How to use 'net' Module in Code Node

[jzrts]

Describe the problem/error/question

In the Code node, const n = require(‘net’); throws an error, even though ‘net’ should be an allowed module by using -e NODE_FUNCTION_ALLOW_EXTERNAL=net,ssh2,node,node:net (by using this config, ‘ssh2’ is available to the Code node, but ‘net’ and ‘node:net’ are not).

The Execute Command node is able to run nodejs and use net: nodejs -e “const n = require(‘net’); console.log(n);” outputs the expected contents of the net module. So net seems to be installed/available to node just not n8n.

But the Code node throws the error when trying do the same thing.

What is the error message (if any)?

ERROR: Cannot find module ‘net’ [line 1]

Please share your workflow

Information on your n8n setup

• n8n version: 1.16
• Database (default: SQLite): Postgres
• n8n EXECUTIONS_PROCESS setting (default: own, main): Default
• Running n8n via (Docker, npm, n8n cloud, desktop app): Docker
• Operating system: Ubuntu

[MutedJam]

Hi @jzrts, net is a built-in module provided by Node.js: Net | Node.js v18.18.2 Documentation

As such you’d need to allow its use through the NODE_FUNCTION_ALLOW_BUILTIN environment variable. For example through a docker run command like this

docker run -it --rm --name n8n -p 5678:5678 -v ~/.n8n:/home/node/.n8n -e NODE_FUNCTION_ALLOW_BUILTIN=net n8nio/n8n:1.18.0

Afterwards you can use it in a workflow like so for example:

Result:

Hope this helps

[jzrts]

Thanks for the clarification! I didn’t realize it’s builtin.