Merge pull request #1590 from FlowFuse/gdziuba-blog-balena-how-to

Blog balena and FlowFuse

src/blog/2024/01/how-to-deploy-node-red-with-flowfuse-to-balenacloud.md

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+---
+title: Step-by-Step Guide to Deploying Node-RED with FlowFuse in balena Cloud
+subtitle: Fleet management made easier with FlowFuse and balena.
+description: Fleet management made easier with FlowFuse and balena.
+date: 2024-01-30
+authors: ["grey-dziuba"]
+image: blog/2024/01/images/balena-and-flowfuse.png
+tags:
+    - posts
+    - flowfuse
+    - how-to
+---
+
+In a [recent webinar with balena](https://flowfuse.com/webinars/2024/balena/), we explored the dynamic capabilities of deploying FlowFuse to a fleet of devices using balena Cloud. This blog post serves as a practical guide to replicate that process, specifically tailored for those aiming to streamline their deployment of FlowFuse in an efficient and user-friendly manner.
+
+<!--more-->
+
+# How to Implement FlowFuse with balena Cloud on a Fleet of devices
+
+[![Deploying Node-RED with FlowFuse in balena Cloud](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cKFu1ljUlKE/hqdefault.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKFu1ljUlKE "Deploying Node-RED with FlowFuse in balena Cloud")
+
+
+## Preparation Steps
+Before diving into the deployment process, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with key resources. We recommend reviewing our previous [blog post](https://flowfuse.com/blog/2023/11/device-agent-balena/) on deploying the FlowFuse Device Agent via balena. This post contains a vital link to the GitHub repository, essential for deploying FlowFuse with balena, laying the groundwork for the steps ahead.
+
+## Creating a New Fleet in balena Cloud
+1. Navigate to the [FlowFuse git](https://github.com/FlowFuse/balena-device-agent) repository. Click on the **Deploy with balena** button.
+2. Name your fleet.
+3. Select your default device.
+4. Click **Create and Deploy**.
+
+## Adding Devices to the Fleet
+Once your fleet is created, the next step is to add devices. To add a device to your fleet, follow these [instructions](https://docs.balena.io/learn/getting-started/var-som-mx6/rust/#add-a-device-and-download-os).
+
+## Setting Up FlowFuse
+Setting up FlowFuse correctly is essential for seamless operation:
+1. Create a new instance within FlowFuse or use an existing one if you prefer. Follow these [instructions](https://flowfuse.com/docs/user/introduction/#creating-a-node-red-instance) to create a new instance.
+2. Create a **Device Provisioning Token** by following these [instructions](https://flowfuse.com/docs/device-agent/register/#generating-%22provisioning-configuration%22).
+3. Ensure you add the FlowFuse Node-RED application you want the devices to provision. If left at default, devices will need to be manually added to applications.
+
+## Using the Device Provisioning Token
+1. First, convert the contents of the Device Provisioning Token to base64. Follow these [instructions](https://flowfuse.com/blog/2023/11/device-agent-balena/#environment-variable) to convert the file to base64.
+2. Once converted, import this string into balena as a **Fleet** level variable, not a device level variable. Follow these [instructions](https://docs.balena.io/learn/manage/variables/#fleet-wide-variables) to import the Fleet level variable with the Name `FF_DEVICE_YML`.
+3. This action will provision any new device added to the fleet with the yaml file configuration, automatically adding the device to a FlowFuse instance. 
+
+## Deploying and Testing the FlowFuse Instance
+Deploying the FlowFuse instance brings everything together:
+1. Navigate to your FlowFuse application created earlier.
+2. Go to your devices and you should now see your newly provisioned devices from balena.
+3. If this is your first time setting up your fleet, the device will not have a snapshot. You will need to deploy a snapshot. Follow these [instructions](https://flowfuse.com/docs/user/snapshots/#create-a-snapshot) to do so. Ensure that you select **Set Target Snapshot**.
+4. Once complete, the FlowFuse instance will deploy to your device(s).
+
+# Integrating InfluxDB (Optional)
+Integrating InfluxDB enables effective data storage and management:
+1. Similar to the previous steps, navigate to this [Github repository](https://github.com/mpous/flowfuse-agent-influx-balena/tree/main?tab=readme-ov-file) and click **Deploy with balena**.
+2. This time, instead of creating a new fleet, select **Use an existing fleet instead**.
+3. Choose your fleet for deployment and select **Deploy to fleet**.
+
+## Data Generation and Management
+For testing, we have created a flow to get you started. Follow this [link](https://flows.nodered.org/flow/66f37bb739b6cdb0c7ad3a4e2edd68ef) and import it. There are four sets of flows for you to begin with. The first is for data generation. The second is a manual data generation flow. The third is key as it initiates the creation of a database, in this case, **mydb**. The last flow is a simple query that pulls data from InfluxDB.
+1. Import the flows into your FlowFuse instance of Node-RED and deploy. Follow these [instructions](https://flowfuse.com/blog/2023/03/3-quick-node-red-tips-5/#2.-import-helpful-example-flows-provided-with-custom-nodes) for importing and exporting.
+2. Return to Flowfuse, go to your instance, and create another [snapshot](https://flowfuse.com/docs/user/snapshots/#create-a-snapshot).
+3. Ensure that you **Set Target Snapshot**.
+
+## Finalizing and Testing the Setup
+The final steps ensure that your setup is fully operational:
+1. Once deployed, navigate to the device.  
+2. [Enable Developer Mode](https://flowfuse.com/docs/device-agent/deploy/#editing-the-node-red-flows-on-a-device-that-is-assigned-to-an-application).
+3. Next, click the newly revealed button, **Open Editor**, to access the deployed Flow.
+
+## Conclusion
+Implementing FlowFuse with balena Cloud significantly enhances your device management and data processing capabilities. This guide provides a foundational approach, but don't hesitate to delve deeper into each step to tailor the setup to your specific needs.
+
+