openhab-docs/v2.1/concepts/index.html

912 lines
42 KiB
HTML

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<!--<link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://www.openhab.org/favicon.png"></link>-->
<title>openHAB 2 - Empowering the Smart Home</title>
<!-- CSS -->
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="/v2.1/css/materialize.css" media="screen,projection" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="/v2.1/css/pygments-jekyll-style.css" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="/v2.1/css/styles.css" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="/v2.1/css/openhab.css" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="/v2.1/css/collapsible.css" />
<!-- Font -->
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/icon?family=Material+Icons" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Lato:300,400,700" />
<link rel="canonical" href="http://docs.openhab.org/concepts/" />
<script type="text/javascript">var gaProperty = 'UA-47717934-3';var disableStr = 'ga-disable-' + gaProperty;if (document.cookie.indexOf(disableStr + '=true') > -1) {window[disableStr] = true;}</script>
<script>
(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),
m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)
})(window,document,'script','https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga');
ga('create', 'UA-47717934-3', 'auto');
ga('set', 'anonymizeIp', true);
ga('send', 'pageview');
</script>
</head>
<body class="documentation">
<div id="header" class="navbar-fixed">
<nav role="navigation">
<div class="container">
<div class="nav-wrapper">
<a href="/v2.1/index.html"><img id="logo" src="/images/logo.png" /></a>
<a href="#" data-activates="nav-mobile" class="button-collapse"><i class="material-icons">menu</i></a>
<ul class="right hide-on-med-and-down">
<li><a href="/tutorials/index.html">Tutorials</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/introduction.html">User Manual</a></li>
<li><a href="/developers/index.html">Developer Guide</a></li>
<li><a target="_blank" href="https://community.openhab.org">Community Forum</a></li>
<li><a target="_blank" href="https://github.com/openhab">GitHub</a></li>
<li class="search"><i class="material-icons">search</i></li>
<li class="search">
<form method="GET" id="searchform" class="search-form" action="/search">
<input id="query" name="q" type="text" class="search-form-input" placeholder="search" />
</form>
</li>
</ul>
<ul id="nav-mobile" class="side-nav">
<li><a href="/v2.1/index.html">Home</a></li>
<li><a href="/tutorials/index.html">Tutorials</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/introduction.html">User Manual</a></li>
<li><a href="/developers/index.html">Developer Guide</a></li>
<li><a target="_blank" href="https://community.openhab.org">Community Forum</a></li>
<li><a target="_blank" href="https://github.com/openhab">GitHub</a></li>
<li class="search">
<form method="GET" id="searchformmob" class="search-form" action="/search">
<input id="querymob" name="q" type="text" class="search-form-input" placeholder="search" />
</form>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</nav>
</div>
<section id="documentation" class="text content-wrapper">
<div class="container">
<div class="side-nav-wrapper">
<ul class="nav">
<li><a href="/v2.1/introduction.html">Introduction</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/concepts/index.html">Concepts</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="/v2.1/concepts/index.html">Overview</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="/v2.1/concepts/things.html">Things</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/concepts/items.html">Items</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/concepts/discovery.html">Inbox &amp; Discovery</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/concepts/audio.html">Audio &amp; Voice</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/installation/index.html">Installation</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="/v2.1/installation/index.html">Overview</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="/v2.1/installation/linux.html">Linux</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/installation/windows.html">Windows</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/installation/macosx.html">Mac OS X</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="/v2.1/installation/openhabian.html">openHABian</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/installation/docker.html">Docker</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="/v2.1/installation/rasppi.html">Raspberry Pi</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/installation/pine.html">Pine A64</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/installation/synology.html">Synology DiskStation</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/installation/qnap.html">QNAP NAS</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="/v2.1/installation/designer.html">SmartHome Designer</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/installation/security.html">Security &amp; Remote Access</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.myopenhab.org">myopenHAB</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/configuration/index.html">Configuration</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="/v2.1/configuration/index.html">Overview</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="/v2.1/configuration/things.html">Things</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/configuration/items.html">Items</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/configuration/sitemaps.html">Sitemaps</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/configuration/transform.html">Transformations</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/configuration/persistence.html">Persistence</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/configuration/rules-dsl.html">Rules</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/configuration/services.html">Services</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="/v2.1/configuration/packages.html">Initial Setup Packages</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/configuration/paperui.html">Paper UI</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/configuration/habmin.html">HABmin</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/configuration/rules-ng.html">Rules (Experimental)</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="/v2.1/configuration/multimedia.html">Audio &amp; Voice</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/index.html">Add-ons</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/index.html">Overview</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings.html">Bindings</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings.html">Overview</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/airquality/readme.html">Air Quality</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/akm8681/readme.html">AKM868</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/alarmdecoder1/readme.html">Alarm Decoder</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/allplay/readme.html">AllPlay</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/amazondashbutton/readme.html">Amazon Dash Button</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/anel1/readme.html">Anel NET-PwrCtrl</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/asterisk1/readme.html">Asterisk</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/astro/readme.html">Astro</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/astro1/readme.html">Astro</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/atlona/readme.html">Atlona</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/autelis/readme.html">Autelis Pool Control</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/autelis1/readme.html">Autelis</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/avmfritz/readme.html">AVM FRITZ!