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I'm confused by the usage of the idiom "on its behalf" in this sentence:
One of the key parts of the telecommunication is the action that one device is asking another device to take on its behalf.
I think the meaning of that idiom is "instead of", but it seems pretty awkward to me there. Might there be other meanings which are more suitable there?
On its behalf = for it.
Device A asks|tells device B to do something. B does it on A's behalf. B does it for A.
Would you go to the town council for me and tell them they're a bunch of idiots?
Kiril: Dmitry, why are you here before the town council today?
Dmitry: I am here on behalf of Tim, who asked me to say you were a bunch of idiots.
