N
NAA
See Network Administration Application (NAA).
NaaS
See Network as a Service (NaaS).
NAC
namespace
An XML element used by web services that enables client applications to distinguish between data types that are named the same but defined differently. Unique namespaces allow an XML parser to interpret XML files correctly when multiple applications are using the same web service to communicate with one another.
NAN
See neighborhood area network (NAN).
Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT)
A low power wide area network radio technology standard developed by 3GPP to enable a wide range of cellular devices and services.
Narval+ Combine
A unique solution to cover hot and cold water needs in residential settings. Utilizing the acclaimed and familiar easy-to-install features from previous generations, Narval+ Combiné also serves as a steppingstone to modern water networks by being fully compatible with remote reading systems for walk-by/drive-by data collection or network-based operations.
NASPI
See North American SynchroPhaser Initiative.
NAT
See network address translation (NAT).
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
the largest trade association of electrical equipment manufacturers in the United States. Founded in 1926, it advocates for the industry, and publishes standards for electrical products.
National Electricity Market (NEM)
The Australian wholesale electricity market and the associated synchronous electricity transmission grid, which meets the demand of more than eight million Australian consumers annually. The NEM uses pool arrangements to exchange electricity between energy consumers and energy producers.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
The federal technology agency that works with industry to develop and apply technology, measurements, and standards.
navigation pane
One of several panes that make up an application’s main window in some software user interfaces. The navigation pane consists of workbench buttons at the bottom of the navigation pane. Each workbench button provides access to a group of related views and functions called a workbench. A navigation tree that consists of a series of nodes—usually arranged in a tree structure—makes up the selected workbench. Each node opens a view, report, form, commands, procedures, or other items to which the workbench provides access.
NB-IoT
See Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT).
NC
See Network Center.
NCE
See Network Collection Engine (NCE).
NCNR
See non-cancelable non-returnable (NCNR).
Near field communication (NFC)
A set of communication protocols that enables communication between two electronic devices.
Near field communication (NFC) Field Tool
An application used for maintenance and installation activity on Intelis wSource products through the NFC communication protocol.
NEC
See Network Event Collector (NEC).
neighborhood area network (NAN)
A wireless community that provides wireless device users anonymous and quick access to the Internet. A NAN is built around one or more access points covering a small geographic area (the neighborhood). The coverage can be up to 1 kilometer in radius if the owner of the access point is using an omni-directional antenna. Neighbors participating in the NAN use directional antennas pointing toward the access point.
neighbor table
A memory structure within each Itron NIC to store data about its neighboring NIC-enabled devices.
NEM
NEMA
See National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA).
NERC
See North American Energy Reliability Council (NERC).
net energy metering (NEM)
Billing program serving consumers who produce and feed energy into the grid and use energy when needed. For example, a consumer with solar panels on their home may produce more energy than they can use. They feed the excess energy into the grid and use energy from the utility when their solar panels do not produce sufficient energy to meet their demand. The energy produced, less the energy consumed equals net energy.
Net Manager (net_mgr)
A stand-alone, server-based Linux command-line utility that is available to Itron customers on an as needed basis. Using the version of Net Manager specific to your UtilOS firmware version, you are able to communicate with devices connected to the Itron mesh network.
Net Manager Secure (net_mgrs)
A wrapper for Net Manager (net_mgr) that adds encryption, integrity, and authentication to Net Manager operations through the use of secure associations. The creation and use of secure associations requires a shared secret, which is protected by and uses a keystore, Itron KeySafe, or high-strength KeySafe. In addition to the creation of secure associations, Net Manager Secure automatically performs other secure association management functions, such as renewing expired associations.
net metering
The final result of applying power generated against power purchased for customers who both generate and purchase power. A net register calculates energy to be billed by subtracting power received from the customer from the power delivered to the customer.
network access control (NAC)
A computer network security approach that enables and enforces role-based network access by forcing user or machine authentication before allowing access to the network. Access is based on an assessment of the user or machine’s security status, such as the presence of anti-virus software and personal firewalls. Several major networking vendors provide proprietary NAC products.
network address translation (NAT)
The process of modifying global IP addresses into internal IP packet header addresses, so that multiple hosts with private IP addresses share a single external IP address while remaining protected by firewalls. A NAT converts the address of each LAN node into one IP address. It can also provide security by hiding individual IP addresses from the outside world.
Network Administration Application (NAA)
The primary user interface for Fixed Network that provides features and functionality for monitoring, maintaining, and reporting on network operations and endpoint operations within the system.
network admission control (NAC)
Cisco®-proprietary version of network access control (NAC). A computer network security approach that enables and enforces role-based network access by forcing user or machine authentication before allowing access to the network. Access is based on an assessment of the user or machine’s security status, such as the presence of anti-virus software and personal firewalls.
