HowTo: Node Red - Installing Node Red on the Raspberry Pi - Nerdiy.de - Nerdy DIY HowTo's about electronic, 3D-printing and more.

NodeRed, in my opinion, is one of the most intuitive graphical programming tools in the SmartHome/IoT range.

In NodeRed, program sequences are not programmed (only) with program code but, to a large extent, with function blocks (nodes) that can be combined and connected with each other.
This reduces the hurdles for beginners and changers with NodeRed.

But before you can use NodeRed you have to integrate it into your SmartHome system.
How to install NodeRed on a RapsberryPi is described in the following article.

Hints for our lovely english readers: Basically, many of the articles on Nerdiy.de are translations from the original german articles. Therefore, it may happen here and there that some illustrations are not available in english and that some translations are weird/strange/full of mistakes or generally totaly wrong. So if you find some obvious (or also not obvious) mistakes don't hesitate to leave us a hint about that in the comment section.
Also please don't get confused, that instead of a "dot" often a "comma" is used as decimal separator. 🙂

Safety instructions

I know the following hints are always a bit annoying and seem unnecessary. But unfortunately, many people who knew it "better" from carelessness lost their eyes, fingers or other things or hurt themselves. In comparison, a loss of data is almost not worth mentioning, but even these can be really annoying. Therefore, please take five minutes to read the safety instructions. Even the coolest project is worth no injury or other annoyance. https://www.nerdiy.de/en/sicherheitshinweise/

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Requirements

Helpful Articles:
Before you start with the installation, you should have prepared the RaspberryPi so far that it can be reached via the network and controlled by SSH.

The following three articles describe what to do to prepare the RaspberryPi:
RaspberryPi - Setting up for Nerdiys!
RaspberryPi - The First Configuration!
RaspberryPi - Control the RaspberryPi via SSH

Required tools:
-none-

Required material:

In the following list you will find all the parts you need to implement this article.

Log in via SSH on the RaspberryPi

To get started, you first need to log in to RasPi with SSH on Putty. How to do it is described in the article

RaspberryPi - Controlling the RaspberryPi via SSH.

After entering your username and password you can start to enter the first commands.

Update package management

The package management in Linux is a "central point" over which various software packages can be installed. For this to work reliably, the lists and sources of package management should be updated before installing any new packages.

To start the package management update you have to enter the following command.

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

Depending on how long your last update of the package management is, this process may take some time. First, the lists are updated in which the individual repositories are referenced.

Then the packages themselves are updated. As this additional memory is occupied, you will be asked again for your consent. You have to confirm this with a "J"(in German) or a "Y" and "Enter".

When the update is complete, you will see a small summary of the duration and scope of the update.

Run installation script

Installing NodeRed is child's play thanks to an installation script provided by the developers. It automatically installs and configures the required software packages.
To start the installation script you just need to run the following command.

bash <(curl -sL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/node-red/linux-installers/master/deb/update-nodejs-and-nodered)

Before the installation script starts with the installation you have to confirm once again that you agree. It also states that you may need to back up your SD card. If you agree, you confirm this query with a "Y" and "Enter".

During the last query before the installation script starts with the installation, you can specify if you want to install the "pi-specific" -nodes as well. These nodes access functions typical of the RaspberryPI. For example, then nodes are installed with which you can access the GPIO pins of your RaspberryPI. If not otherwise desired you can install these quietly.

… and should have installed the required software packages after about five minutes.

After the installation you can start NodeRed. Just follow the next steps. It is also recommended to set up the autostart of NodeRed.

Start NodeRed

The following command can be used to start NodeRed:

sudo systemctl start nodered

Stop NodeRed

NodeRed can be stopped with the following command:

sudo systemctl stop nodered

Restart NodeRed

Should you need to restart NodeRed, you can do so with the following command:

sudo systemctl restart nodered

Enable autostart of NodeRed

To start NodeRed automatically after restarting the RaspberryPI, you need to execute the following command. So after rebooting the RaspberryPi, you no longer have to worry about starting NodeRed manually.

sudo systemctl enable nodered.service

Call NodeRed interface

After installation, the configuration interface of NodeRed can be accessed under the IP address of your RaspberryPI and port "1880" in the web browser.
Enter the following in the address bar of your browser:

http://IP_EURES_RASPBERRYPI:1880

Of course you have to replace "IP_EURES_RASPBERRYPI" with the real IP address or hostname of your RaspberryPI.

Security

Unfortunately, after installation, your NodeRed installation is unfortunately configured as an open barn door. There are no hurdles (as soon as you're in the same network as the RaspberryPi) over NodeRed commands on the RaspberryPi. You should definitely change this.
Tips can be found in the articles NodeRed - User Login Setup other NodeRed—Encrypt Connection.

Additional information

You can find further information about NodeRed and some examples in the category "NodeRed" on Nerdiy.de. Go to category here.

Have fun with the project

I hope everything worked as described. If not or you have any other questions or suggestions, please let me know in the comments. Also, ideas for new projects are always welcome. 🙂

P.S. Many of these projects - especially the hardware projects - cost a lot of time and money. Of course I do this because I enjoy it, but if you appreciate that I share this information with you, I would be happy about a small donation to the coffee box. 🙂