Network controllers and an MMI are often referred to as what?

In the context of instrumentation and control systems, network controllers and a Human-Machine Interface (MMI) are typically referred to as "drops and nodes." Drops refer to individual connections or segments of a network where devices can connect to the main system, such as sensors or control devices, while nodes are the points in the network that can send, receive, and process data. This terminology emphasizes the structure of the network, where drops represent the physical points of interaction within a system, and nodes signify the active components that facilitate communication and control across the entire architecture. Understanding this distinction is crucial for clarity in the design and maintenance of process control systems.