MQTT
MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) is a lightweight messaging protocol designed for connecting IoT and remote devices, especially over networks that are constrained, low-bandwidth or unreliable. It uses a publish/subscribe model: devices publish messages to named topics on a central broker, and other systems subscribe to the topics they care about — decoupling the senders and receivers.
MQTT became the de-facto standard for IoT messaging because it is efficient (small overhead), reliable (with quality-of-service levels), and well-suited to many devices sending small, frequent updates. A sensor on a container or ship, for example, publishes its readings to a broker, and the monitoring platform subscribes to receive them in near real time. Its low bandwidth footprint makes it ideal for cellular, satellite and other limited connections common in logistics and shipping. MQTT typically carries data from devices via gateways up to cloud or edge platforms. It is a foundational connectivity protocol of the Internet of Things and of real-time device data in connected logistics, complementing request/response protocols like REST. Understanding MQTT is useful for anyone building IoT-based tracking and monitoring.
IoT means many devices sending small, frequent updates over often-flaky, low-bandwidth links — MQTT is purpose-built for exactly that, which is why it became the de-facto standard for IoT messaging. Its efficiency suits the cellular and satellite connections common in logistics and shipping, making it the backbone protocol for real-time device data in connected cargo and vessel monitoring.
How does MQTT work?
Devices publish messages to topics on a central broker, and interested systems subscribe to those topics — a lightweight publish/subscribe model.
Why is MQTT used for IoT?
It has very low overhead and reliability options, suiting many devices sending small, frequent updates over constrained or unreliable networks.