Why does node express req.session disappear with redis? - node.js

Node.js express sessions work perfectly for me with this code:
var express = require("express");
var app = express();
app.use(express.bodyParser());
app.use(express.cookieParser());
app.use(express.session({
cookie: {maxAge: pembapp.dayInMilliseconds * 180},
secret: 'mysecret',
key: 'mykey'
}));
I can access req.session.whatever with no problem.
Now I want to use redis to store session data in case a server restart is needed, so the code becomes this:
var express = require("express");
var app = express();
var RedisStore = require('connect-redis')(express);
app.use(express.bodyParser());
app.use(express.cookieParser());
app.use(express.session({
cookie: {maxAge: pembapp.dayInMilliseconds * 180},
secret: 'mysecret',
key: 'mykey',
store: new RedisStore({
host: 'localhost',
port: 6379,
db: 2,
prefix: 'myprefix',
pass: 'mypasswd'
})
}));
When I add the redis code, req.session is now undefined! Can't figure this out for the life of me. Why would req.sesion "disappear" when I add a redis store for sessions???

I think we can close this one out. Perhaps I wasn't connecting to redis when req.session was undefined. I did find that I needed to explicitly call req.session.save() when using redis, which wasn't needed without redis.
Judging from the questions I've seen out there, ff someone could create a clear node.js example using redis-connect for persistent sessions, for node newbies, starting from scratch, I think you'd make a bunch of folks very happy.

Are you sure it is connecting to the Redis database?

Related

Store Node JS express sessions using Azure Redis Cache

I have tried to build an Express 4 Web App using Azure. I found on several articles that I can store the sessions in Azure Redis Cache. However, how should I connect my web app to the redis cache?
var session = require('express-session');
var redis = require('redis');
var RedisStore = require('connect-redis')(session);
var client = redis.createClient(6380, 'MyHost', { auth_pass: 'MyPass', tls: { servername: 'MyHostName' } });
app.use(session({
secret: 'keyboard cat',
key: 'sid',
resave: false,
saveUninitialized: false,
store: new RedisStore(client);
}));
But then it returns an error when I run the app. Saying
TypeError: this.client.unref is not a function
How can I solve this? Thanks!
You might make a mistake in RedisStore constructor.
Change the following line of code store: new RedisStore(client); as below:
store: new RedisStore({client: client});

Best Session Storage Middleware for Express + PostgreSQL

I'm looking for sessionstore for production app because I have error message:
Warning: connect.session() MemoryStore is not designed for a
production environment, as it will leak memory, and will not scale
past a single process
My code:
var express = require('express');
var ECT = require('ect');
var cookieParser = require('cookie-parser');
var compress = require('compression');
var session = require('express-session');
var bodyParser = require('body-parser');
var _ = require('lodash');
var passport = require('passport');
var expressValidator = require('express-validator');
var connectAssets = require('connect-assets');
app.use(bodyParser.json());
app.use(bodyParser.urlencoded({ extended: true }));
app.use(expressValidator());
app.use(methodOverride());
app.use(cookieParser());
app.use(session({
resave: true,
saveUninitialized: true,
secret: secrets.sessionSecret,
}));
app.use(passport.initialize());
app.use(passport.session());
var app = module.exports = express();
var server = require('http').Server(app);
var io = require('socket.io')(server);
server.listen(app.get('port'), function() {
console.log('Express server listening on port %d in %s mode', app.get('port'), app.get('env'));
});
module.exports = app;
I don't know what is the best solution for my production app. I'm using sequelize as ORM with PostgreSQL.
I will be very grateful with any opinion.
Though an answer has been accepted, I think a more elaborated answer is in order, so that people who actually want to use Express with PostgreSQL for consistent session storage can have a proper reference.
Express has the session module to handle the sessions though it defaults to in-memory storage that is suitable for development stages but not for production
Warning The default server-side session storage, MemoryStore, is purposely not designed for a production environment. It will leak memory under most conditions, does not scale past a single process, and is meant for debugging and developing.
So for PostgreSQL there is a dedicated simple connector called connect pg simple
Once you import the connect-pg-simple you . need to pass it the session import like this:
const session = require('express-session')
const pgSession = require('connect-pg-simple')(session)
When you add the session as middleware you'll have to pass it its settings
app.use(session(sessionConfig))
and in your sessionConfig, this would be where you set all your session parameters you need to add a store option that would look like this (adding the full set of options though for the matter at hand just note the store option):
const sessionConfig = {
store: new pgSession({
pool: sessionDBaccess,
tableName: 'session'
}),
name: 'SID',
secret: randomString.generate({
length: 14,
charset: 'alphanumeric'
}),
resave: false,
saveUninitialized: true,
cookie: {
maxAge: 1000 * 60 * 60 * 24 * 7,
aameSite: true,
secure: false // ENABLE ONLY ON HTTPS
}}
The new instance of pgSesision takes two options, the pool which is the config setup to access the PostgreSQL DB and the table name.
The DB connection setting should look like this:
const sessionDBaccess = new sessionPool({
user: DB_USER,
password: DB_PASS,
host: DB_HOST,
port: DB_PORT,
database: DB_NAME})
Also note that the session pool must be initiated:
const sessionPool = require('pg').Pool
I got it working with connect-pg-simple.
Create a session table with the provided table.sql, and pass in a connection string or an object.
If you have just to store session you can use redis or maybe mongoDB if you want persistence.

