How to Install and Use Nginx as a Web Server

How to Install and Use Nginx as a Web Server

Nginx is a high-performance web server known for its speed, scalability, and ability to handle concurrent connections efficiently. This step-by-step guide will help you install and configure Nginx on your dedicated server from QuickServers.net.

Step 1: Update Your Server

Before installing any software, ensure your server is up to date to prevent compatibility issues.

• For Ubuntu/Debian:

  sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y  
  

• For CentOS/RHEL:

  sudo yum update -y  
  

Step 2: Install Nginx

• Install Nginx:

  • For Ubuntu/Debian:

    sudo apt install nginx -y  
    

  • For CentOS/RHEL:

    sudo yum install nginx -y  
    

• Start and enable Nginx:

  • For Ubuntu/Debian:

    sudo systemctl start nginx  
    sudo systemctl enable nginx  
    

  • For CentOS/RHEL:

    sudo systemctl start nginx  
    sudo systemctl enable nginx  
    

Step 3: Verify Nginx Installation

• Check Nginx's status to ensure it's running:

  sudo systemctl status nginx  
  

• Open your web browser and visit your server’s IP address (e.g., http://your-server-ip). You should see the default Nginx welcome page.

Step 4: Configure Your Website Directory

• Create a directory for your website:

  sudo mkdir -p /var/www/yourdomain.com/html  
  

• Assign ownership to your user:

  sudo chown -R $USER:$USER /var/www/yourdomain.com/html  
  

• Set appropriate permissions:

  sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/yourdomain.com  
  

• Create an index.html file as a test:

  echo "<h1>Welcome to yourdomain.com</h1>" | sudo tee /var/www/yourdomain.com/html/index.html  
  

Step 5: Configure Nginx Server Blocks

• Create a new configuration file for your domain:

  • For Ubuntu/Debian:

    sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/yourdomain.com  
    

  • For CentOS/RHEL:

    sudo nano /etc/nginx/conf.d/yourdomain.com.conf  
    

• Add the following configuration (replace yourdomain.com with your actual domain name):

  server {  
      listen 80;  
      server_name yourdomain.com www.yourdomain.com;  
      root /var/www/yourdomain.com/html;  
      index index.html;  
  
      location / {  
          try_files $uri $uri/ =404;  
      }  
  
      error_page 404 /404.html;  
  }  
  

• Save and exit the editor.

• Enable the configuration:

  • For Ubuntu/Debian:
    Link the file to the sites-enabled directory:

    sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/yourdomain.com /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/  
    sudo nginx -t  # Test the configuration  
    

  • For CentOS/RHEL, simply test the configuration:

    sudo nginx -t  
    

• Reload Nginx to apply the changes:

  sudo systemctl reload nginx  
  

Step 6: Configure DNS Records

• Log in to your domain registrar’s control panel.
• Add an A record for your domain pointing to your server's IP address.
• Allow time for DNS propagation (can take up to 24 hours).

Step 7: Secure Your Site with SSL

• Install Certbot for free SSL certificates:

  • For Ubuntu/Debian:

    sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginx -y  
    

  • For CentOS/RHEL:

    sudo yum install certbot python3-certbot-nginx -y  
    

• Obtain an SSL certificate:

  sudo certbot --nginx  
  

• Verify that HTTPS is working by visiting https://yourdomain.com.

Step 8: Monitor Nginx Performance

Regularly monitor Nginx's performance to ensure your server operates optimally:

• Check Nginx access logs:

  sudo tail -f /var/log/nginx/access.log  
  

• Check Nginx error logs:

  sudo tail -f /var/log/nginx/error.log  
  

By following this guide, you’ll have a fully functional Nginx web server hosting your domain. If you encounter any issues, the QuickServers.net support team is available to assist you.