# Creating new flow instead of using existing one **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [29 December 2021 16:07 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/creating-new-flow-instead-of-using-existing-one/55852 "2021-12-29T16:07:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Maximilian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Maximilian](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Maximilian)\ **Post date:** [29 December 2021 16:07 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/creating-new-flow-instead-of-using-existing-one/55852/1 "2021-12-29T16:07:11Z")
Hello, recently for some reason, when node-red gets started, it finds the flow in the directory, but instead it chooses to create a new flow and use that one instead. Can you help with this issue please? Original version - german Translation by me - might not be 100% accurate Attached you find the information, when i try to start the flow. Thanks in advance & best regards, Maximilian Beck Original: # Willkommen bei Node-RED! 29 Dec 15:44:15 - [info] Node-RED Version: v1.0.4 29 Dec 15:44:15 - [info] Node.js Version: v6.14.4 29 Dec 15:44:15 - [info] OS400 7.1 ppc BE 29 Dec 15:44:17 - [info] Paletten-Nodes werden geladen 29 Dec 15:44:22 - [info] Dashboard version 2.9.5 started at /ui 29 Dec 15:44:22 - [info] Einstellungsdatei: /home/ILS/.node-red/settings.js 29 Dec 15:44:22 - [info] Kontextspeicher: 'default' [module=localfilesystem] 29 Dec 15:44:22 - [info] Benutzerverzeichnis: /home/ILS/.node-red 29 Dec 15:44:22 - [warn] Projekte inaktiviert: editorTheme.projects.enabled=false 29 Dec 15:44:22 - [info] Flow-Datei: /home/ILS/.node-red/flows\_PREYREG.preymesser.de.json 29 Dec 15:44:22 - [info] Neue flow-Datei wird erstellt 29 Dec 15:44:22 - [warn] * * * Die Datei mit den Datenflowberechtigungsnachweisen wird mit einem vom System generierten Schlüssel verschlüsselt. Wenn der vom System generierte Schlüssel aus irgendeinem Grund verloren geht, werden Ihre Berechtigungsnachweise Die Datei kann nicht wiederhergestellt werden. Sie müssen sie löschen und erneut eingeben. Ihre Berechtigungsnachweise. ## Sie sollten Ihren eigenen Schlüssel mit Hilfe der Option 'credentialSecret' in Ihre Einstellungsdatei. Node-RED wird dann Ihre Berechtigungsnachweise erneut verschlüsseln. Datei mit dem ausgewÀhlten Schlüssel beim nÀchsten Deployen einer à nderung verwenden. English - translated by me: # Welcome to Node-RED! 29 Dec 15:44:15 - [info] Node-RED Version: v1.0.4 29 Dec 15:44:15 - [info] Node.js Version: v6.14.4 29 Dec 15:44:15 - [info] OS400 7.1 ppc BE 29 Dec 15:44:17 - [info] Palette-Nodes loading 29 Dec 15:44:22 - [info] Dashboard version 2.9.5 started at /ui 29 Dec 15:44:22 - [info] Settings: /home/ILS/.node-red/settings.js 29 Dec 15:44:22 - [info] Context: 'default' [module=localfilesystem] 29 Dec 15:44:22 - [info] User directory: /home/ILS/.node-red 29 Dec 15:44:22 - [warn] Project inactive: editorTheme.projects.enabled=false 29 Dec 15:44:22 - [info] Flow-file: /home/ILS/.node-red/flows\_PREYREG.preymesser.de.json 29 Dec 15:44:22 - [info] Creating new flow file 29 Dec 15:44:22 - [warn] * * * ## Warning about proof of eligibility on data flow file. . . . ---
**Author:** ![knolleary](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/knolleary/32/3_2.png) [@knolleary](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/knolleary)\ **Post date:** [29 December 2021 16:09 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/creating-new-flow-instead-of-using-existing-one/55852/2 "2021-12-29T16:09:47Z")
By default, Node-RED uses the hostname as part of the flow file name. That can cause problems if your hostname changes for some dns-related reason. The solution is to edit your `settings.js` file (` /home/ILS/.node-red/settings.js`) and set the `flowFile` property to a fixed name (like `flows.json`). ---
**Author:** ![Maximilian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Maximilian](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Maximilian)\ **Post date:** [29 December 2021 16:38 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/creating-new-flow-instead-of-using-existing-one/55852/4 "2021-12-29T16:38:04Z")
Thanks for the fast reply! As the Log above shows, the flow file is already unindependent from the IP-adresse and called "flows\_PREYREG.preymesser.de.json". I implemented it in the settings file now aswell, but the problem remains the same. ---
**Author:** ![knolleary](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/knolleary/32/3_2.png) [@knolleary](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/knolleary)\ **Post date:** [29 December 2021 16:43 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/creating-new-flow-instead-of-using-existing-one/55852/5 "2021-12-29T16:43:27Z")
> [@Maximilian](#): > > , the flow file is already unindependent from the IP-adresse and called "flows\_PREYREG.preymesser.de.json" It uses the **hostname** not IP address. Have you restarted Node-RED after editing the settings file? What flow file name did it log when it started? Does it match what you set in the settings file? ---
**Author:** ![Maximilian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Maximilian](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Maximilian)\ **Post date:** [29 December 2021 16:54 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/creating-new-flow-instead-of-using-existing-one/55852/6 "2021-12-29T16:54:00Z")
Sorry i did overread that an thought you meant IP. Thanks alot, it worked just as you described! I renamed the \*.json into a fixed named and also changed it in the settings file. Now the flow loads just as intended. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/1X/d073cd938eafa2e558d7c2cd59003b3ef4963033.png) [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [27 February 2022 16:54 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/creating-new-flow-instead-of-using-existing-one/55852/7 "2022-02-27T16:54:33Z")
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