Concurrent User-Friendly Workaround for Dashboard Addon

[MarwanElhabrouk]

Introduction:
The node-red dashboard addon is an essential tool for managing and visualizing data. However, a limitation exists in the current version where multiple users cannot simultaneously key in information without conflicting with each other's dashboards. Utilizing flow forge's multi-instance system is a workaround for this limitation. This proposal suggests an in-app creative solution to overcome this limitation and enhance user experience.

Feature Description:
The proposed feature aims to enable concurrent usage of the dashboard addon by multiple users without clashes. This will be achieved through the implementation of an instance management system, external to the addon, that efficiently assigns unused instances to users.

Workflow:

1. Instance Creation: Upon login, each user is automatically directed to a unique and unused instance of node-red.

2. Instance Tracking: An external database will be integrated into the system to keep track of the dashboard instances. This database will maintain information about which instances are currently in use by which users and which instances are available.

3. Instance Assignment: When a user logs in, the system checks the database for available instances. If an instance is available, it is assigned to the user. Once a user logs off, the instance is marked as available again for another user to use.

4. User Experience: Users will be unaware of the behind-the-scenes process. They will seamlessly access and interact with their dedicated dashboard instance.

Benefits:

1. Simultaneous Usage: With this feature, multiple users can work on their dashboards simultaneously, increasing productivity and collaboration.

2. Avoid Data Conflicts: Dedicated instances prevent data clashes, ensuring that each user's inputs are segregated from others'.

3. Enhanced User Experience: Users are sent directly to their personal dashboard tab, streamlining the interaction process.

I've managed to create a system just like this using a manual approach as a workaround. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch.

[MarianRaphael]

Thank you for sharing these valuable insights on enhancing the node-red dashboard to support multi-user management. Your proposal is extremely well-thought-out and addresses a limitation that we hear about quite frequently. The detailed workflow and benefits you've outlined make a compelling case for this feature.

We're definitely interested in the ideas you've presented and will look into how we can incorporate them into our future roadmap for the dashboard. Multi-User Management is indeed a recurring theme, and your input on this matter is invaluable to us.