When regarding LoRa sensors they work in exactly the same way as Z-wave dittos.
Actuators in different in LoRa. LoRa actuators all expect data in a device-specific format. It is not standardized in the same way as in Z-wave.
When controlling a LoRa device you send a payload to a specific port. In IoT Open this is done by publishing on topic_write on the payload-function that every LoRa-device have.
In the in the IoT Open payload the LoRa payload should be in msg
and the port in value
.
There is much to read on this topic. In LoRa wan messages from sensors to the server is called uplink and messages from the server to a LoRa device is called downlink.
If you search for LoRa downlink you will probably find a lot to read.
Generally speaking I think LoRa is best suited for uplink traffic even though downlink also works if you don't expect too fast response times.