# M2M: what it is and how it works · Zorraquino
> M2M, or machine to machine, describes communication between devices to exchange data or execute processes with little direct human intervention.
URL: https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/internet/m2m.html

# M2M

M2M, or machine to machine, describes communication between devices to exchange data or execute processes with little direct human intervention. It may use local connections or networks of different kinds

What it means, how it is used and where it comes up, with its related concepts.

[The whole glossary](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary)

## What it is and how it works

It is not limited to a point-to-point topology. It is related to IoT, although IoT generally encompasses a broader ecosystem of devices, services and applications. The design needs to define what information is shared, how access is controlled and what happens when a device or connection fails.

Also known as

machine to machine

Topics

[Technology and data](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/category/tecnologia-y-datos)

## Related concepts

- [IoT](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/internet/iot.html)
- [Ambient intelligence](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/internet/environmental-intelligence.html)
- [Pervasive computing](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/internet/pervasive-computing.html)