Network as a Service (NaaS)
Services for network transport connectivity. NaaS involves the optimization of resource allocations by considering network and computing resources as a unified whole.
Network Center
A network management application that provides advanced network management capabilities such as fault management and performance management.
Network Center ES
A customized version of Elasticsearch search software used by Network Center.
Network Collection Engine (NCE)
The non-user interface components of Itron’s Fixed Network software.
network discovery
When a new node is first energized, it broadcasts a discovery message. The discovery message is received by all Itron NICs that share the same Bridge Master.
Networked Lighting Controller (NLC)
A photocell device that sits on top of a streetlight or is built inside of it. It is designed to control and monitor a particular device. Some devices have a serial port to connect to another device, such as a sensor (a pollution sensor, for example). NLCs communicate with Streetlight.Vision (SLV) software through the Itron mesh network using Access Point (AP)s, Relays, or Gateway.
See also:
Network Element Manager (NEM)
An Itron application that provides fault management through asynchronous notifications to alert operators of potential issues at a remote node without waiting for a polling schedule to request status.
NEM receives notifications, including electricity meter last gasps, forwarded by neighbor nodes acting as proxies for the node emitting the last gasp. When an electricity meter loses power, its NIC can emit a last gasp message. Neighbor nodes forward all last gasps they receive.
Network Event Collector (NEC)
A centralized NIC and application event collection and repository for Itron and third-party applications. NEC reads new events from NICs and load control switch (LCS) devices at a scheduled interval or on demand, and sends them to applications through a JMS queue. You can use the JMX console to schedule the job with a cron expression. An application may also schedule on-demand jobs through a web service API.
network ID
A two-byte (16-bit) value that provides logical separation of overlapping networks by limiting neighbor discovery to devices with a matching network ID. Its primary function is to logically separate adjoining customer networks from each other.
network interface card (NIC)
The module installed in meters and Itron devices that communicates across the Itron mesh network.
Network Library
A library of commands for running jobs on the network.
Network Management System (NMS)
The head end of an AMI system that manages the AMI communications network.
Network Manager
Network Manager Entity (NM Entity) Certificate Authority
Signer of the Network Manager Entity (NM Entity) certificates. There may be multiple Certificate Authorities with different privileges, depending on operator requirements.
Network Manager Entity (NM Entity) certificates
Certificates used in the certificate chain, based on the Net Manager protocol proprietary to Itron. These certificates are issued to the programs that manage the smart grid.
Network Manager Secure
See Net Manager Secure (net_mgrs).
network operations center (NOC)
One or more locations from which control over a computer network or telecommunications network is exercised. NOCs monitor the network for alarms and conditions that require attention to maintain the network’s performance, and mitigate those conditions when they occur.
Network Operations Manager (NOM)
A system component responsible for the operation and management of network communications. NOM manages communication of the Point-to-Point (PP3) network interface to gateways (communication devices), and the Point-to-Multipoint (PM1) network interface to remote devices (meters).
Network Performance Application (NPA)
The component of Itron's Fixed Network software that monitors network deployment and operations. NPA includes an interactive dashboard and extensive reporting functionality.
Network Provider
A third-party network, such as Verizon® Internet of Things (IoT), Wireless Smart Utility Network (Wi-SUN®), AT&T®, and Vodaphone®.
Network Security
A software that is part of the Shared Services Components (SSC). It is responsible for handling the NetManager security.
Network Time Protocol (NTP)
An internet protocol used to synchronize the clock times between computer systems or network devices to within a few milliseconds of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). NTP typically coordinates the time between network devices communicating through packet switching or a variable-latency data network.
network time protocol (NTP) server
A server in a client-server model, that is attached or synchronized to a high-precision timekeeping device, such as an atomic clock or GPS clock. The NTP server sends time stamps to its NTP clients using networking communications such as, broadcasting, multicasting, or User Data Protocol (UDP). The NTP client synchronizes the time clocks of all participating devices within its network to within a few milliseconds of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
Network Web Application (NWA)
An Itron Fixed Network web-based user interface used primarily by customer service representatives (CSRs) to capture daily, hourly, or on-demand endpoint reads.
new product introduction (NPI)
The process that takes an idea from an initial working prototype to a thoroughly refined and reproducible final product.
new service
A new, not previously registered, customer account or meter.
NFC
See Near field communication (NFC).
See Near field communication (NFC) Field Tool.
NIC
See network interface card (NIC).
NICNAC
The secure communications library Itron uses to communicate securely with devices.
NIST
See National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
NLC
See Networked Lighting Controller (NLC).
