How to host Node RED on Contabo VM Instance - ServerAvatar

Node-RED is a widely used open-source platform for building and managing complex automation workflows effortlessly. It runs on various platforms, including local machines, cloud services, and edge devices. Node-RED allows users to visually create and coordinate flows for integrating various services and devices, making it suitable for applications from IoT to data processing tasks. Hosting Node-RED on Contabo provides a dependable and scalable solution. Contabo provides a wide range of instance types and configurations to match various performances with flexible deployment options. ServerAvatar simplifies the process by providing a clear, step-by-step guide to setting up Node-RED on Contabo VPS.

Create VM Instance in Contabo

What Is Contabo?

Contabo is a web hosting company that provides a variety of internet hosting services. Founded in Germany in 2003, Contabo offers services such as:

1. VPS Hosting: Virtual Private Servers with scalable resources for various needs, from small projects to larger applications.
2. Dedicated Servers: Physical servers dedicated to a single user, offering high performance and control.
3. Web Hosting: Shared hosting solutions for websites, which include storage, bandwidth, and various management tools.
4. Object Storage: Scalable storage solutions for managing large amounts of data.
5. Domain Registration: Services for registering and managing domain names.

Contabo is known for its competitive pricing, high-performance hardware, and customer service, making it a popular choice for both individual users and businesses looking for reliable hosting solutions.

To set up a server in Contabo, begin by logging into your Contabo account. Once logged in, proceed with the following steps.

Step 1: Create an account on Contabo

Login to your Contabo account, select "VPS" from the dropdown menu, and then click on "Cloud VPS".

Step 2: Select your Cloud VPS plan

Contabo offers a variety of Cloud VPS options. Here, you should select the plan that best meets your requirements as shown in the below image.

The minimum requirements for hosting Node-RED applications are a minimum of 2GB or more RAM to ensure smooth operation, especially if handling multiple flows or integrations, and a minimum of 10GB of free disk space is recommended, but more may be needed depending on the size of your flows and data storage requirements. So, select the plan based on the complexity and traffic of your sites.

Step 3: Select Region

• First, you need to select the term length (in months) according to your requirements.
• Next, you will need to select the location for your VPS. Contabo offers multiple options for selecting the location.
• It's recommended to select the region closest to your audience. This ensures that your sites load faster for the majority of your audience due to reduced latency.

Step 4: Select your Storage Type

Contabo provides different types of storage space, including both complimentary and paid options. Here, you should select the storage type based on your specific requirements. As shown in the image below.

Step 5: Select an Image or an OS

In this step, you need to select the Operating System for your cloud VPS. We recommend using Ubuntu 20.04 LTS x64 or Ubuntu 22.04 LTS x64. Ubuntu is known for its ease of configuration and management. If you are using ServerAvatar to manage your cloud VPS, these operating systems are recommended.

Step 6: Setting a Password

Here, it's recommended to create a strong password for your root user, as it holds all privileges on the Linux OS.

Step 7: Select Object Storage

Now, you need to select object storage space for backing up your VPS. You will find several options ranging from 250 GB to 1 TB. If you do not require object storage you can select the None option from the dropdown.

Step 8: Select Network

• In the Network section, you will find three options, You should select these according to your specific requirements:
  • Private Network
  • Bandwidth
  • IPv4

Step 9: Selecting Additional Options

• Backup Space: This option allows you to add additional storage space dedicated specifically for backups of your VPS data.
• Server Management: Contabo offers server management services where they handle the day-to-day operations of your VPS.
• Monitoring: This option provides monitoring services for your VPS. It includes monitoring server uptime, resource usage (CPU, RAM, disk), and network connectivity.
• SSL: SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates are crucial for securing communication between your website and its visitors.

After completing all the necessary steps, click on the "Next" button to proceed to the payment method where you can finalize your details.

Step 10: Finalize Details

In this step, you can review all your selections for your Cloud VPS, finalize your details, and proceed with the payment. In a few minutes, your Cloud VPS will be ready. Now, we need to perform the initial configuration to host PHP-based frameworks and software.

Initial Server Configuration

The Initial server configuration includes the installation and configuration of various packages required to host your website. Usually, You have to write commands and modify configuration files. Luckily, With ServerAvatar, Your full server configuration and optimization can be automated.

Here are the three ways to automatically configure your server with ServerAvatar.

wget https://srvr.so/install
chmod +x install
./install

Install and Setup Node-RED on Cloud using ServerAvatar

Getting Started With Node-RED:

Node-RED is a flow-based development tool that utilizes visual programming, developed by IBM. It provides a web-based interface enabling users to integrate hardware devices, APIs, and online services creatively.

Node-RED supports the development of custom nodes using JavaScript, following developers to extend its capabilities and seamlessly integrate with proprietary systems. Its efficient runtime and compatibility with Docker containers ensure easy deployment, whether on cloud platforms or local servers.

Key Features:

• Visual Programming: Node-RED uses a visual programming model, which makes the creation and visualization of complex workflows easier.
• Web-Based Interface: Node-RED offers a web-based interface that is accessible from anywhere, making it convenient for remote development and monitoring.
• Open Source: Node-RED is open-source software, that promotes transparency, collaboration, and innovation within the developers.
• Real-Time Processing: Node-RED enables real-time data processing and supports event-driven applications, making it suitable for IoT and automation projects.

Let's begin by creating the application.

Step 1: Create a Node-RED application

• Log in to your ServerAvatar account and navigate to the Application tab from the server panel. click on the Create button.

• On the following screen, fill in the Application details, including:

  • Application Name: Enter your Application Name.
  • Select Domain: Select between a Test Domain or a Primary Domain as per your requirements.
  • Enter Domain: Enter your Application Domain.
  • Method: Select One Click as your application method.
  • Select Application: Select Node RED as an Application.
  • Username: Enter your application Username.
  • Password: Enter the Password for your application.

• After Filling up the details, click on the Create Application button.

Note: If the Node-RED option is disabled and you are unable to select it, you will need to follow additional provided steps.

• Navigate to the Server Settings option and click on the Install button next to the Node Red option.

• After completing the installation process of Node-RED, you can proceed with creating the Node-RED application.

Step 2: Access Node-RED

• Once the Node-RED Application is created, click on the domain link of your Node-RED application.

• The Node-RED interface will open, showing that the installation and setup have been completed successfully.

  • Enter your Username and Password.
  • Click the Login button.

• Congratulations! You've successfully set up a fully functional Node-RED application using ServerAvatar.