This guide explains how to deploy n8n using its official Docker image on the Jelastic Cloud (Infomaniak PaaS).

Preamble

• Unlike tools like Zapier or Make, n8n, a “fair-code” workflow automation tool, can be self-hosted, allowing you to keep full control over your data while connecting hundreds of services via an intuitive visual interface.
• The official image used is n8nio/n8n.
• Using an external database (PostgreSQL) is highly recommended for stability and managing large volumes of data.
• The default internal port is 5678.
• For additional help contact a partner or launch a free tender — also discover the role of the host.

1. Creating the Jelastic environment

Follow these steps to configure your topology:

1. Log in to the Jelastic Cloud dashboard.
2. Click on New environment.
3. In the creation assistant:
   • Go to the Docker tab.
   • Click on Select an image and search for n8nio/n8n. Set a version (e.g., latest or a specific version like 1.75.0).
   • Load Balancer: add a node (e.g., Nginx) to handle SSL and public access.
   • Database: add a PostgreSQL node (version 14+ recommended).
4. Allocate enough Cloudlets (8 min. recommended for peak n8n usage) and name your environment.
5. Click on Create.

2. Configuring storage and persistence

By default, Docker data is ephemeral. It is imperative to mount a volume:

1. On the n8n node, click on the Configuration icon (the gear).
2. Go to the Volumes section.
3. Click on Add:
   • Local path: /home/node/.n8n
4. Save; configuration files and local encryption will now be preserved.

3. Essential environment variables

Access the Environment Variables section of the n8n container to set the following parameters:

Linking with PostgreSQL

To use the external database, also add:

• DB_TYPE: postgresdb
• DB_POSTGRESDB_HOST: Internal IP address or DNS of the Postgres node.
• DB_POSTGRESDB_PORT: 5432
• DB_POSTGRESDB_DATABASE: Database name (e.g., n8n).
• DB_POSTGRESDB_USER: Your user.
• DB_POSTGRESDB_PASSWORD: Your password.

4. First access and security

1. Once the container is restarted, open the URL of your environment.
2. Account creation: n8n will ask you to create the first administrator account.
3. SSL: if you are using a custom domain, install the Let's Encrypt add-on on the Load Balancer node.

5. Post-installation verification

• Create a test workflow with a Webhook node and verify that the generated URL is in https.
• Check the container logs to ensure no database connection errors appear.