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Node-RED Installation

Overview of Node-RED installation on IRIV PiControl.

Pre-Installation Status​

If shipped with CM4 installed: Node-RED should be pre-configured on the IRIV PiControl, with a default dashboard accessible at iriv.local:1880/ui.

If installing fresh OS: Node-RED installation may be required.

Installation Overview​

Node-RED installation on Raspberry Pi CM4 follows standard Raspberry Pi installation procedures.

Detailed installation steps are not provided in the user manual. For complete installation instructions, refer to the official hands-on tutorial.

Official Installation Resources​

Recommended Tutorial: IRIV PiControl Hands-On Using Node-RED in Industry 4.0

This beginner-friendly tutorial provides step-by-step installation and setup guidance as part of a 13-part series.

Node-RED Official Documentation: Node-RED Installation on Raspberry Pi

Standard installation methods:

  • Install script for Raspberry Pi OS
  • npm installation
  • Docker container deployment

Verification​

After installation, verify Node-RED is running:

Check service status:

sudo systemctl status nodered

Access the editor: Open web browser and navigate to:

http://iriv.local:1880

Access the dashboard: Navigate to:

http://iriv.local:1880/ui

Dashboard Configuration​

The default dashboard on pre-configured units includes:

Control panels:

  • Digital output controls
  • LED controls
  • Buzzer activation
  • System shutdown button

Monitoring panels:

  • System status
  • Network information
  • Device states

Dashboard customization requires Node-RED flow editing.

Required Nodes for IRIV PiControl​

Common Node-RED nodes for industrial applications:

GPIO Control:

  • node-red-node-pi-gpio - Raspberry Pi GPIO nodes
  • Pre-installed on Raspberry Pi OS with Node-RED

Serial Communication:

  • node-red-node-serialport - RS232/RS485 communication
  • Pre-installed with Node-RED

I2C Devices:

  • Custom nodes or function nodes with I2C libraries

Dashboard:

  • node-red-dashboard - Web-based UI components

Installation commands for additional nodes not specified in current sources.

Configuration Files​

Node-RED user directory:

/home/pi/.node-red/

Flows file:

/home/pi/.node-red/flows.json

Settings file:

/home/pi/.node-red/settings.js

Auto-Start Configuration​

Node-RED should be configured to start automatically on boot.

Enable auto-start:

sudo systemctl enable nodered

Start service:

sudo systemctl start nodered

Restart service:

sudo systemctl restart nodered

Port Configuration​

Default ports:

  • Editor: 1880
  • Dashboard: 1880/ui

Port configuration is managed in the Node-RED settings file.

Network Access​

Local access:

http://iriv.local:1880

or

http://[IP_ADDRESS]:1880

Access Point mode: When IRIV PiControl is in AP mode:

  1. Connect to WiFi SSID: iriv
  2. Password: iriv1234
  3. Navigate to: http://iriv.local:1880/ui

Next Steps​

After installation:

  1. Build your first flow
  2. Explore industrial use cases
  3. Follow the complete hands-on tutorial

Source(s):

  • IRIV PiControl Node-RED Tutorial (my.cytron.io)
  • IRIV PiControl CM4 User Manual, Rev 1.3, Nov 2025