Raspberry Pi IoT Server Setup

Objective

• Create a Raspberry Pi IoT server to collect sensor data.
• Visualize data using Grafana dashboard.

Project Overview

• Sensor Node: Arduino Uno with BME 680 sensor.
  • Collects: Temperature, pressure, humidity, air quality.
  • Sends data every 2 seconds in JSON format.
  • Uses MQTT protocol to send data to Raspberry Pi server.

MQTT Protocol

• Client/Server Communication:
  • Client publishes data to a broker/server (Mosquitto).
  • Broker forwards messages to subscribed clients.
• Topics: Categorize data sent via MQTT (e.g., home/office).

Applications Required on Raspberry Pi

1. Mosquitto: MQTT broker
2. Node-RED: For data flow management
3. InfluxDB: Database to store sensor data
4. Grafana: Frontend for data visualization
5. Portainer: Manage Docker containers graphically

Docker and Containers

• Applications run in containers for easy setup and management.
• Containers are lighter than virtual machines; run above the OS.
• Use IoTStack to simplify Docker setup.

Getting Started

• Raspbian OS: Fresh install (64-bit Lite version).
• Enable SSH and set a static IP address.

Initial Setup Steps

1. Update System:
   • sudo apt update
   • sudo apt upgrade
2. Download IoT Stack:
   • Use curl command to install Docker and necessary packages.
3. Restart the Pi for environment variables.

Configuring IoTStack

• Go to IoT stack folder:
  • Run ./.menu.sh to build stack.
  • Select applications (Grafana, InfluxDB, Mosquitto, Node-RED, and Portainer).
• Start all containers:
  • Use Docker commands to verify (docker-compose ps).
• Access Portainer via web browser at IP:9000.

InfluxDB Configuration

1. Enter InfluxDB container:
   • docker exec -it influxdb influx
   • Create database: create database sensor_data
2. Exit container using quit.

Node-RED Configuration

1. Access Node-RED via web browser at IP:1880.
2. Create a flow with:
   • MQTT Input: Subscribe to the topic (e.g., /home/sensors).
   • Change Node: Modify JSON data keys.
   • InfluxDB Output: Configure database connection (IP, port, and measurement name).
3. Deploy the configuration.

Testing Data Flow

• Check InfluxDB for entries:
  • Enter InfluxDB container and run:
    • use sensor_data
    • show measurements
    • select * from sensor_data

Grafana Dashboard Setup

1. Access Grafana dashboard at IP:3000.
   • Login: Default credentials (admin/admin).
   • Change password.
2. Add InfluxDB as a data source:
   • Enter IP, port (8086), and database name.
   • Save and test connection.
3. Create a new dashboard:
   • Add panels for each measurement.
   • Adjust settings and save dashboard.

Conclusion

• Successfully created an IoT server.
• Data from sensors visualized effectively on a Grafana dashboard.
• Refer to the website for all commands and additional resources.