documentation: Document MQTT-C with Mbed TLS usage.

Add Kconfig guidance, mqttc_pub TLS options and default port, the
mqttc_mbedtls_pub example, and cross-links between the mqttc example and mbedtls overview pages

Signed-off-by: Arjav Patel <arjav1528@gmail.com>
This commit is contained in:
Arjav Patel
2026-04-14 05:47:48 +05:30
committed by Xiang Xiao
parent b28d60947a
commit ea161e4fa9
3 changed files with 145 additions and 1 deletions
@@ -1,3 +1,11 @@
=========================================
``mbedtls`` Mbed TLS Cryptography Library
=========================================
NuttX can build the Mbed TLS cryptography library from ``nuttx-apps`` (under
``apps/crypto/mbedtls``). Enable ``CONFIG_CRYPTO_MBEDTLS`` in ``menuconfig`` and
select application options as needed.
Mbed TLS is commonly used for TLS clients and servers on NuttX. For MQTT over TLS
with the MQTT-C integration, enable ``CONFIG_CRYPTO_MBEDTLS`` and
``CONFIG_NETUTILS_MQTTC_WITH_MBEDTLS``; see :doc:`../../netutils/mqttc/index`.
@@ -2,12 +2,15 @@
``mqttc`` MQTT-C Example
========================
This is a simple MQTT publisher example using MQTT-C
This is a simple MQTT publisher example using MQTT-C.
By default it publishes to the "test" topic and exits. Default behaviour
including, host, port, topic, message and loop count can be changed through
different arguments.
Plain TCP (no Mbed TLS)
=======================
To test:
From the host start an MQTT broker and subscribe to the "test" topic. Here
mosquitto is used::
@@ -24,3 +27,14 @@ Launch the built-in app ``mqttc_pub`` specifying the host::
mqttc_pub -h HOST
The target will publish the message "test".
TLS with Mbed TLS
=================
To use TLS, enable Mbed TLS and MQTT-C with Mbed TLS in ``menuconfig`` (see
:doc:`../../netutils/mqttc/index`). The same ``mqttc_pub`` binary is built with
TLS support; the default port becomes **8883**. You can pass ``-c`` with a path
to your broker CA certificate in PEM format.
For full configuration symbols, CLI options, and the separate
``mqttc_mbedtls_pub`` example, see :doc:`../../netutils/mqttc/index`.
@@ -1,3 +1,125 @@
========================
``mqttc`` MQTT-C library
========================
Overview
========
The `MQTT-C <https://github.com/LiamBindle/MQTT-C>`_ client library is integrated
into NuttX through ``nuttx-apps`` (``apps/netutils/mqttc``). It provides an MQTT
v3.1.1 client with a small platform abstraction layer.
You can use MQTT-C over plain TCP or, when enabled, over TLS using Mbed TLS. The
TLS path defines ``MQTT_USE_MBEDTLS`` for code that includes the library and the
``examples/mqttc`` publisher application.
Prerequisites
=============
- A NuttX tree and a matching ``nuttx-apps`` checkout (see the top-level
``README`` in each repository).
- A working network stack and route to your MQTT broker (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or
other), unless you only run loopback tests on the host.
- For TLS with certificate verification, ensure the device has a valid clock
(RTC or NTP) before connecting; otherwise verification of ``notBefore`` /
``notAfter`` may fail.
Configuration
=============
Enable the MQTT-C package and optional pieces from ``menuconfig``:
**Library and TLS**
- ``CONFIG_NETUTILS_MQTTC``: Build the MQTT-C static library.
- ``CONFIG_CRYPTO_MBEDTLS``: Build Mbed TLS (required for the TLS integration).
- ``CONFIG_NETUTILS_MQTTC_WITH_MBEDTLS``: Compile MQTT-C and dependent apps with
``MQTT_USE_MBEDTLS``. This option depends on ``CRYPTO_MBEDTLS`` and selects
``DEV_URANDOM`` for entropy.
- ``CONFIG_NETUTILS_MQTTC_VERSION``: Upstream MQTT-C version string (default is
``1.1.5``).