</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/benqprojector1/readme.html">BenQ Projector</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/bigassfan/readme.html">BigAssFan</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/bluetooth1/readme.html">Bluetooth</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/boschindego/readme.html">Bosch Indego</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/bticino1/readme.html">Bticino</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/caldav-command1/readme.html">CalDAV Command</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/caldav-personal1/readme.html">CalDAV Personal</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/chromecast/readme.html">Chromecast</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/comfoair1/readme.html">ComfoAir</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/configadmin1/readme.html">ConfigAdmin</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/coolmasternet/readme.html">CoolMasterNet</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/cups1/readme.html">CUPS</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/daikin1/readme.html">Daikin</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/davis1/readme.html">Davis</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/ddwrt1/readme.html">DD-WRT</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/denon1/readme.html">Denon</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/digitalstrom/readme.html">digitalSTROM</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/digitalstrom1/readme.html">digitalSTROM</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/diyonxbee1/readme.html">DIYOnXBee</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/dlinksmarthome/readme.html">D-Link Smart Home</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/dmx1/readme.html">DMX</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/dscalarm/readme.html">DSC Alarm</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/dscalarm1/readme.html">DSC PowerSeries Alarm System</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/dsmr1/readme.html">DSMR</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/ebus1/readme.html">eBUS</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/ecobee1/readme.html">Ecobee</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/ecotouch1/readme.html">EcoTouch</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/ekey1/readme.html">ekey</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/energenie1/readme.html">Energenie</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/enocean1/readme.html">EnOcean</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/enphaseenergy1/readme.html">Enphase Energy</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/epsonprojector1/readme.html">Epson Projector</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/exec/readme.html">Exec</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/exec1/readme.html">Exec</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/expire1/readme.html">Expire</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/fatekplc1/readme.html">Fatek PLC</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/feed/readme.html">Feed</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/fht1/readme.html">FHT</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/folding/readme.html">Folding@home</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/freebox/readme.html">Freebox</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/freebox1/readme.html">Freebox</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/freeswitch1/readme.html">FreeSWITCH</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/fritzaha1/readme.html">Fritz AHA</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/fritzbox1/readme.html">Fritz!Box</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/fritzboxtr0641/readme.html">Fritzbox (using TR064 protocol)</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/frontiersiliconradio1/readme.html">Frontier Silicon Radio</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/fs201/readme.html">FS20</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/fsinternetradio/readme.html">FS Internet Radio</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/garadget1/readme.html">Garadget</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/gardena/readme.html">Gardena</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/gc100ir1/readme.html">Global Cache IR</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/globalcache/readme.html">GlobalCache</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/gpio1/readme.html">GPIO</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/harmonyhub/readme.html">Logitech Harmony Hub</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/harmonyhub1/readme.html">Harmony Hub</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/hdanywhere/readme.html">HDanywhere</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/hdanywhere1/readme.html">HDanywhere</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/hdpowerview/readme.html">Hunter Douglas PowerView</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/heatmiser1/readme.html">Heatmiser</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/hms1/readme.html">HMS</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/homematic/readme.html">Homematic</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/homematic1/readme.html">Homematic</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/horizon1/readme.html">Horizon mediabox</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/http1/readme.html">HTTP</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/hue/readme.html">Philips Hue</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/hue1/readme.html">Hue</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/iec6205621meter1/readme.html">IEC 62056-21 Meter</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/ihc1/readme.html">IHC / ELKO</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/insteonhub1/readme.html">Insteon Hub</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/insteonplm1/readme.html">Insteon PLM</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/intertechno1/readme.html">Intertechno</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/ipp/readme.html">IPP</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/ipx8001/readme.html">IPX800</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/irtrans1/readme.html">IRTrans</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/isy1/readme.html">Description</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/jointspace1/readme.html">jointSPACE</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/k80551/readme.html">Velleman