NMEntity (Network Manager Entity)
See Network Manager Entity (NM Entity) certificates.
NMS
See Network Management System (NMS).
NOC
See network operations center (NOC).
node
A network device. Examples include electricity meters, Relays, and IMUs. In SensorIQ Application, refers to a single instance of the application, and SensorIQ can run in a cluster that distributes load among nodes for increased overall processing power.
node, network
A cell relay, meter, or server.
nodeq
A list of all neighboring nodes which are currently in the active state – meaning that links to each have been established and are currently being maintained. Also known as node queue. See also neighbor table.
node queue
See nodeq.
NodeSim
An Itron application for simulating meter endpoints in the network to aid development and test purposes with the UtilityIQ software applications. NodeSim is used primarily for large-scale testing (hundreds to millions of Itron smart devices), testing features that cannot easily be reproduced on real meters, such as generating certain event logs or setting status flags, and for development and troubleshooting in a controlled and reproducible environment.
NOM
See Network Operations Manager (NOM).
non-cancelable non-returnable (NCNR)
A term applied to a product order indicating that the purchaser cannot cancel the order, reduce in number the products ordered, or return the order except in case of a product defect.
nonce
An arbitrary number used in cryptographic communications that is generated for security purposes. A nonce is generated and used only one time in any security session—during the authentication challenge when a meter registers or when it re-authenticates.
non-consumable inventory
Inventory items that do not get installed or used up. Non-consumable items can be serialized (items with serial numbers, such as data collection devices and cell phones) or non-serialized, such as screwdrivers and other hand tools.
non line of sight (NLOS)
When the path between a transmitter and a receiver is completely or partially obscured by houses, trees, and other objects.
non-repudiation
Assurance that the validity of data being transmitted cannot be denied or rejected. A common application of non-repudiation is signature verification and trust.
non-revenue water (NRW)
The amount of water in a system that cannot be accounted for and therefore cannot be billed. Most common sources for non-revenue water are theft, under-performing water meters, system design flaws, and leaks.
Also called unaccounted-for water.
non-route data
Data that is imported or collected, but is not part of the data collection route. This data includes any new or revised code information, system messages, and parameter information.
non-serialized inventory
Inventory items without serial numbers. Non-serialized items can be consumable—those that get installed or used up, such as door hangers and screws—or non-consumable, such as hand tools used to perform installations or maintenance.
non-technical loss
Power system losses attributed to factors external to power transmission and distribution that are not naturally occurring or expected. Common causes for these losses are deliberate tampering with the system, component malfunctions or misconfigurations, billing errors. Nontechnical losses between 1 and 2% are typical, but these losses can be much higher depending on the region and other factors. See also technical losses.
non-value-added (NVA)
Contributing nothing to a product or service and generating a zero or negative return on the investment of resources; waste.
non-volatile memory (NVM)
A type of electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) chip used for easy and fast information storage.
normalization
Translation of data from specific data formats received from various meters (DLMS/COSEM, C12.22) to the standard XML data contract OpenWay uses to publish out its meter data. This translation process includes unpacking the meter data from the raw message, converting the values to the base quantity (for example, converting kilowatt hour to watt hour), translating any device-specific events to an internal OpenWay event list, and translating any device specific reading codes (status codes) to an internal OpenWay list.
normal mode
One of the operating modes of the meter that includes all routine meter operations.
North American Energy Reliability Council (NERC)
An organization formed by the electric utility industry in 1968 to promote the reliability and adequacy of bulk power supplies in North American utility systems.
North American SynchroPhaser Initiative
A collaborative effort involving the United States Department of Energy (DOE), the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), and North American electric utilities, vendors, consultants, and federal and private researchers and academics. NASPI ’s mission is to improve power system reliability and visibility through wide area measurement and control. Its activities are funded by DOE and NERC, and by the voluntary efforts of industry members and experts.
not registered
The status of an endpoint when it has either not registered or has deregistered.
not validated (NV)
Common readings file (CRF) validation attribute value meaning that the data is not validated (NV).
not yet registered
The state of a device that has not yet been defined as an authorized member of the network.
NPA
See Network Performance Application (NPA).
NPI
See new product introduction (NPI).
NRW
n-tier data application
Data applications that have clear separations between the tiers that make up the application. Tiers may communicate through services such as web services. Examples of tiers typically include a presentation tier, a middle tier, and a data tier. Separating the components into tiers provides maintainability and scalability of the application. N-tier applications typically store sensitive information in a middle tier to maintain isolation from the presentation tier. N-tier data applications are sometimes called n-layer applications or distributed applications.
NTP
See Network Time Protocol (NTP).
NVA
NVM
See non-volatile memory (NVM).