New to MQTT? Start here.
If you’re new to MQTT, one of the biggest challenges isn’t understanding what the protocol is, it’s visualizing how everything works together.
Questions like these are common:
- Where does the MQTT broker fit?
- What do MQTT clients actually do?
- How does data get from an edge device into Ignition?
- What is Sparkplug, and why does everyone talk about self-discovery?
Reading documentation is helpful, but sometimes it’s easier to see the pieces working together.
That’s why we recommend this interactive demo from Inductive Automation.
Watch an MQTT architecture come to life
Built around an agricultural monitoring example, the demo walks through the complete MQTT workflow: from edge devices collecting sensor data to live visualization inside Ignition.
While agriculture provides the backdrop, the concepts apply to virtually any industrial application.
As you work through the demo, you’ll see how:
- Edge devices collect data from field equipment and sensors.
- MQTT Transmission publishes that data using Sparkplug.
- MQTT Distributor securely manages communications between devices and applications.
- MQTT Engine automatically discovers devices and creates tags inside Ignition.
- Data becomes immediately available for dashboards, visualization, and other applications.
Rather than simply explaining MQTT architecture, the demo lets you watch each step happen in sequence.
A great introduction to Sparkplug
One of the most valuable parts of the walkthrough is seeing Sparkplug’s automatic discovery in action.
Instead of manually creating tags and configuring every device, Sparkplug allows devices to announce themselves as they come online. Ignition automatically discovers the new devices, builds the tag structure, and makes the data available with minimal configuration.
If you’ve heard people describe Sparkplug as “plug-and-play for industrial MQTT,” this demo helps illustrate why.
Learn how the modules work together
The walkthrough also provides a simple introduction to the three core MQTT modules for Ignition:
- Transmission publishes data from edge gateways.
- Distributor acts as the MQTT broker, securely routing messages.
- Engine subscribes to Sparkplug data and automatically creates tags inside Ignition.
Seeing these modules interact makes it much easier to understand the overall architecture than looking at diagrams alone.
A helpful resource for anyone getting started
Whether you’re evaluating MQTT, learning Sparkplug, or introducing a colleague to the technology, this interactive demo provides an approachable introduction to modern industrial data architectures.
It’s a quick way to see how data moves from devices, through MQTT, and into Ignition,without needing to build a complete system yourself.
Ready to explore?
Launch the interactive demo here.