k8055 USB IO Board</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/keba/readme.html">Keba</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/km2001/readme.html">KM200</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/knx1/readme.html">KNX</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/kodi/readme.html">Kodi</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/kostalinverter/readme.html">Kostal Inverter</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/koubachi1/readme.html">Koubachi</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/lcn1/readme.html">LCN</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/lgtv1/readme.html">LG TV</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/lgtvserial/readme.html">LG TV control using serial protocol</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/lifx/readme.html">LIFX</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/lightwaverf1/readme.html">LightwaveRF</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/lutron/readme.html">Lutron</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/mailcontrol1/readme.html">MailControl</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/max/readme.html">MAX!</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/maxcube1/readme.html">MAX!Cube</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/maxcul1/readme.html">MAX!CUL</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/mcp230171/readme.html">MCP23017</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/mcp34241/readme.html">MCP3424</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/meteostick/readme.html">Meteostick</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/miele/readme.html">Miele@home</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/mihome/readme.html">Xiaomi Mi Smart Home</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/milight/readme.html">Milight/Easybulb/Limitless</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/milight1/readme.html">Milight</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/minecraft/readme.html">Minecraft</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/mios1/readme.html">MiOS Bridge</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/mochadx101/readme.html">Mochad X10</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/modbus1/readme.html">Modbus</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/mpd1/readme.html">MPD</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/mqtt1/readme.html">MQTT</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/mqttitude1/readme.html">OwnTracks (formerly MQTTitude)</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/myq1/readme.html">Chamberlain MyQ</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/mystromecopower1/readme.html">Mystrom Eco Power</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/neohub1/readme.html">NeoHub</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/nest1/readme.html">Nest</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/netatmo/readme.html">Netatmo</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/netatmo1/readme.html">Netatmo</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/network/readme.html">Network</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/networkhealth1/readme.html">Network Health</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/networkupstools1/readme.html">Network UPS Tools</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/nibeheatpump1/readme.html">Nibe Heatpump</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/nikobus1/readme.html">Nikobus</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/nikohomecontrol/readme.html">Niko Home Control</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/novelanheatpump1/readme.html">Novelan/Luxtronic Heat Pump</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/ntp/readme.html">NTP</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/ntp1/readme.html">Network Time Protocol (NTP)</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/oceanic/readme.html">Oceanic</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/omnilink1/readme.html">HAI/Leviton Omni and Lumina</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/onebusaway/readme.html">OneBusAway</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/onewire1/readme.html">OneWire</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/onkyo/readme.html">Onkyo</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/onkyo1/readme.html">Onkyo AV Receiver</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/openenergymonitor1/readme.html">Open Energy Monitor</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/openpaths1/readme.html">OpenPaths</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/opensprinkler/readme.html">OpenSprinkler</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/opensprinkler1/readme.html">OpenSprinkler</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/orvibo/readme.html">Orvibo</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/owserver1/readme.html">OWServer</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/panasonictv1/readme.html">Panasonic TV</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/panstamp1/readme.html">panStamp</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/piface1/readme.html">Piface</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/pilight1/readme.html">pilight</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/pioneeravr/readme.html">PioneerAVR Configuration</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/pioneeravr1/readme.html">Pioneer AV Receiver (1.x)</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/plcbus1/readme.html">PLCBus</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/plclogo1/readme.html">PLCLogo</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/plex1/readme.html">Plex</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/plugwise1/readme.html">Plugwise</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/powerdoglocalapi1/readme.html">PowerDog Local API</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/powermax1/readme.html">Visonic Powermax</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/primare1/readme.html">Primare</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/pulseaudio/readme.html">Pulseaudio</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/pulseaudio1/readme.html">Pulseaudio</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/rfxcom/readme.html">RFXCOM</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/rfxcom1/readme.html">RFXCOM</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/rme/readme.html">RME</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/rpircswitch1/readme.html">Raspberry Pi RC Switch</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/russound/readme.html">Russound</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/rwesmarthome1/readme.html">RWE SmartHome</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/sagercaster1/readme.html">Sager