for a secondary server to take over if the primary (Master) server fails. |
| Refresh | Re-downloading the current configuration from a panel to synchronize the PowerManage record with the panel's actual settings. |
| Remote Inspection (RI) | A remote diagnostic check of a panel and, where supported, its connected devices, performed without a site visit. |
| Repository | The service from which PowerManage obtains licenses, SSL certificates, feature entitlements, firmware packages, or other managed content. |
| RFID | Radio-Frequency Identification — wireless identification technology used by proximity tags and readers. |
| Rotation | A scheduled process that clears old data (e.g. events, audit logs and more) to manage storage. |
| RRI | Routine Remote Inspection. A scheduled remote check of a panel and its connected devices to identify faults without a site visit. |
| RSM | Remote Status Module — a peripheral that displays panel status remotely. |
| RSSI | Received Signal Strength Indicator. A measurement of wireless signal strength between a device and its receiver or panel. |
| RSU | Remote Software Update. The service used to distribute and install firmware or software updates remotely. |
| RTSP | Real-Time Streaming Protocol. A network protocol used to request and control audio/video streams from compatible IP cameras. |
| Rule Engine | A PowerManage feature that automates actions based on conditions (e.g. "if a panel goes offline, send an email"). Also called Home Automation. |
S
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| Self-hosted PowerManage | A PowerManage server owned and operated by Dealer Plus, either on local hardware or in a cloud environment. |
| Self-Registration | A feature allowing staff, interactive users or installers to create a PowerManage account without administrator intervention. |
| SIA | Security Industry Association. In a protocol context, SIA usually refers to standardized alarm-event formats. |
| SIM | Subscriber Identity Module. The card or embedded identity that allows a communicator to use a cellular network. |
| Site | The customer premises or logical location associated with a security panel and its devices. |
| SMS | Short Message Service. Standard mobile text messaging; some panel workflows use SMS to wake a cellular communicator or deliver notifications. |
| SMTP | Simple Mail Transfer Protocol — a protocol for sending email. |
| SNMP | Simple Network Management Protocol — a protocol for monitoring and managing network devices. |
| Soak test | A test mode in which a detector remains active and is monitored for unwanted activations without generating normal alarm consequences. |
| Staff | A PowerManage web user who works for an operator, administrator, dealer, or service organization. This is distinct from a panel user or account (interactive user). |
| SRF | Short Range Frequency — short-range wireless communication between a panel and nearby devices. |
| SSL | Secure Sockets Layer — a legacy predecessor of TLS for encrypted communication. |
| Supervision | The server's monitoring of panel keep-alive signals — if a panel stops sending heartbeats, it is flagged as offline. |
| Sur-Gard | A Johnson Controls/DSC family of alarm receivers and communication formats used by central monitoring stations. |
T
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| Tamper | A condition indicating that a panel, detector, siren, enclosure, or communication device may have been opened, removed, or interfered with. |
| TCP | Transmission Control Protocol — a reliable, connection-oriented network protocol. |
| TLS | Transport Layer Security. Encryption used to protect data exchanged over a network. |
| TTL | Time To Live — a context-dependent limit on validity. For tokens or cached data it is usually a duration. |
U
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| UDP | User Datagram Protocol — a fast, connectionless network protocol. |
| UI | User Interface. The screens, menus, controls, messages, and visual elements with which a person interacts. |
| UUID | Universally Unique Identifier — an identifier designed to be globally unique. |
V
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| VOD | Video on Demand. A function that lets an authorized user request current or recent images/video from a compatible camera outside an alarm event. |
| VPN | Virtual Private Network — an encrypted network tunnel for secure remote access. |
W
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| W2W | Wireless-to-Wireless — a wireless repeater or extension arrangement. |
| WCDMA | Wideband Code Division Multiple Access — 3G cellular. |
| Wi-Fi | A wireless local-network connection used by supported panels, communicators, cameras, or user devices. |
| WK | Working Key — the active encryption key used after the Default Key (DK) is replaced. |
X
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| — | No glossary entries for this letter. |
Y
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| — | No glossary entries for this letter. |
Z
| Term / abbreviation | Full name / meaning |
|---|---|
| Z-Wave | A wireless smart-home protocol used by compatible locks, lights, thermostats, and other automation devices. |
| Zigbee | A low-power wireless mesh protocol used by compatible smart-home and IoT devices for monitoring and automation. |
| Zone | A logical alarm input associated with a detector or monitored circuit, such as a door contact, motion detector, smoke detector, or panic input. |
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