Discover Node-RED: The key tool for IoT and automation

Last update: February 7th 2025
Author TecnoDigital
  • Node-RED is a visual programming platform designed to connect devices, APIs and services.
  • Based on Node.js, allows the development of flows through nodes connected to each other.
  • It is widely used in IoT, industrial automation and real-time data management.
  • It has a great community which contributes new nodes and constant improvements.

what is node-red In the world of automation and the Internet of Things (IoT), there is an increasing need for tools that facilitate the integration of devices without requiring advanced programming knowledge. This is where Node-RED, a visual development environment designed to connect hardware, APIs and services with ease.

Thanks to its flexibility and accessibility, Node-RED has become one of the most widely used solutions for developing IoT systems, industrial automation, and real-time data processing. In this article, we will explore its features , applications, and how it can be extremely useful in various sectors.

What is Node-RED?

Node-RED is a flow-based visual programming tool, initially created by IBM in 2013 and later donated to the OpenJS Foundation as an open-source project. Its goal is to facilitate the connection between hardware devices, web services, and APIs through an intuitive graphical interface.

Node-RED runs on Node.js , allowing it to run efficiently on low-power devices like a Raspberry Pi , cloud servers, or even more robust enterprise environments.

How Does It Work?

The operating principle of Node-RED is based on the creation of flows by connecting nodes . These nodes represent different functionalities, such as receiving, processing, and sending data. Each node has a specific function and can connect with others to create a logical sequence of events.

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Node-RED offers a wide range of pre-built nodes , which allow interaction with various third-party protocols, databases, and APIs . Some of the most common protocols include:

  • MQTT: Messaging protocol used in IoT.
  • REST: HTTP-based web services.
  • WebSocket: Real-time communication.
  • Modbus: Industrial protocol for automation.

Key Features of Node-RED

Among the highlights of Node-RED , we find:

  • Intuitive interface: Its graphical editor makes it easy to create flows without having to write code.
  • Extensibility: They can be created and installed custom nodes according to the needs of the user.
  • Open platform: Being open source, it has an active community that contributes improvements and new developments.
  • Compatibility: It is compatible with multiple operating systems and devices.

Node-RED Applications and Uses

Node-RED is used in a wide variety of sectors. Its most common applications include:

  • Internet of Things (IoT): Allows you to connect sensors and smart devices to the cloud.
  • Industrial automation: It facilitates the management and control of industrial processes efficiently.
  • Real time monitoring: It is used for data collection and analysis in interactive dashboards.
  • Integration with business systems: It can be integrated with platforms such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services y Google Cloud.

Installation and first steps

To install Node-RED , you need Node.js. Installation is easily done using the npm package manager with the following command:

npm install -g node-red

Once installed, it can be run with the command:

node-red

By default, the development environment will be available at http://127.0.0.1:1880 , from where workflows can be created and managed.

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Practical example: «Hello World» in Node-RED

To better understand how Node-RED works, we can create a simple flow that sends a "Hello World" message and displays it in the console:

  1. Access the interface of Node-RED through the browser.
  2. Drag a node of type Inject to the work area.
  3. Configure the node to send the message Hello World!.
  4. Add a node of type Debug and connect it to the previous one.
  5. Click on Deploy and then on the Inject node run button.
  6. You will see the message reflected in the tab Debug of the interface.

Communities and contributions

One of Node-RED 's greatest strengths is its developer community. Thanks to its open-source nature, anyone can create and share custom nodes and flows through the Node-RED Library . Currently, there are over 2500 nodes available in the official repository.

This revolutionary tool in the field of automation and device integration allows both experts and beginners to develop advanced solutions without having to delve into programming. With a continuously growing community and a wide variety of uses, this platform is positioned as one of the most important within the IoT and Industry 4.0 ecosystem.