Understanding Websockets in the Internet of Things
Websockets are often misunderstood in the context of the Internet of Things (IoT). While some believe websockets have no overhead and function similarly to TCP, they actually have specific messaging frames that introduce some overhead. This article aims to clarify misconceptions surrounding websockets, emphasizing that they are not a replacement for other IoT protocols like MQTT and CoAP but can enhance them through an initial negotiation request that allows for better client-server communication. However, there are concerns about websockets being adapted from web technologies that may not be ideal for IoT applications, as they were originally designed for web browsers and might not cater to the unique needs of IoT systems.
- Websockets have message-related overhead, contrary to the belief they are free of it.
- They are message-oriented, combining features of both TCP and UDP.
- The initial HTTP negotiation request in websockets offers valuable enhancements for IoT communication.
- There are concerns about using websockets for IoT due to their origins in web browser technology.
What is a common misconception about websockets?
Many believe that websockets have no overhead after the initial connection, but they actually have specific per-message overhead due to their message-oriented design.
How do websockets differ from TCP?
Websockets are a layer on top of TCP that provides a framing mechanism for messages, allowing for message-oriented communication rather than stream-oriented like traditional TCP.
Why might websockets not be ideal for IoT applications?
Websockets were designed primarily for web browsers, which raises concerns about their efficiency and suitability for IoT systems that have different requirements and constraints.