Comparision between MMS and XMPP protocols

Integration

MMS is made just right for power systems and machines at work. It connects smoothly with devices that follow IEC 61850 rules. It helps things work together in power places like grids and substations, making sure they can talk to each other the same way.

XMPP is super flexible and can fit in with lots of different ways to chat. It can work with all sorts of systems and businesses, not just factories. It's great because it can be changed and used for many different situations.

Security

Relies on security protocols for secure substation communication

Uses encryption mechanisms, potential adaptation for DER security

Scalability

Designed for scalability in industrial automation

Generally scalable

Networks

MMS-based SCSM has proven efficient for LAN-based substation communication networks with fixed topologies, it falls short in addressing the complexities of smart grid scenarios

In expansive smart grid networks like WANs or public setups, cybersecurity and confidentiality are crucial. Handling numerous changing devices, including intermittent power sources, demands adaptable technology for scalable and variable smart grid and microgrid communications. The XMPP protocol can be a suitable solution for these challenges.

Mapping ACSI services and the serialization of MMS messages

ASN.1 BER uses a binary encoding

ASN.1 XER uses a XML encoding rule

Message Format

Typically structured data adhering to IEC-defined models. MMS is based on a different set of standards, specifically ISO/IEC 9506-1 for Services and ISO/IEC 9506-2 for Protocol.

Uses Extensible Markup Language (XML) for versatile messaging

Messaging Patterns

Primarily supports request-response patterns for control data

Supports various patterns including presence, chat, and more

Real-Time Messaging

Designed primarily for deterministic control applications

Offers versatile real-time messaging beyond control needs

Real-Time Capabilities

Provides real-time communication capabilities crucial for industrial automation.

Can offer real-time features with certain configurations.

Adaptability

Designed specifically for industrial use cases, less flexible in non-industrial settings.

Highly adaptable and extensible for various applications beyond industrial use.

End-to-End Encryption

Typically relies on Transport Layer Security (TLS) for encryption

Offers robust end-to-end encryption mechanisms

Interoperability

Interoperable within substation automation frameworks

May need configurations for compatibility with substation systems

Latency

Optimized for deterministic performance within substations

Real-time messaging with potential variations in latency

Authentication

Utilizes authentication mechanisms such as certificates for device verification

Employs various authentication methods including SASL for login authentication

Authorization

Follows role-based access control mechanisms for defining user permissions

Offers diverse authorization methods based on XMPP extensions and server configurations

Protocol

Designed for LAN, especially within substations

Adaptable for LAN environments

May require adaptations for WAN, especially in public networks

More adaptable for WAN use

Security

Focuses on LAN-specific security protocols for substation communication

Can adapt to LAN security

Challenges in WAN's public network security may need special attention

Strong encryption capabilities for WAN

Latency

Optimized for definitive performance in LAN environments

May exhibit variations in LAN

Potential latency challenges in WAN or public networks

May need strategies for latency management

Scalability

Scales well within LAN systems, especially for substations

Generally scalable in LAN

May require specific adaptations for WAN-scale deployments

Generally adaptable for WAN