> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://kb.motion.cloud/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://kb.motion.cloud/motion-platform-software/devices/what-are-devices.md).

# What are "Devices"?

Because Motion is designed to be compatible with multiple protocols (the list of supported protocols will continue to grow with time), we needed a generic term to represent, generally, all of the controllers, controls, sensors, data gatherers, thermostats, lights, HVAC units, widgets, etc. that we might be controlling and/or monitoring. To represent the entire spectrum of possible *things* with which a Motion Hub might communicate, we use the word **device** to represent any single one of those *things*.

To be specific, **devices** are the physical items that have readable and/or writable data/control points. For example, a BACnet thermostat can be a device because it has points that we can use BACnet to manage and monitor a temperature zone, like set point, current temperature, fan status, etc. But more complicated items like entire BASes (building automation systems using BACnet—think Tridium, Siemens, Trane, etc.\*) may be considered **devices** in Motion Platform as well since they, too, can have sets of readable and writable points (even if those points are representative of points belonging to *other* equipment).

Here are some examples of items in a building that become **devices** in Motion Platform:

* Thermostats
* Boiler controllers
* Refrigeration controllers
* Relay-controlled lighting
* Rooftop HVAC units
* Variable air volume components (VAVs)
* Existing building automation systems (BASes) with BACnet modules enabled

 

*\* Motion is not affiliated with any of the brands mentioned on this page. Those brands simply represent some of the brand-name systems with Motion is frequently integrated.*


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