Network Protocols

MQTT

MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) is a lightweight, publish-subscribe network protocol designed for constrained devices and low-bandwidth, high-latency, or unreliable networks. It is widely used in Internet of Things (IoT) applications for efficient machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, enabling devices to send and receive messages with minimal overhead. The protocol operates on top of TCP/IP and supports quality of service (QoS) levels to ensure reliable message delivery.

Also known as: MQ Telemetry Transport, Message Queuing Telemetry Transport, MQTT-SN, MQTT for Sensor Networks, MQTT 3.1.1

🧊Why learn MQTT?

Developers should learn MQTT when building IoT systems, such as smart home devices, industrial automation, or remote monitoring, where resource-constrained sensors and actuators need to communicate efficiently over networks with limited bandwidth. It is ideal for scenarios requiring real-time data exchange, scalability, and low power consumption, as its lightweight design reduces network traffic and processing demands compared to alternatives like HTTP.

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MQTT vs Http Rest→MQTT vs Amqp→MQTT vs Coap→

Learning Resources

MQTT.org Official Documentation

HiveMQ MQTT Essentials

MQTT Crash Course on YouTube

MQTT in Action by Tim Kellogg

Related Tools

Iot Communication Publish Subscribe Pattern Tcp Ip Mosquitto Node Red

Alternatives to MQTT

Http Rest Amqp Coap

Other Network Protocols

Acme Protocol is a standardized communication protocol used for automated certificate management, primarily for obtaining and renewing SSL/TLS certificates from certificate authorities (CAs). It enables servers and applications to automatically request, validate, and install certificates without manual intervention, streamlining the process of securing web services with HTTPS. The protocol is widely implemented by CAs and tools like Let's Encrypt to support the ACME (Automated Certificate Management Environment) standard.

ActivityPub is an open, decentralized social networking protocol that enables servers to communicate and share social activities, such as posts, likes, and follows, across different platforms. It is a W3C standard that defines a client-to-server API for creating, updating, and deleting content, as well as a server-to-server API for federated interactions between independent servers. This allows users on different social media platforms to interact seamlessly, fostering interoperability in the fediverse.

ActivityPub is a decentralized social networking protocol that enables different social platforms to communicate with each other, allowing users to interact across independent servers. It provides a standardized way for servers to exchange social activities like posts, likes, and follows, forming a federated network where no single entity controls the entire system. This protocol underpins many modern federated social networks, promoting interoperability and user autonomy.

AMQP (Advanced Message Queuing Protocol) is an open standard application layer protocol for message-oriented middleware, enabling reliable, secure, and interoperable messaging between applications. It defines a wire-level protocol for message queuing, routing, and delivery, supporting features like publish/subscribe, request/reply, and point-to-point communication. AMQP is widely used in distributed systems, microservices architectures, and enterprise messaging to decouple components and handle asynchronous communication.

BACnet (Building Automation and Control Networks) is a communication protocol designed specifically for building automation and control systems, such as HVAC, lighting, and security. It enables interoperability between devices from different manufacturers by defining standard data objects, services, and network rules. Developed by ASHRAE, it is widely used in commercial and industrial buildings for efficient management and monitoring.

BACnet (Building Automation and Control Networks) is a communication protocol designed specifically for building automation and control systems, such as HVAC, lighting, and security. It enables interoperability between devices from different manufacturers by standardizing data exchange over various network types, including Ethernet, IP, and serial links. The protocol defines objects, services, and data structures to facilitate monitoring and control of building systems.