The Jedi beacon was a way to contact all Jedi throughout the galaxy. The Jedi Council could program a mass signal broadcast, or a single message to one ship. It was housed in the central security station in the Jedi Temple. In addition to the Temple's computer, each ship carried a small computer capable of sending out messages to other Jedi in the field. Though intended to summon Jedi back to the Temple, it could also be used to ward them away if necessary.