In the Internet of Things (IoT), communication between devices relies on a variety of networking protocols, each designed for specific use cases, energy efficiency, and data requirements. Some of the most popular IoT protocols include MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport), CoAP (Constrained Application Protocol), HTTP/HTTPS, Zigbee, LoRaWAN, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and Z-Wave.

MQTT is a lightweight publish-subscribe protocol ideal for devices with limited bandwidth and power. It’s widely used in home automation, industrial monitoring, and smart agriculture. CoAP is designed for simple devices and supports request/response interaction similar to HTTP but optimized for constrained networks. HTTP/HTTPS is common in web-based IoT systems where interoperability with existing web infrastructure is needed.

Zigbee and Z-Wave are used for mesh networking in smart homes and automation systems, enabling multiple devices to communicate seamlessly over short distances. LoRaWAN is preferred for long-range communication with low power consumption, especially in rural and industrial applications. BLE offers short-range communication with low energy use, popular in fitness trackers and health monitors.

To understand these protocols in practical scenarios, you may explore an Internet of Things Course for in-depth hands-on knowledge.