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Setting Up Your EMQX Account

Welcome to your first setup step! Before we configure AWS or Stripe, we'll set up EMQX - the messaging system that will help your arcade cabinet communicate. Think of it like a super-fast mail service for your arcade! 📬

What is EMQX? 🤔

EMQX is a messaging system that will:

  • Send messages when someone pays
  • Tell games when to start
  • Signal when games are over
  • Handle all communication securely

Why Start with EMQX?

We're setting up EMQX first because:

  • It's the quickest to set up
  • We'll need it to test other components
  • It helps you understand how the parts connect
  • The free tier is perfect for learning

Before You Start 📋

You'll need:

  • An email address
  • About 10-15 minutes
  • A way to save important information

Keep Notes

Create a document to save these important details:

  • Broker URL
  • Port numbers
  • Username
  • Password

Setting Up Your Account 🔑

1. Create Your Account

  1. Visit https://accounts.emqx.com/signup
  2. Enter your email address
  3. Create a strong password
  4. Verify your email

2. Create a Deployment

  1. Log into EMQX Cloud Console
  2. Click "Create Deployment"
  3. Choose "Serverless" (Free tier)
  4. Pick a name (like "ArcadeMessenger")

Free Tier Perfect for Learning

You get plenty for your arcade system:

  • 1 million messages per month
  • 1 GB traffic per month
  • Multiple cabinet support
  • No credit card required!

Essential Configuration ⚙

1. Get Your Connection Details

After deployment is ready:

  1. Save your Broker URL

  2. Note these Port Numbers:

  3. 8883 - For secure MQTT (we'll use this one)

  4. 1883 - For standard MQTT
  5. 8083 - For WebSocket

2. Set Up Authentication

  1. Go to "Authentication" in sidebar
  2. Click "Create"

  3. Create and save:

  4. Username (like "arcade-user")

  5. Strong password

Keep These Safe!

Save your credentials securely - you'll need them for AWS setup next!

Quick Test 🧪

Let's make sure everything works! We'll use the Mosquitto CLI tool:

# Install from: https://mosquitto.org/download/

# Test subscribing to arcade topics
mosquitto_sub -h your-broker.emqx.cloud -p 8883 ^
  -t "arcade/machine/+/coinpulse" ^
  --cafile emqx.crt ^
  -u "your-username" -P "your-password"

# Install Mosquitto
brew install mosquitto

# Test subscribing to arcade topics
mosquitto_sub -h your-broker.emqx.cloud -p 8883 \
  -t "arcade/machine/+/coinpulse" \
  --cafile emqx.crt \
  -u "your-username" -P "your-password"

# Install Mosquitto
sudo apt-get install mosquitto-clients

# Test subscribing to arcade topics
mosquitto_sub -h your-broker.emqx.cloud -p 8883 \
  -t "arcade/machine/+/coinpulse" \
  --cafile emqx.crt \
  -u "your-username" -P "your-password"

Don't worry if this test doesn't work yet!

We still need to set up security certificates. We'll do that during AWS setup.

Understanding the Free Tier 💰

Your free account includes:

  • 1 million session minutes/month
  • 1 GB traffic/month
  • Messages up to 1 MB each
  • 1000 message queue length
  • 2-hour inactive session timeout

Perfect for Learning

These limits are way more than enough for:

  • Learning the system
  • Testing your cabinet
  • Initial deployment

What You've Accomplished 🏆

You've now got:

  1. ✅ An EMQX Cloud account
  2. ✅ A serverless deployment
  3. ✅ Your broker URL and ports
  4. ✅ Authentication credentials

Next Steps ▶

Now that your messaging system is ready:

  1. Keep your credentials handy
  2. Double-check your broker URL
  3. Get ready to set up AWS!

Continue to AWS Setup →

Quick Troubleshooting 🔧

Having issues?

Can't Create Account

  • Check your email for verification
  • Try a different browser
  • Clear browser cache

Deployment Failed

  • Make sure you selected "Serverless"
  • Try a different region
  • Check your email is verified

Need Help?