MQTT, a protocol gaining increasing attention in the age of the Internet of Things, is especially popular for sending data from physical devices to cloud-based systems. This more than 20-year-old protocol is effective in supporting the recent growth in IoT applications. This article delves deeper into the technical aspects and application possibilities of MQTT

Technical Features of MQTT

A lightweight and simple protocol, MQTT is designed to make optimal use of available bandwidth, which is essential in a network with limited capacity. It supports different levels of Quality of Service (QoS), which guarantees the reliability of message transmission. QoS levels range from 0 (no message acknowledgment) to 2(full handshaking), giving users the choice between speed and reliability. MQTT uses the publish/subscribe model, which means that, unlike the client/server model, communication is decentralized and reduces the load on networks.

MQTT Broker: The Heart of MQTT Networks

The broker plays a crucial role in MQTT networks. It acts as an intermediary between publishers(who send data) and subscribers(who receive data). The broker manages sessions, authentication, and authorization of clients, ensuring that messages are efficiently forwarded to the correct recipients. Modern MQTT brokers also support advanced features such as message retention. last will messages, and encrypted communications, making them suitable for both simple and complex IoT deployment.

Topics and Payload: The Core of MQTT Messages

MQTT organizes messages into Topics, which have a hierarchical structure and function as addresses where messages are published and received. This system provides flexibility in defining the message flow within the network. The payload, or content of the message, is not limited to a specific format. While JSON is widely used for its user-friendly readability and easy parsing, MQTT supports any binary or textual content, making it adaptable to a wide range of applications.

Applications in Practice 

MQTT is widely used in scenarios where reliable and efficient transmission of telemetry data is needed, such as in smart cities, industrial automation, and home automation. MQTT's ability to function under high-latency or limited bandwidth network conditions makes it particularly suitable for remote sensor networks and battery-powered devices.

In today's IoT ecosystems, MQTT is not only a data transfer protocol, but also a key component in realizing advanced integrations and automation that are at the core of smart technology solutions.

Eniris plays an important role in the world of IoT by offering its own MQTT broker. Designed to meet the growing needs of modern IoT networks, this broker stands out for its advanced features and reliability. The Eniris MQTT broker offers a robust solution for both managing large amounts of data traffic and ensuring secure and efficient communication between IoT devices and systems. By using this broker, customers can enjoy a seamless and scalable experience significantly reducing the complexity of IoT network management.

More information: https://wiki.eniris.be/wiki/publicinformation/view/Standards/STANDARD%3A%20MQTT/