How to use Node-RED for IoT in Manufacturing - Part 2

In the previous part of this blog post series, we introduced Node-RED and its benefits for IoT in manufacturing. In this part, we will show you how to install and run Node-RED on a Raspberry Pi.

What is a Raspberry Pi?

A Raspberry Pi is a small, low-cost, and versatile computer that can run various operating systems and applications. It has a range of input/output (I/O) ports that allow it to connect to various hardware devices, such as sensors, cameras, displays, etc. It also has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity that enable it to communicate with other devices or services.

A Raspberry Pi can be used as an IoT gateway that acts as a bridge between the IoT sensors or devices and the internet or a cloud service. It can run Node-RED as a software application that allows you to create IoT applications by wiring together hardware devices, APIs and online services.

Raspberry Pi

How to install and run Node-RED on a Raspberry Pi?

The installation and running of Node-RED on a Raspberry Pi are quite simple. The steps are as follows:

  1. Connect the Raspberry Pi to the internet via Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable.
  2. Open a terminal window on the Raspberry Pi or access it via SSH from another computer.

  3. Run the following command to install Node-RED on your Raspberry Pi:

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

    This command will download and install Node-RED and its dependencies on your Raspberry Pi.

  4. Run the following command to start Node-RED on your Raspberry Pi:

    node-red-pi --max-old-space-size=256

    This command will run Node-RED with an additional argument to tell the underlying Node.js process to free up unused memory sooner than it would otherwise.

  5. Open a browser window on your Raspberry Pi or another computer and enter the following URL to access the Node-RED web portal:

    http://raspberrypi:1880

    You will see the Node-RED flow editor where you can create your IoT application by dragging and dropping nodes from the palette to the workspace and connecting them with wires.

Node-RED flow editor

You have successfully installed and run Node-RED on your Raspberry Pi. In the next part of this blog post series, we will show you how to create a simple IoT application with Node-RED.

Stay tuned!

  1. Install Node RED on Your Raspberry Pi : 4 Steps - Instructables Accessed 4/10/2023.
  2. Running on Raspberry Pi : Node-RED Accessed 4/10/2023.
  3. Getting Started : Node-RED Accessed 4/10/2023.
  4. How to install Node-RED and AutoStart on boot on Raspberry pi? Accessed 4/10/2023.
  5. Install Node-RED on Raspberry Pi (32-bit and 64-bit RPI OS) Accessed 4/10/2023.
  6. Installing and Starting Node-Red - Steves Node-Red Guide Accessed 4/10/2023.