About Terminology - Magtek mDynamo Programmer's Manual

1 - Introduction
1.3

About Terminology

The general terms "device" and "host" are used in different, often incompatible ways in a multitude of
specifications and contexts. For example, "host" may have different a meaning in the context of USB
communication than in the context of networked financial transaction processing. In this document,
"device" and "host" are used strictly as follows:
•
Device refers to the Secure Card Reader Authenticator (SCRA) that receives and responds to the
command set specified in this document. Devices include Dynamag, eDynamo, and so on.
•
Host refers to the piece of general-purpose electronic equipment the device is connected or paired to,
which can send data to and receive data from the device. Host types include PC and Mac
computers/laptops, tablets, smartphones, teletype terminals, and even test harnesses. In many cases
the host may have custom software installed on it that communicates with the device. When "host"
must be used differently, it is qualified as something specific, such as "acquirer host" or "USB host."
Similarly, the word "user" is used in different ways in different contexts. This document separates users
into more descriptive categories:
•
The cardholder
•
The operator (such as a cashier, bank teller, customer service representative, or server), and
•
The developer or the administrator (such as an integrator configuring the device for the first time).
Because some connection types, payment brands, and other vocabulary name spaces (notably Bluetooth
LE, EMV, smart phones, and more recent versions of Windows) use very specific meanings for the term
"Application," this document favors the term software to refer to software on the host that provides a user
interface for the operator.
The combination of device(s), host(s), software, firmware, configuration settings, physical mounting and
environment, user experience, and documentation is referred to as the solution.
mDynamo| OEM Secure Card Reader Authenticator | Programmer's Manual (COMMANDS)
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