Weathercaster</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/sallegra1/readme.html">Sallegra</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/samsungac1/readme.html">Samsung Air Conditioner</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/samsungtv/readme.html">Samsung TV</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/samsungtv1/readme.html">Samsung TV</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/sapp1/readme.html">Picnet Sapp</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/satel1/readme.html">Satel Integra Alarm System</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/sensebox/readme.html">senseBox</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/serial1/readme.html">Serial</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/silvercrestwifisocket/readme.html">Silvercrest Wifi Plug</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/sleepiq/readme.html">SleepIQ</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/smaenergymeter/readme.html">SMA Energy Meter</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/smarthomatic1/readme.html">Smarthomatic</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/snmp1/readme.html">SNMP</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/sonance1/readme.html">Sonance</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/sonos/readme.html">Sonos</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/sonos1/readme.html">Sonos</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/souliss1/readme.html">Souliss</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/squeezebox/readme.html">Logitech Squeezebox</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/squeezebox1/readme.html">Squeezebox</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/stiebelheatpump1/readme.html">Stiebel Eltron LWZ</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/swegonventilation1/readme.html">Swegon Ventilation</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/synopanalyzer/readme.html">Synop Analyzer</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/systeminfo/readme.html">Systeminfo</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/systeminfo1/readme.html">System Information</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/tacmi1/readme.html">TACmi</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/tankerkoenig/readme.html">Tankerkönig</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/tcp1/readme.html">TCP & UDP</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/tellstick/readme.html">Tellstick</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/tellstick1/readme.html">Tellstick</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/tesla/readme.html">Tesla</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/tinkerforge1/readme.html">TinkerForge</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/tivo1/readme.html">TiVo</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/toon/readme.html">Toon</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/tradfri/readme.html">Trådfri</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/ucprelayboard1/readme.html">UCProjects.eu Relay Board</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/upb1/readme.html">UPB</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/urtsi/readme.html">Somfy URTSI II</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/urtsi1/readme.html">Somfy URTSI II</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/vdr1/readme.html">Video Disk Recorder (VDR)</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/vitotronic/readme.html">Vitotronic</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/wago1/readme.html">WAGO</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/weather1/readme.html">Weather</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/wemo/readme.html">Belkin Wemo</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/wemo1/readme.html">Wemo</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/wifiled/readme.html">WiFi LED</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/windcentrale/readme.html">Windcentrale</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/withings1/readme.html">Withings</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/wol1/readme.html">Wake-on-LAN</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/wr32231/readme.html">WR3223 ventilation controller</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/xbmc1/readme.html">XBMC binding (for KODI) (1.x)</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/xpl1/readme.html">xPL</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/yahooweather/readme.html">YahooWeather</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/yamahareceiver/readme.html">Yamahareceiver</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/yamahareceiver1/readme.html">Yamaha Receiver (1.x)</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/zibase1/readme.html">Zibase</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/zigbee/readme.html">ZigBee</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/zoneminder/readme.html">Zoneminder</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/zwave/readme.html">ZWave</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/zwave1/readme.html">Z-Wave</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/bindings/zway/readme.html">Z-Way</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/uis.html">User Interfaces</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/uis.html">Overview</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/uis/basic/readme.html">Basic UI</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/uis/classic/readme.html">Classic UI</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/uis/habmin/readme.html">HABmin</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/uis/habpanel/readme.html">HABPanel</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/uis/paper/readme.html">Paper UI</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/uis/apps/android.html">Android openHAB App</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/uis/apps/ios.html">iOS openHAB App</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/uis/apps/windows.html">Windows 10 openHAB App</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/iconsets/classic/readme.html">Iconset (classic)</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/persistence.html">Persistence</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/persistence.html">Overview</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/persistence/caldav/readme.html">CalDAV</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/persistence/cosm/readme.html">Xively (formerly Cosm)</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/persistence/db4o/readme.html">db4o</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/persistence/dynamodb/readme.html">Amazon DynamoDB</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/persistence/exec/readme.html">Exec</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/persistence/influxdb/readme.html">InfluxDB (0.9 and newer)</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/persistence/influxdb08/readme.html">InfluxDB (up to 