Nginx is a powerful, open-source web server that’s widely used for hosting websites, managing load balancing, and serving as a reverse proxy. It’s known for its speed and scalability, making it an excellent choice for web applications. This guide will walk you through how to install and configure Nginx on Ubuntu.

Step 1: Update the Package Repository

Before installing any software, it’s always a good idea to ensure your package list is up to date.

Step 1.1: Open Terminal

Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open the terminal.

Step 1.2: Update Package List

Run the following command to update the package list:

sudo apt update

Step 2: Install Nginx

Now, we’ll install Nginx on your system.

Step 2.1: Install Nginx

To install Nginx, run:

sudo apt install nginx

Step 2.2: Verify Installation

After installation, check if Nginx is running by using:

sudo systemctl status nginx

You should see that Nginx is active (running).

Step 3: Adjust Firewall Settings

If your firewall is enabled, you’ll need to allow Nginx to receive HTTP and HTTPS traffic.

Step 3.1: Allow Nginx Through the Firewall

Run the following command to allow web traffic through the firewall:

sudo ufw allow 'Nginx Full'

Step 3.2: Verify Firewall Status

Check the status of UFW to confirm the rules:

sudo ufw status

Step 4: Test Nginx Installation

Let’s ensure that Nginx is properly installed by accessing its default welcome page.

Step 4.1: Access Nginx in a Web Browser

Open a web browser and go to the following URL:

• Local Machine: If you’re installing Nginx on your local machine, navigate to http://localhost.
• Remote Server: If Nginx is installed on a remote server, visit http://your_server_ip.

You should see the Nginx Welcome page, which confirms that Nginx is up and running.

Additional Configuration (Optional)

If you want to host multiple websites or applications on the same server, you can configure Nginx using server blocks (similar to virtual hosts in Apache).

Step 5: Configure Server Blocks

Step 5.1: Create a New Server Block

Create a new configuration file for your domain (replace example.com with your actual domain name):

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

Add the following content to the file:

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name example.com www.example.com;

    root /var/www/example.com/html;
    index index.html index.htm;

    location / {
        try_files $uri $uri/ =404;
    }
}

Step 5.2: Enable the Server Block

Create a symbolic link to enable the server block:

sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/example.com /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/

Step 5.3: Test Nginx Configuration

Before restarting Nginx, test the configuration for any syntax errors:

sudo nginx -t

Step 5.4: Restart Nginx

Finally, restart Nginx to apply the changes:

sudo systemctl restart nginx

Conclusion

You have successfully installed and configured Nginx on your Ubuntu system! You can now start using it to host websites and manage web applications. For more advanced configurations, refer to the official Nginx documentation.

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