IBM WebSphere MQ is used to provide messaging support for applications. It has the capability to transmit messages across diverse networks. The application can connect to IBM WebSphere MQ whenever there is a need to send or receive a message. IBM WebSphere MQ can handle diverse types of processors, operating systems, subsystems, and other communication protocols while transferring the message between systems. Another feature is that while transferring a message, if it finds that a processor is not available, it can place the message in a queue and transfer it later once the processor or system becomes available. The following are the different modes of operation supported by IBM WebSphere MQ, which is considered a messaging and queuing application:

• Point-to-point transfer
• Publish/subscribe
• File transfer

The key features of WebSphere MQ are explained as follows:

• Messaging: Processes communicate with each other by sending messages, and not by means of calls.
• Queuing: Messages that are sent are placed in queues and then processed in order so that the different processes can work independently without having any direct connection and the associated overhead.
• Point-to-point: It is possible to send multicast/broadcast messages to a list of queues. So it is necessary for the sender to know the destination name, but not necessarily the location of the destination.
• Publish/subscribe: All the applications that are interested in specific types or categories of messages will subscribe to those messages that are published by specific applications/processes.
• Multicast: This speeds up the pace at which messages are transmitted. It gives the capability to a publisher to send messages to multiple subscribers in the network at the same time.
• Telemetry: IBM WebSphere MQ Telemetry is designed to support messaging for devices. It sets up a connection between device and application messaging. It provides connectivity between the various components, such as the application, internet, services, and so on, with networks of instrumented devices. IBM WebSphere MQ Telemetry comes with a very efficient protocol that provides messaging support for a large number of devices that are connected over a network. This messaging protocol is published so that it can be added to the devices.