0.8.x)</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/persistence/jdbc/readme.html">JDBC</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/persistence/jpa/readme.html">Java Persistence API (JPA)</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/persistence/mapdb/readme.html">mapdb</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/persistence/mongodb/readme.html">MongoDB</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/persistence/mqtt/readme.html">MQTT</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/persistence/mysql/readme.html">MySQL</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/persistence/rrd4j/readme.html">rrd4j</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/persistence/sense/readme.html">Sen.Se</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/persistence/sitewhere/readme.html">SiteWhere</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions.html">Actions</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions.html">Overview</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/astro/readme.html">Astro</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/ciscospark/readme.html">Cisco Spark</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/dscalarm/readme.html">DSC Alarm</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/ecobee/readme.html">Ecobee</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/harmonyhub/readme.html">Logitech Harmony Hub</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/homematic/readme.html">Homematic</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/mail/readme.html">Mail</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/mios/readme.html">MiOS</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/mqtt/readme.html">MQTT</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/nma/readme.html">NotifyMyAndroid</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/openwebif/readme.html">OpenWebIf</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/pebble/readme.html">Pebble</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/prowl/readme.html">Prowl</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/pushover/readme.html">Pushover</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/pushsafer/readme.html">Pushsafer</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/satel/readme.html">Satel</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/squeezebox/readme.html">Squeezebox</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/telegram/readme.html">Telegram</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/tinkerforge/readme.html">TinkerForge</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/twitter/readme.html">Twitter</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/weather/readme.html">Weather</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/xbmc/readme.html">XBMC</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/xmpp/readme.html">XMPP</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/actions/xpl/readme.html">xPL</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/transformations.html">Transformations</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/transformations.html">Overview</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/transformations/exec/readme.html">Exec</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/transformations/javascript/readme.html">JavaScript</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/transformations/jsonpath/readme.html">JsonPath</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/transformations/map/readme.html">Map</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/transformations/regex/readme.html">RegEx</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/transformations/scale/readme.html">Scale</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/transformations/xpath/readme.html">XPath</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/transformations/xslt/readme.html">XSLT</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/voice.html">Voice Services</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/voice.html">Overview</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/voice/mactts/readme.html">MacOS Text-to-Speech</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/voice/marytts/readme.html">Mary Text-to-Speech</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/voice/voicerss/readme.html">VoiceRSS Text-to-Speech</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<hr />
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/io.html">3rd Party Integration</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/io.html">Overview</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/io/dropbox/readme.html">Dropbox Synchronization</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/io/gcal/readme.html">Google Calendar Scheduler</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/io/homekit/readme.html">HomeKit Add-on</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/io/hueemulation/readme.html">openHAB Hue Emulation</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/io/imperihome/readme.html">ImperiHome integration service</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/addons/io/openhabcloud/readme.html">openHAB Cloud Connector</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="/v2.1/configuration/restdocs.html">REST API</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.myopenhab.org/" target="_blank">IFTTT</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/administration/index.html">Advanced Functionality</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="/v2.1/administration/index.html">Overview</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="/v2.1/administration/console.html">Console</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/administration/runtime.html">Runtime Commands</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/administration/bundles.html">Bundle Management</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/administration/logging.html">Logging</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="/v2.1/administration/jsondb.html">JsonDB Storage</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/appendix/help.html">Community Guidance</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="/v2.1/appendix/help.html">Finding Help &amp; FAQs</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/appendix/contributing.html">Contributing</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div id="versioning" class="row valign-wrapper">
<div class="col s12 right-align">
<ul id="dropdown-versioning" class="dropdown-content">
<li><a href="/v2.1/../concepts/">latest version</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/../v2.2/concepts/">v2.2</a></li>
<li><a href="/v2.1/concepts/">v2.1<i class="tiny material-icons right">lens</i></a></li>
</ul>
<a class="btn dropdown-button grey lighten-1" href="#!" data-activates="dropdown-versioning" title="Select which version of this openHAB documentation article you want to read.">
Switch Article Version<i class="material-icons right">arrow_drop_down</i>
</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="content">
<h1 id="concepts">Concepts</h1>
<p>Eclipse SmartHome strictly differentiates between the physical view and the functional view on the system.
