socket.io redis store on openshift - node.js

Question

I'm trying to set up socket.io on node.js to use redisstore so i can comunicate with pubsub with multiple node on the opeshift platform, but i can't manage to connect to the redis server. I'm using this cartridge.
I tried to connect with
var pub = redis.createClient(process.env.OPENSHIFT_REDIS_DB_PORT,
process.env.OPENSHIFT_REDIS_DB_HOST);
but it doesn't work (and I found out why: createClient() only accept IP addresses) and it fallback to the default port and host, then I ran rhc port-forward:
$ rhc port-forward appname
Checking available ports ... done
Forwarding ports ...
Address already in use - bind(2) while forwarding port 8080. Trying local port 8081
To connect to a service running on OpenShift, use the Local address
Service Local OpenShift
--------------- --------------- ---- ----------------------------------------------
haproxy 127.0.0.1:8080 => 127.5.149.130:8080
haproxy 127.0.0.1:8081 => 127.5.149.131:8080
s_redis_db_host 127.0.0.1:54151 => blabla.appname.rhcloud.com:54151
Press CTRL-C to terminate port forwarding
So I tought I was doing all wrong and I had to set just the port like this:
var pub = redis.createClient(process.env.OPENSHIFT_REDIS_DB_PORT);
but all I get is this
info: socket.io started
events.js:72
throw er; // Unhandled 'error' event
^
Error: Redis connection to 127.0.0.1:54151 failed - connect ECONNREFUSED
at RedisClient.on_error (/var/lib/openshift/532c3790e0b8cd9bb000006b/app-root/runtime/repo/node_modules/socket.io/node_modules/redis/index.js:149:24)
at Socket.<anonymous> (/var/lib/openshift/532c3790e0b8cd9bb000006b/app-root/runtime/repo/node_modules/socket.io/node_modules/redis/index.js:83:14)
at Socket.EventEmitter.emit (events.js:95:17)
at net.js:426:14
at process._tickCallback (node.js:415:13)
DEBUG: Program node server.js exited with code 8
I tried to connect via
telnet $OPENSHIFT_REDIS_DB_HOST $OPENSHIFT_REDIS_DB_PORT
And it works fine... Do you have any suggestions? Am I doing it wrong? (I'm still new to redis and socket.io)
(I omitted the rest of the code 'cause I know it works, I have no problem on my local machine, I just can't get the connection...)
Thanks a lot

Answer 1

but it doesn't work (and I found out why: createClient() only accept IP addresses) and it fallback to the default port and host
It does support Host, createClient uses net.createConnection(port, host); that does support hostname.
The following code will help you find the issue:
console.log(process.env);
var pub = redis.createClient(process.env.OPENSHIFT_REDIS_DB_PORT,
process.env.OPENSHIFT_REDIS_DB_HOST, {auth_pass: process.env.OPENSHIFT_REDIS_DB_PASSWORD});
pub.on('error', console.log.bind(console));
pub.on('ready', console.log.bind(console, 'redis ready'));
Does your openshift Redis instance requires AUTH ?

Answer 2

don't know if it is about a recent change on openshift, but i think the problem is in the variables. Although they work for telnet.
you can try this
var redisHost = process.env.OPENSHIFT_REDIS_HOST;
var redisPort = process.env.OPENSHIFT_REDIS_PORT;
var redisPass = process.env.REDIS_PASSWORD;
var client = redis.createClient( redisPort, redisHost );
client.auth( redisPass );