MQTT, or Message Queuing Telemetry Transport, is a standard messaging protocol meant particularly for use in Internet of Things applications. It has become common with the IoTs as it offers a publish and subscribe model that makes it easy to establish connectivity between different sensors/ devices no matter their geographical location.

The MQTT protocol ensures messages are delivered regardless of whether networks are unresponsive or unreliable. It utilizes an acknowledgment system that allows the server and the client to know if data was delivered or received correctly. Discussed below are four benefits of using MQTT for IoT applications.

1.   MQTT is a lightweight, flexible protocol

MQTT is seen as a lightweight protocol meant to offer reliable data packet transmissions due to the small code footprint all its messages have. It's a popular IoT device mechanism, particularly the ones with low processing power and memory. This protocol is perfect for many Internet of Things devices since they lack potent processors and memory.

Additionally, integrating this protocol with software vendors is easy. MQTT also develops an uninterrupted connection with the defined endpoint server, helping ensure messages get to their destination. Although MQTT payloads are restricted, publishing messages with Python MQTT can give you more payload support. However, you must define the payload plus the alternative quality of service before publishing.

2.   Guarantees message delivery

While some IoT devices are battery-powered, others are moveable, making Internet of Things connections more unsteady for particular purposes and in specific environments. Although this isn't a big deal at times, reliability becomes critical when it comes to industries such as industrial IoT. In truth, any data duplication or loss can have significant consequences and ultimately lead to an IoT stack failing. MQTT adds more message delivery reliability by incorporating three distinct qualities of service, including:

• At most once: It's the lowest overhead option for sending a message. All the client does is publish the message, and there's no acknowledgment
• At least once: This method ensures messages are successfully transferred to the broker
• Exactly once: It's the highest service level where there's a four-message sequence between the receiver and the sender, a form of a handshake to verify that the primary message has been sent and the acceptance has been received

3.   Battery friendly

MQTT was developed to be utilized in harsh conditions, specifically in the desert, where there was no access to the electricity grid. As such, the protocol needed the lowest energy consumption possible, leading to an exceptionally battery-friendly protocol. Today, many IoT devices are connected via wireless networks and li-ion battery-powered.

While HTTP and MQTT are broadly used as the primary IoT communication protocols, MQTT uses less power than HTTP. This has resulted in MQTT being seen as a superior Internet of Things protocol for developers seeking to create devices that can stay battery-connected for many years.

4.   Ensures secure bi-directional messaging

MQTT depends on the publish and subscribe model to promote bi-directional communication between the cloud and IoT devices. With the publish-subscribe model, subscribers and publishers don't have to be online simultaneously or develop a direct connection. Rather, the message server routes and distributes all messages.

Since security is the basis for all IoT applications, MQTT ensures secure bi-directional messaging through SSL/ TLS. Also, the username, password, and client ID provided in this protocol enable users to implement authorization and verification at the application layer.

Endnote

MQTT is one of the most popular protocols for Internet of Things applications. Familiarize yourself with the benefits of using MQTT for IoT applications.