**Example: ``mqttc_pub`` (``apps/examples/mqttc``)**
- ``CONFIG_EXAMPLES_MQTTC``: Build the NSH publisher example. Program name is
``CONFIG_EXAMPLES_MQTTC_PROGNAME`` (default ``mqttc_pub``). Requires
``NETUTILS_MQTTC``.
- ``CONFIG_EXAMPLES_MQTTC_ALLOW_UNVERIFIED_TLS``: If TLS verification fails,
continue anyway. Intended for development with self-signed brokers; do not
rely on this for production.
**Bundled upstream examples (``apps/netutils/mqttc``)**
- ``CONFIG_NETUTILS_MQTTC_EXAMPLE``: Build extra sample programs from the
MQTT-C tree. With Mbed TLS enabled this produces ``mqttc_mbedtls_pub``;
otherwise ``mqttc_posix_pub`` and ``mqttc_posix_sub``.
- ``CONFIG_NETUTILS_MQTTC_TEST``: CMocka-based tests. This option is not
available when ``CONFIG_NETUTILS_MQTTC_WITH_MBEDTLS`` is enabled.
A minimal ``kconfig`` fragment for TLS-enabled ``mqttc_pub`` might look like:
.. code-block:: kconfig
CONFIG_CRYPTO_MBEDTLS=y
CONFIG_NETUTILS_MQTTC=y
CONFIG_NETUTILS_MQTTC_WITH_MBEDTLS=y
CONFIG_EXAMPLES_MQTTC=y
Using ``mqttc_pub`` with Mbed TLS
=================================
When ``CONFIG_NETUTILS_MQTTC_WITH_MBEDTLS`` is set, ``mqttc_pub`` uses Mbed TLS
for the broker connection. The default broker port is **8883** (TLS). Typical
arguments:
.. code-block:: text
mqttc_pub -h BROKER [-p PORT] [-c CAFILE] [-t TOPIC] [-m MESSAGE] [-n COUNT] [-q QOS]
- ``-h``: Broker hostname or address (required for non-default use).
- ``-p``: Port (default ``8883`` in TLS mode).
- ``-c``: Path to a PEM file containing the broker CA certificate (or chain).
If omitted, the example uses an embedded test CA (PolarSSL/Mbed TLS test
material), which is only appropriate for matching test servers—not for
arbitrary production brokers.
- ``-t``, ``-m``, ``-n``, ``-q``: Topic, payload, publish repeat count, and QoS.
Example (NSH, after the network is up):
.. code-block:: text
nsh> mqttc_pub -h mqtt.example.com -p 8883 -c /etc/ssl/certs/broker-ca.pem
If verification fails and you must use a self-signed broker during bring-up,
enable ``CONFIG_EXAMPLES_MQTTC_ALLOW_UNVERIFIED_TLS`` or fix the CA/time on the
device.
Using ``mqttc_mbedtls_pub``
===========================
When ``CONFIG_NETUTILS_MQTTC_EXAMPLE`` and
``CONFIG_NETUTILS_MQTTC_WITH_MBEDTLS`` are set, the ``mqttc_mbedtls_pub``
program is built from the upstream ``examples/mbedtls_publisher.c``. It expects
positional arguments:
.. code-block:: text
mqttc_mbedtls_pub CAFILE [ADDRESS [PORT [TOPIC]]]
Defaults are similar to the upstream sample (e.g. public test broker and port
``8883`` if not overridden). Use a CA file that matches your broker.
Build systems (Make and CMake)
==============================
Make-based and CMake-based NuttX builds both support these options. For CMake,
ensure Mbed TLS and MQTT-C targets resolve includes and dependencies; recent
``nuttx-apps`` changes wire ``mqttc`` to ``mbedtls`` when both TLS options are
enabled.
See also
========
- :doc:`../../examples/mqttc/index` — Quick test steps for ``mqttc_pub``.
- :doc:`../../crypto/mbedtls/index` — Mbed TLS package overview.
- :doc:`../paho_mqtt/index` — Eclipse Paho MQTT C client (alternative stack).