What is Nginx Web Server?
Nginx (pronounced “engine-x”) is a free and open-source, high-performance web server software used to serve web content or pages over the internet. It can also act as a reverse proxy and load balancer.
Originally created to solve the C10K problem (i.e. handling 10,000+ concurrent connections), Nginx is known for its high concurrency, low memory usage, and efficient handling of static content.
In addition to serving web content, Nginx is often used as a reverse proxy, where it acts as an intermediary server between clients and backend servers. It can also be used as a load balancer to distribute traffic between multiple servers, helping to improve the availability and scalability of web applications.
Overall, Nginx is a popular choice for developers and system administrators looking for a high-performance web server that can handle a high volume of traffic and serve content quickly and efficiently.
How to install Nginx Web Server in Ubuntu 20.10
Here are the steps to install Nginx web server on Ubuntu 20.10:
1. Open the terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T on your keyboard.
2. Update the system by running the following command:
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sudo apt update
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3. Install Nginx by running the following command:
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sudo apt install nginx
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4. After the installation is complete, start the Nginx service by running the following command:
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sudo systemctl start nginx
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5. To enable Nginx to start at boot time, run the following command:
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sudo systemctl enable nginx
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6. To check if Nginx is running, open a web browser and enter the IP address of your web server in the address bar. You should see the default Nginx web page.
That’s it! Nginx is now installed and running on your Ubuntu 20.10 system. From here, you can configure Nginx to serve your own web pages or act as a proxy for other web servers.
FAQs:
1. What is Nginx used for?
Nginx is a web server that is commonly used as a reverse proxy, load balancer, and HTTP cache. It can also be used as a web server to serve static content.
2. Is Nginx free to use?
Yes, Nginx is open-source software and is free to use.
3. Can I install Nginx on other operating systems besides Ubuntu?
Yes, Nginx can be installed on a wide range of operating systems including Windows, macOS, and various flavors of Linux.
4. How do I configure Nginx?
Nginx configuration is done through configuration files located in the /etc/nginx directory. The main configuration file is nginx.conf.
5. Can I use Nginx with other web servers?
Yes, Nginx can be configured to work in conjunction with other web servers such as Apache or Tomcat.
Conclusion:
Installing Nginx on Ubuntu 20.10 can be done quickly and easily via the terminal. Once installed, you have a highly powerful and versatile web server that can serve static content or act as a reverse proxy or load balancer. Nginx is a popular choice among developers and system administrators due to its high concurrency, low memory usage, and efficient handling of static content. Its flexibility also allows it to be used in a wide range of applications, making it one of the best web servers available today.