Using passport and OAuth with connect-redis

I am trying to use passport-twitter and passport-facebook for authentication in an app that is using Redis for Express sessions. If I remove the connect-redis for storing sessions in express, everything works fine, but with the Redis sessions, I get the following error:
Error: OAuth authentication requires session support
| at Strategy.OAuthStrategy.authenticate
My code is below:
app.configure(function(){
app.set('port', process.env.PORT || port);
app.use(express.favicon());
app.use(express.logger('dev'));
app.use(express.bodyParser());
app.use(express.methodOverride());
app.use(express.cookieParser("supersecret"));
app.use('/html', express.static('html'));
app.use('/assets', express.static('assets'));
});
if (process.env.REDISCLOUD_URL) {
var rtg = require("url").parse(process.env.REDISCLOUD_URL),
redis = require('redis'),
connectRedisStore = require('connect-redis')(express),
authToken = rtg.auth.split(":")[1];
app.configure(function(){
app.use(
express.session(
{
secret: 'supersecret',
cookie: { maxAge: 60000 },
store: new connectRedisStore({
host: rtg.hostname,
port: rtg.port,
db: authToken[0],
pass: authToken[1]
})
}
)
);
app.use(passport.initialize());
app.use(passport.session(
{
secret: 'supersecret',
store: new connectRedisStore({
host: rtg.hostname,
port: rtg.port,
db: authToken[0],
pass: authToken[1]
})
}
));
});
}
Is it possible to use these together?
Edit:
On further debugging, it seems that using connect-redis for the express session store is not setting the req.session to anything. This is what is causing the problem. Unfortunately, I can't seem to make it work at all. Other people with the same issue have fixed it by putting the cookieParser line above the session line, but that's where it's always been in mine, so the issue is something else. I am at a loss.
Ok, after two days of searching and poking through the source code of all the node_modules involved (express, connect, connect-redis), I tracked down my problem to a simple stupid typo.
authToken = rtg.auth.split(":")[1];
The authToken here just provides the password (which is all that redis uses to connect). But to manually choose a database, you need to remove the [1] and pass in the first element as the db name, and the second as the pass. Hope it helps someone else out there!

