Deploying Node-RED with Modbus Support
Node-RED is a powerful, open-source tool designed for integrating hardware devices, APIs, and online services. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for deploying Node-RED on the ALPON X4 via Sixfab Connect. For advanced customization, refer to the official Node-RED documentation.
Deployment
Ensure the nodered/node-red container is available in your Sixfab registry. If it is not, follow these steps to add it:
- Open a terminal on your personal computer and pull the Node-RED container:
docker pull --platform linux/arm64 nodered/node-red:latest
- Log in to the Sixfab Connect platform, navigate to the Sixfab Registry page
- Click on + Add Container and follow the prompts to push container to Sixfab registry.
Manage and Deploy Applications
Visit the Manage & Deploy Applications page for all the necessary details on pushing your container image to the Sixfab Registry.
Alternative Deployment Option:
If you prefer not to use the Sixfab registry, select the I would like to use my own container path option during deployment and enter: nodered/node-red:latest
This will deploy the container directly from Docker Hub.
Configuration
-
Go to the Application section of your asset on Sixfab Connect.
-
Click the + Deploy button to configure and deploy the container.
-
In the Deploy Container window, use the following settings:
- Container Name: node-red
- Image: Select the Node-RED image and tag pushed to the Sixfab Registry, or follow the steps mentioned in the 'Alternative Deployment Option'.
- Enable Host Network: Enable this option to allow Node-RED to communicate with other devices on your local network.
- Click the "+ Deploy" button to deploy Node-RED.
Check Deployment
Once deployment is complete:
- Locate the local IP address. The device's IP address can be viewed under Assets Details → Network tab → Interface Monitoring — Details.
- Open a web browser and navigate to: http://<DEVICE_IP_ADDRESS>:1880
- The Node-RED dashboard should now be accessible.
Modbus Configuration in Node-RED
After deploying Node-RED, follow these steps to configure Modbus:
Access Node-RED Dashboard
-
Navigate to: http://<DEVICE_IP_ADDRESS>:1880
-
Install Modbus Support
-
In the Node-RED dashboard, click on the menu (top-right corner) and select Manage Palette.
-
Go to the Install tab and search for node-red-contrib-modbus.
-
Click Install to add Modbus functionality.
-
Example: Configuring a Read Flow
- Prepare a flow like the one below by dragging and dropping from the palette on the left.

- Double click to Modbus Server node and configure it like below and click 'Done', Use 10502 (or another port, as required).

- The Modbus Read node must then be configured by double-clicking it.

The example uses 'FC 3: Read Holding Registers' though a different structure can be selected based on specific requirements.
Once the configurations are completed, a server should be added by clicking the '+' button to define the server to be read.

After entering the required fields, first click the 'Add' button and then the 'Done' button to complete the configuration.
- Click the 'Deploy' button in the top-right corner of the Node-RED interface.
- Check the debug screen. If everything is configured correctly, you should see data being read every 15 seconds.

This guide provides the essential steps to deploy and configure Node-RED with Modbus support on the ALPON X4. For further customization, explore the additional features and nodes available in Node-RED.
Updated about 1 month ago