Ubuntu Server 18.10 Install Nginx: A Detailed Guide

🚀 Introduction

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to install Nginx on Ubuntu Server 18.10. This article is aimed at beginners who want to deploy a web server on their Ubuntu machine and get started with Nginx.

Before we dive into the installation process, let’s briefly discuss what Nginx is and why it’s a popular choice for web servers.

Nginx is a free, open-source web server software that can be used as a reverse proxy, load balancer, and HTTP cache. It’s designed to handle high traffic websites efficiently and reliably. Nginx is known for its speed, stability, and security features, making it a popular choice for both small and large-scale web applications.

So, without further ado, let’s get started with the installation process.

📝 Prerequisites

Before we can install Nginx on Ubuntu Server 18.10, we need to make sure that we have the following prerequisites:

Operating System	Ubuntu Server 18.10 or later
User Account	Sudo privileges or root access
Network Connection	Stable internet connection

🛠️ Installation Process

Step 1: Update the Package List

Before we can install any package on our Ubuntu machine, we need to update the package list to ensure that we get the latest version of the package.

To update the package list, open the terminal and type the following command:

sudo apt-get update

Step 2: Install Nginx

Once we have updated the package list, we can proceed with the installation of Nginx.

To install Nginx, type the following command in the terminal:

sudo apt-get install nginx

This command will install Nginx along with its dependencies. During the installation process, you will be prompted to confirm the installation and enter your password.

Step 3: Verify the Installation

After the installation is complete, we can verify that Nginx is installed and running by checking its status.

To check the status of Nginx, type the following command in the terminal:

sudo systemctl status nginx

If Nginx is running, you should see a message indicating that the service is active and running. If Nginx is not running, you can start it using the following command:

sudo systemctl start nginx

Step 4: Configure Firewall

By default, Ubuntu Server 18.10 comes with a firewall program called UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) enabled. We need to allow traffic to Nginx through the firewall to enable external access to our web server.

To allow traffic to Nginx, type the following command in the terminal:

sudo ufw allow 'Nginx HTTP'

This command will allow HTTP traffic to Nginx. If you want to allow HTTPS traffic as well, you can use the following command:

sudo ufw allow 'Nginx HTTPS'

👍 Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

Nginx has several advantages that make it a popular choice for web servers:

• High Performance: Nginx is designed to handle high traffic websites efficiently and reliably.
• Stability: Nginx is known for its stability and can handle a large number of concurrent connections without affecting performance.
• Security: Nginx has several security features that make it a secure choice for web servers.
• Load Balancing: Nginx can be used as a load balancer to distribute traffic across multiple servers.

Disadvantages

While Nginx has several advantages, it also has a few disadvantages:

• Complex Configuration: Nginx has a steep learning curve, and configuring it can be complex for beginners.
• Not Suitable for Dynamic Content: Nginx is primarily designed for serving static content and might not be suitable for applications that require dynamic content.

🙋 Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I install Nginx on Windows?

No, Nginx is primarily designed for Unix-based operating systems and might not work on Windows.

2. How do I start Nginx?

You can start Nginx using the following command:

sudo systemctl start nginx

3. How do I stop Nginx?

You can stop Nginx using the following command:

sudo systemctl stop nginx

4. How do I restart Nginx?

You can restart Nginx using the following command:

sudo systemctl restart nginx

5. How do I check the Nginx configuration?

You can check the Nginx configuration using the following command:

sudo nginx -t

6. How do I reload the Nginx configuration?

You can reload the Nginx configuration without restarting the server using the following command:

sudo systemctl reload nginx

7. How do I uninstall Nginx?

You can uninstall Nginx using the following command:

sudo apt-get remove nginx

8. What is the default Nginx configuration file?

The default Nginx configuration file is located at /etc/nginx/nginx.conf.

9. How do I add a new server block in Nginx?

You can add a new server block in Nginx by creating a new configuration file in the /etc/nginx/sites-available directory and linking it to the /etc/nginx/sites-enabled directory.

10. How do I configure SSL/TLS in Nginx?

You can configure SSL/TLS in Nginx by creating an SSL certificate and configuring Nginx to use it in the server block.

11. How do I configure Nginx as a reverse proxy?

You can configure Nginx as a reverse proxy by creating a new server block in the Nginx configuration file and configuring the proxy_pass directive to forward requests to the upstream server.

12. How do I configure Nginx as a load balancer?

You can configure Nginx as a load balancer by creating a new server block in the Nginx configuration file and configuring the upstream servers to distribute traffic across them.

13. How do I troubleshoot Nginx errors?

You can troubleshoot Nginx errors by checking the Nginx error log located at /var/log/nginx/error.log.

🤝 Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Nginx on Ubuntu Server 18.10. Nginx is a powerful web server that can handle high traffic websites efficiently and reliably.

While Nginx has a steep learning curve, it’s worth investing the time to learn it as it has several advantages such as high performance, stability, and security features. However, it might not be suitable for applications that require dynamic content.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to leave a comment below.

❗ Closing/Disclaimer

This article is intended to be a guide for informational purposes only. We are not responsible for any damages or issues that may arise from following the instructions in this article. Use at your own risk.

We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the article or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the article for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

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