How to save and retrieve session from Redis

I am trying to integrate Redis sessions into my authentication system written in Node.js.
I have been able to successfully set up Redis server, connect-redis and Express server.
Here is my setup (just the important bit):
var express = require("express");
var RedisStore = require("connect-redis")(express);
var redis = require("redis").createClient();
app.use(express.cookieParser());
app.use(express.session({
secret: "thisismysecretkey",
store: new RedisStore({ host: 'localhost', port: 6379, client: redis })
}));
Now... How do I actually create, read and destroy the session? I am aware that that is probably extremely simple. I have read tons of articles on how to setup connect-redis and many questions here on SO, but I swear each one stops on just the configuration and does not explain how to actually use it...
That should be all there is to it. You access the session in your route handlers via req.session. The sessions are created, saved, and destroyed automatically.
If you need to manually create a new session for a user, call req.session.regenerate().
If you need to save it manually, you can call req.session.save().
If you need to destroy it manually, you can call req.session.destroy().
See the Connect documentation for the full list of methods and properties.
Consider this code.
var express = require('express');
var redis = require("redis");
var session = require('express-session');
var redisStore = require('connect-redis')(session);
var bodyParser = require('body-parser');
var client = redis.createClient();
var app = express();
app.set('views', __dirname + '/views');
app.engine('html', require('ejs').renderFile);
app.use(session({
secret: 'ssshhhhh',
// create new redis store.
store: new redisStore({ host: 'localhost', port: 6379, client: client,ttl : 260}),
saveUninitialized: false,
resave: false
}));
app.use(bodyParser.json());
app.use(bodyParser.urlencoded({extended: true}));
app.get('/',function(req,res){
// create new session object.
if(req.session.key) {
// if email key is sent redirect.
res.redirect('/admin');
} else {
// else go to home page.
res.render('index.html');
}
});
app.post('/login',function(req,res){
// when user login set the key to redis.
req.session.key=req.body.email;
res.end('done');
});
app.get('/logout',function(req,res){
req.session.destroy(function(err){
if(err){
console.log(err);
} else {
res.redirect('/');
}
});
});
app.listen(3000,function(){
console.log("App Started on PORT 3000");
});
So you need to install connect-redis and pass your express-session instance to it.
Then in middleware initialize redisStore with server details like this.
app.use(session({
secret: 'ssshhhhh',
// create new redis store.
store: new redisStore({ host: 'localhost', port: 6379, client: client,ttl : 260}),
saveUninitialized: false,
resave: false
}));
I put ttl to 260, you can increase. After TTL reaches its limits, it will automatically delete the redis key.
In routers you can use req.session variable to SET, EDIT or DESTROY the session.
One more thing...
If you want custom cookie i.e not as same as in your Redis store you can use cookie-parser to set cookie secrets.
Hope it helps.
link : https://codeforgeek.com/2015/07/using-redis-to-handle-session-in-node-js/
You can also use the Redis monitor tool to see all the action in real time! When you refresh your app you will see the data appear in the console window.
redis-cli monitor
Sample Output for Sessions using tj/connect-redis
1538704759.924701 [0 unix:/tmp/redis.sock] "expire" "sess:F9x-YgbgXu1g7RG8tFlkwY3RV0JzHgCh" "3600"
1538704759.131285 [0 unix:/tmp/redis.sock] "get" "sess:F9x-YgbgXu1g7RG8tFlkwY3RV0JzHgCh"
1538704787.179318 [0 unix:/tmp/redis.sock] "set" "sess:Hl3LPbOBdKO44SG4zQHFn2gfdiWTwzWW" "{\"cookie\":{\"originalMaxAge\":3600000,\"expires\":\"2018-10-05T02:59:47.178Z\",\"secure\":true,\"httpOnly\":true,\"domain\":\".indospace.io\",\"path\":\"/\"},\"path\":\"/\",\"userAgent\":{\"family\":\"NewRelicPingerBot\",\"major\":\"1\",\"minor\":\"0\",\"patch\":\"0\",\"device\":{\"family\":\"Other\",\"major\":\"0\",\"minor\":\"0\",\"patch\":\"0\"},\"os\":{\"family\":\"Other\",\"major\":\"0\",\"minor\":\"0\",\"patch\":\"0\"}},\"ip\":\"184.73.237.85\",\"page_not_found_count\":0,\"city\":\"Ashburn\",\"state\":\"VA\",\"city_state\":\"Ashburn, VA\",\"zip\":\"20149\",\"latitude\":39.0481,\"longitude\":-77.4728,\"country\":\"US\"}" "EX" "3599"
1538704787.179318 [0 unix:/tmp/redis.sock] "set" "sess:Hl3LPbOBdKO44SG4zQHFn2gfdiWTwzWW" "{\"cookie\":{\"originalMaxAge\":3600000,\"expires\":\"2018-10-05T02:59:47.178Z\",\"secure\":true,\"httpOnly\":true,\"domain\":\".indospace.io\",\"path\":\"/\"},\"path\":\"/\",\"userAgent\":{\"family\":\"NewRelicPingerBot\",\"major\":\"1\",\"minor\":\"0\",\"patch\":\"0\",\"device\":{\"family\":\"Other\",\"major\":\"0\",\"minor\":\"0\",\"patch\":\"0\"},\"os\":{\"family\":\"Other\",\"major\":\"0\",\"minor\":\"0\",\"patch\":\"0\"}},\"ip\":\"184.73.237.85\",\"page_not_found_count\":0,\"city\":\"Ashburn\",\"state\":\"VA\",\"city_state\":\"Ashburn, VA\",\"zip\":\"20149\",\"latitude\":39.0481,\"longitude\":-77.4728,\"country\":\"US\"}" "EX" "3599"

