Are Cirrus Link MQTT Engine/Distributor For Ignition Edge included in Edge Panel or a separate purchase?
Would we need either of these for Ignition Edge Panel to act as an MQTT broker for direct connection to read/write to a PLC that communicates via MQTT like a Beckhoff CX7000 with included TF6701 TwinCAT 3 IoT Communication MQTT?
In other words, would Ignition Edge Panel already be able to connect to a PLC like this via MQTT out of the box for a simple small machine HMI, or would we need an additional module (which one(s)?) added to Edge Panel to accomplish this?
IIRC, the base license for both Edge IIoT and Edge Panel include MQTT Transmission, not Engine or Distributor. For the past year or so? I doubt that 8.1.20 would have this in the base. Test with a newer Edge.
Also, if it has an OPC server or other communication options, they may be better than using MQTT for local comms. MQTT is best suited for low bandwidth remote comms. Also check if it's using Sparkplug or vanilla MQTT with JSON payloads. That can make a big difference also.
I agree with @pturmel that I believe Edge only supports Transmission. For the situation you're describing you'd need Engine and any broker (lots of free options if you don't want to pay for Distributor module).
Thanks, I usually use TwinCAT OPC UA, but this budget PLC with flexible integrated I/O doesn't support it last I checked. Modbus TCP was in QA testing, and might be an option now. If it doesn't require an additional module--sounds like it will--or module is low cost--uncertain (is this the same cost on Edge as for full Ignition?)--, I figured MQTT might be appropriate for a basic settings/troubleshooting/datalogging interface to a simple machine with very low I/O count.
I'll have to confirm regarding Sparkplug and other available options with Beckhoff support and check with IA sales on Edge costs.
