The easiest way to install Node-Red is by running our Andinopy install script. The script will automatically install all dependencies, as well AndinoTCP, which is necessary to use the Andino OLED node and recommended to use the Andino X1 node.

Node Red can also be installed manually. However, note that many of the custom Andino Node-Red nodes require Andinopy to work correctly. To use these nodes, please install Andinopy as described here.

To save write cycles on your SD Card you can install Log2Ram which stores the Log Files in memory. This isn't strictly necessary but highly recommended as it dramatically increases the lifespan of the Pi SD card.

First, install git:

sudo apt -y install git

Get log2ram from the git repository:

git clone https://github.com/azlux/log2ram.git

Enter the new directory and make the install script executable, then run the script:

cd log2ram
chmod +x install.sh
sudo ./install.sh

Finally, reboot the Pi:

sudo reboot

Check if log2ram is running. The command

df -h

should reveal it as an entry:

log2ram          40M  452K   40M   2% /var/log

After that you can install Node.js and Node-Red. 

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

To run Node Red from the terminal

node-red-pi

To run Nore-Red in background on boot:

sudo systemctl enable nodered.service

Node-Red is now fully set up and can be reached on port 1880 by default.

Note: If you got an Andino device with Node-Red pre-installed, the default login credentials for the Web UI are admin/admin.

If you want to enable username/password authentication for accessing the UI, first edit the Node-Red settings file:

nano ~/.node-red/settings.js

Here, uncomment the whole adminAuth section (press Ctrl + W, then type adminAuth and hit Enter)

// Securing Node-RED
// -----------------
// To password protect the Node-RED editor and admin API, the following
// property can be used. See http://nodered.org/docs/security.html for details.
adminAuth: {
    type: "credentials",
    users: [{
        username: "admin",
        password: "$2b$08$nz5H8H5uUtYObtSKM2wpEOYTvRN9PpEOVX6mPJZgrNETh8seCBXzC",
        permissions: "*"
    }]
},

For every user, you now need to generate a password. This can be done by saving, then exiting the file (Ctrl + O; Ctrl + X), then running

node-red admin hash-pw

Enter your password, then press enter. This will return the password hash. Copy it, edit the settings.js file again and paste it in the now uncommented password section in place of the pre-existing token. Save and quit the file, then restart Node-Red:

sudo systemctl restart nodered.service

The WebUI should now be secured with a password. If you also want to enable HTTPS, or wish to add more users and enable custom permissions per user, please refer to the official Node-Red documentation

While this configuration already offers some functionality, there are several purpose-built nodes for usage on Andino boards. A full list of all available nodes can be viewed by going to the Node-Red Settings, selecting Palette and Install. Here, search for andino to see a list of all Nodes.

All nodes can be installed in two ways:

  1. Search for the package name of the node/node collection in the Palette manager (see section above)

  2. Install the node with npm: Run the following command in the Node-Red directory - per default: ~/.node-red 

    sudo npm install packageName

The following Nodes are available for Andino boards:

Package name: node-red-contrib-andinox1

The Andino X1 node enables communication between NodeRed and the Andino X1 firmware via Andinopy TCP. Specifically, it allows the user to:

For detailed documentation on the node, refer to Andino X1 Node.

Package name: node-red-contrib-andino-sms

This collection includes four nodes that facilitate sending and receiving SMS messages on an Andino board using a 2G or 4G modem.

For setup instructions refer to Andino SMS Nodes

Package name: node-red-contrib-andinooled

This node enables controlling the OLED display of Andino IO devices easily through NodeRed. It does so by connecting to Andinopy TCP.

For setup instructions refer to OLED display control node (Adafruit SSD1306).

Some more information and samples about Node Red

[https://randomnerdtutorials.com/getting-started-with-node-red-on-raspberry-pi/]()

If you have chosen Home Assistant as OS, Node Red can be installed as an addon and thus the I/Os of the Andino device can still be used.

Prepare the SD card with Home Assistant according to the instructions. You can find the instructions under the following link:

Installation Home Assistent

After flashing the OS, it must still be adjusted. It is necessary to adjust the configuration of the serial interface. Follow the steps below.

In the boot directory the file config.txt must be edited. In the lower area there are the two lines:

"#enable_uart=1"

"#dtoverlay=miniuart-bt"

remove the "#" character. Additionally the following line must be inserted "core_freq=250". Leave all other settings as they are.

Your file should look like this:

config

Furthermore the following sequence must be deleted in the file cmdline.txt:

"console=tty1"

cmdline

now continue with the installation of the Home Assistant.

Once the basic installation is complete and the system is set up, Node Red can be installed as an add-on.

To do this, click on Settings -> Add-on -> Add-on Store -> Node-RED.

Now click on Install. Now wait until Node-Red is completely installed.

node-red_config

Click on Configuration, there are a few settings to be made for this.

node-red_config_1

Node-Red expects a password under credential_secret. If you do not have a suitable SSL certificate available, deactivate this option.

Confirm the entries with Save.

Now Node-Red can be started.

Afterwards Node-Red can be opened.

Switch to the settings in Node-Red.

node-red_config_2

Palette -> Installation -> Search "andino".

node-red_config_3

Install all 3 andino packages.

Now Node-Red has been configured successfully and you can use the Andino devices.