Node.js + express.js + passport.js : stay authenticated between server restart

I use passport.js to handle auth on my nodejs + express.js application. I setup a LocalStrategy to take users from mongodb
My problems is that users have to re-authenticate when I restart my node server. This is a problem as I am actively developing it and don't wan't to login at every restart... (+ I use node supervisor)
Here is my app setup :
app.configure(function(){
app.use('/static', express.static(__dirname + '/static'));
app.use(express.bodyParser());
app.use(express.methodOverride());
app.use(express.cookieParser());
app.use(express.session({secret:'something'}));
app.use(passport.initialize());
app.use(passport.session());
app.use(app.router);
});
And session serializing setup :
passport.serializeUser(function(user, done) {
done(null, user.email);
});
passport.deserializeUser(function(email, done) {
User.findOne({email:email}, function(err, user) {
done(err, user);
});
});
I tried the solution given on a blog (removed the link as it does not exist any more) using connect-mongodb without success
app.use(express.session({
secret:'something else',
cookie: {maxAge: 60000 * 60 * 24 * 30}, // 30 days
store: MongoDBStore({
db: mongoose.connection.db
})
}));
EDIT additional problem : only one connection should be made (use of one connexion limited mongohq free service)
EDIT 2 solution (as an edition as I my reputation is to low to answer my question by now
Here is the solution I finally found, using mongoose initiated connection
app.use(express.session({
secret:'awesome unicorns',
maxAge: new Date(Date.now() + 3600000),
store: new MongoStore(
{db:mongoose.connection.db},
function(err){
console.log(err || 'connect-mongodb setup ok');
})
}));
There's an opensource called connect-mongo that does exactly what you need - persists the session data in mongodb
usage example (with a reuse of mongoose opened connection) :
var session = require('express-session');
var MongoStore = require('connect-mongo')(session);
var mongoose = require('mongoose');
mongoose.connect('mongodb://localhost/sess');
app.use(express.session({
secret:'secret',
maxAge: new Date(Date.now() + 3600000),
store: new MongoStore(
// Following lines of code doesn't work
// with the connect-mongo version 1.2.1(2016-06-20).
// {db:mongoose.connection.db},
// function(err){
// console.log(err || 'connect-mongodb setup ok');
// }
{mongooseConnection:mongoose.connection}
)
}));
you can read more about it here: https://github.com/kcbanner/connect-mongo
i use connect-mongo like so:
var MongoStore = require('connect-mongo');
var sess_conf = {
db: {
db: mydb,
host: localhost,
collection: 'usersessions' // optional, default: sessions
},
secret: 'ioudrhgowiehgio'
};
app.use(express.session({
secret: sess_conf.secret,
maxAge: new Date(Date.now() + 3600000),
store: new MongoStore(sess_conf.db)
}));
[...]
// Initialize Passport! Also use passport.session() middleware, to support
// persistent login sessions (recommended).
app.use(passport.initialize());
app.use(passport.session());
This is because you use MemoryStore (default) for sessions. Look at this code from memory.js (part of Connect framework):
var MemoryStore = module.exports = function MemoryStore() {
this.sessions = {};
};
and this snippet from session.js (Express)
function session(options){
/* some code */
, store = options.store || new MemoryStore
/* some code */
}
Now you should understand that every server restart resets the MemoryStore. In order to keep the data you have to use some other session store. You can even write your own (shouldn't be too difficult), although Redis (see this library) might be a good choice (and it is well supported by Express).
// EDIT
According to the Connect documentation it is enough for you if you implement get, set and destroy methods. The following code should work:
customStore = {
get : function(sid, callback) {
// custom code, for example calling MongoDb
},
set : function(sid, session, callback) {
// custom code
},
destroy : function(sid, callback) {
// custom code
}
}
app.use(express.session({
store: customStore
}));
You just need to implement calling MongoDb (or any other Db although I still recommend using nonpermament one like Redis) for storing session data. Also read the source code of other implementations to grab the idea.
This is probably obvious to experienced node users but it caught me out:
You need to configure the node session - e.g.
app.use(session({secret: "this_is_secret", store: ...}));
before initializing the passport session - e.g.
app.use(passport.initialize());
app.use(passport.session());
If you call passport.session() first it won't work (and it won't warn you). I thought the problem was with the serialize/deserialize user functions and wasted hours.
I'm using mongoose, I tried the code presented in the answers above and it didn't work for me. I got this error when I did:
Error: db object already connecting, open cannot be called multiple times
However, this works for me:
app.use(express.session({
secret:'secret',
maxAge: new Date(Date.now() + 3600000),
store: new MongoStore({mongoose_connection:mongoose.connection})
}))
Note: If you don't have MongoStore for whatever reason, you need to do:
npm install connect-mongo --save
then:
var MongoStore = require('connect-mongo')(express)
What I ended up doing:
var expressSession = require('express-session');
var redisClient = require('redis').createClient();
var RedisStore = require('connect-redis')(expressSession);
...
app.use(expressSession({
resave: true,
saveUninitialized: true,
key: config.session.key,
secret: config.session.secret,
store: new RedisStore({
client: redisClient,
host: config.db.host,
port: config.db.port,
prefix: 'my-app_',
disableTTL: true
})
}));
Works for me.
You need to change the store you are using for your sessions. The default one 'MemoryStore' does not continue to store the session when you're application stops. Check out express-session on github to find out more about what other stores there are like the mongo one. (Can't remember the name)

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