MQTT: What is it, who is using it, and how do I get started?

MQTT is an open source publish-subscribe communications protocol. It is lightweight and flexible, was designed for use by resource-constrained edge devices, and has become the most popular IoT-specific communications protocol. Together with the Sparkplug B specification, MQTT can form the backbone of industrial IoT infrastructure. For example, netDNA uses MQTT to provide automation and data communication for trailer-based pumping units in the oil and gas industry.

This collection of resources can help answer your questions about MQTT.
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• What is MQTT?
• What is Sparkplug B?
• How secure is MQTT?
• What's the difference between MQTT and OPC UA?
• How do I get started with MQTT on Opto 22 products?
• Developer Resources

What is MQTT?

What is Sparkplug B?

Intro to MQTT with SparkplugOpto 22 video

Webinar: Introduction to MQTT Sparkplug Opto 22 and HiveMQ Webinar 

Request-response vs. pub-sub: Which to use?Opto 22 blog post

Benefits of MQTT
Legacy Way vs. Smart WayCirrus Link video

How to Create a Secure, Redundant, Highly Available MQTT NetworkCirrus Link Webinar

Integrate Automation Data with Industrial Messaging Protocols
Manufacturing Business Technology article

MQTT Sparkplug Specification Inductive Automation video

MQTT Sparkplug TahuCirrus Link article

Who's using MQTT and Sparkplug B?

How secure is MQTT?

MQTT Security Best PracticesCirrus Link article

Device-originating Communications, or How and Why MQTT RocksOpto 22 blog post

What's the difference between MQTT and OPC UA?

OPC and MQTT in the IIoTOpto 22 blog post

Efficient IIoT Communications: a Comparison of MQTT, OPC UA, HTTP, and ModbusCirrus Link presentation

IIoT Protocols: Comparing OPC UA to MQTTCirrus Link article

How do I get started with MQTT on Opto 22 products?

MQTT in groov ProductsOpto 22 User's Guide (pdf)

Get Started with MQTTOpto 22 Video Tutorial

Decode Sparkplug-encoded MQTT Messages with Node-REDOptoForum post

Publish Allen-Bradley PLC Tags using MQTTOpto 22 video

Publishing I/O Data Directly to IgnitionOpto 22 webinar

Using the MQTT Transmission Module to Publish Data Directly to IgnitionInductive Automation video

Guide to Networking groov Products
Opto 22 User's Guide (pdf)

Opto 22 User's Guides
groov EPIC User's Guide (pdf)
groov RIO User's Guide (pdf)

MQTT RecipesNode-RED website

Developer Resources

Eclipse PahoOpen source, mainly client side, implementations of MQTT and MQTT-SN in a variety of programming languages.

Eclipse TahuSparkplug specification: MQTT Topic and Payload Definition

Eclipse Sparkplug Working GroupInteroperability for MQTT-based Industrial IoT solutions