Question 1

How to install Node-RED on a Raspberry Pi for IoT projects?

Accepted Answer

Install via npm with 'sudo npm install -g --unsafe-perm node-red', then run 'node-red' and access the editor at localhost:1880. Detailed steps are in the official documentation on nodered.org/docs for edge device setups.

Question 2

Node-RED vs Home Assistant for home automation?

Accepted Answer

Node-RED is a flow-based integration tool often used with Home Assistant for complex automations, while Home Assistant provides a more integrated UI for device management. Node-RED excels at custom logic and multi-service integration beyond home automation.

Question 3

Best practices for organizing large Node-RED flows?

Accepted Answer

Use subflows to modularize reusable logic, label nodes clearly, and leverage the flow library for sharing. Breaking flows into sections prevents complexity and improves maintainability in collaborative environments.

Question 4

How to create a custom node in Node-RED?

Accepted Answer

Custom nodes are written in JavaScript and packaged as npm modules. Define HTML for the editor UI and JavaScript for runtime logic, then contribute to the Node-RED Library or deploy locally for project-specific needs.

Question 5

Can Node-RED handle real-time data processing efficiently?

Accepted Answer

While it can process real-time data, performance depends on node implementation and flow complexity. For high-throughput systems, optimize flows with dedicated nodes and monitor latency, as the architecture may not match dedicated streaming tools.

Question 6

Integrating Node-RED with AWS IoT Core?

Accepted Answer

Use the community AWS IoT node or create a custom node with the AWS SDK. Node-RED's MQTT nodes can connect to AWS IoT Core for message handling, leveraging its event-driven capabilities for cloud integrations.

Node-RED

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