Cirrus Link MQTT Modules

Cirrus Link MQTT Modules extend Inductive Automation's Ignition platform with native MQTT and Sparkplug capabilities. Developed by co-inventors of the MQTT and Sparkplug protocols, these modules enable event-driven data architectures that replace traditional polling-based SCADA systems.

The module suite includes four core components. MQTT Engine subscribes to Sparkplug-enabled data from edge gateways and automatically creates Ignition tags without manual configuration. MQTT Transmission publishes Ignition tag data to MQTT brokers with store-and-forward reliability for intermittent connectivity. MQTT Distributor embeds a lightweight MQTT broker directly within Ignition, supporting up to 250 concurrent clients. MQTT Recorder captures structured records from edge devices into SQL databases with SHA-256 hashing for audit compliance.

Additional modules address specific integration needs. Device drivers connect Ignition to proprietary oil and gas field equipment including Emerson ROC and ABB Totalflow. Cloud injectors stream JSON-formatted OT data to AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud with built-in buffering.

The modules support Unified Namespace architectures and enable edge-to-cloud data movement without custom scripting. TLS encryption and certificate-based authentication secure all communications. Deployment options include full Ignition Gateway and Ignition Edge for resource-constrained environments.

Limitations

• Requires Inductive Automation Ignition platform as the host system
• Commercial licensing through Inductive Automation's third-party module marketplace
• MQTT Distributor limited to 50 clients in standard tier, 250 in Plus tier
• Store-and-forward buffering capacity constrained by local gateway storage
• Sparkplug B support requires compatible edge devices or gateways
• Cloud injector modules require separate configuration for each target platform
• File transfer over MQTT requires both Engine and Transmission modules
• OPC UA bridging in Transmission module adds protocol translation overhead