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KEB America announces the addition of MQTT protocol to its C6 VPN Industrial Router. Historically, KEB’s VPN router has been used to provide secure remote access with data logging capabilities. Now, the router can also be used as an IIoT gateway.

MQTT is a pub/sub messaging protocol that works on top of the TCP/IP protocol. For Quality of Service (QoS) MQTT recognizes three levels: QoS 0, QoS 1, and QoS 2. It can guarantee the delivery of a message and possibly resend the message in high latency networks. The protocol is meant to be used in small devices or automation systems with widely distributed components where a small code footprint is required and the network capabilities are limited.

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By using MQTT, KEB America says a developer is choosing a protocol that will be simple to install and maintain, while also reportedly being easy for new personnel to learn.

As CPUs get smaller and faster, the lightweight properties of MQTT become a greater advantage. With limited overhead and minimized data packets, the CPU’s resources can be used on other functions rather than devoting it to communication.

Another benefit is the availability of cloud-based platforms developers can use to build out their MQTT applications. Logged data can be pushed to services such as Amazon’s AWS or Microsoft Azure with the MQTT protocol. From there, machine builders and systems integrators can perform analytics, create dashboards, and measure critical key performance indicators (KPIs).

In terms of security, KEB’s MQTT client allows the C6 router to use TLS, SSL, authentication, and authorization security features when communicating with the broker.