While the physical view is required for setup, configuration, troubleshooting, etc., the functional side covers the information that matter to applications, such as user interfaces and automation logic.</p>
<h2 id="things-channels-items-and-links">Things, Channels, Items and Links</h2>
<p><strong>Things</strong> are the entities that can be physically added to a system and which can potentially provide many functionalities at once. It is important to note that things do not have to be devices, but they can also represent a web service or any other manageable source of information and functionality.
Things provide their functionality through a set of <strong>Channels</strong>. Channels are “passive” and can be regarded as a declaration of a Thing, what it can offer. It is up to the individual setup, which of the Channels are actively used through Items (see below).</p>
<p><strong>Items</strong> represent (fine-grained) functionality that is used by applications - as user interfaces or automation logic. Items have a state and they can receive commands.</p>
<p>The glue between Things and Items are <strong>Links</strong>. Links are associations between exactly one Thing Channel and one Item.
If a Channel is linked to an Item, it is “enabled”, which means that the functionality that the Item represents is handled through the given Channel.
Channels can be linked to multiple Items and Items can be linked to multiple Channels.</p>
<p>To illustrate these concepts, take a two-channel actuator that controls two lights:</p>
<p><img src="images/thing-devices-1.png" alt="" /></p>
<p>The actuator is the <em>Thing</em>. This might be installed in the electrical cabinet, it has a physical address and needs to be setup and configured in order to be used.
The user is instead interested in the two lights, which are located at different locations in his home. These lights are the desired functionality, thus the <em>Items</em> and they are linked to the <em>Channels</em> of the actuator.
A <em>Link</em> can be regarded like a physical wire in this example.</p>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<footer>
<div class="container">
<div class="row">
<div class="col s12 m7">
Copyright &copy; 2017 by the <a href="https://github.com/openhab">openHAB Community</a> and the <a href="http://www.openhabfoundation.org/">openHAB&nbsp;Foundation&nbsp;e.V.</a>
</div>
<div class="col s12 m5">
<ul class="list-inline right-align">
<li><a href="/imprint.html">Imprint</a></li>
<li><a href="/privacy.html">Privacy Policy</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.openhab.org">openHAB Website</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</footer>
<script src="/v2.1/js/jquery.min.js"></script>
<script src="/v2.1/js/jquery.scrollme.min.js"></script>
<script src="/v2.1/js/jquery.sticky.js"></script>
<script src="/v2.1/js/materialize.min.js"></script>
<script src="/v2.1/js/init.js"></script>
<script>
$(document).ready(function () {
$('#oh2-checkbox').change(function () {
if (this.checked) $('.since-2x').show('slow');
else $('.source-oh2').hide('slow');
});
$('#oh1-checkbox').change(function () {
if (this.checked) $('.since-1x').show('slow');
else $('.source-oh1').hide('slow');
});
$('#legacy-checkbox').change(function () {
if (this.checked) $('.install-legacy').show('slow');
else $('.install-legacy').hide('slow');
});
$('#manual-checkbox').change(function () {
if (this.checked) $('.install-manual').show('slow');
else $('.install-manual').hide('slow');
});
});
</script>
</body>
</html>