Nginx is a high-performance web server, reverse proxy, and load balancer. These guides cover everything from basic configuration to production-ready setups with SSL, caching, and security hardening.
Getting Started
Installing Nginx
beginnerHow to install Nginx on various Linux distributions and FreeBSD.
Nginx Configuration Basics
beginnerUnderstanding the nginx.conf file structure and basic directives.
Nginx Directory Structure
beginnerUnderstanding the Nginx configuration directory layout and best practices.
Testing Nginx Configuration
beginnerHow to test and validate your Nginx configuration before applying changes.
Core Concepts
Server Blocks (Virtual Hosts)
beginnerConfiguring multiple websites with Nginx server blocks.
Location Blocks
intermediateUnderstanding Nginx location matching and configuration.
Nginx Contexts
beginnerUnderstanding Nginx configuration contexts and their hierarchy.
Nginx Variables
intermediateUsing built-in and custom variables in Nginx configuration.
URL Rewriting
intermediateRewriting and redirecting URLs in Nginx.
Reverse Proxy
Reverse Proxy Basics
intermediateSetting up Nginx as a reverse proxy for backend applications.
Load Balancing
intermediateDistributing traffic across multiple backend servers with Nginx.
Upstream Configuration
intermediateDefining backend server groups for load balancing and proxying.
Health Checks
intermediateMonitoring backend server health and automatic failover.
WebSocket Proxy
intermediateProxying WebSocket connections through Nginx.
SSL/TLS
SSL/TLS Configuration
intermediateConfiguring HTTPS with SSL/TLS certificates in Nginx.
Let's Encrypt with Certbot
beginnerFree SSL certificates with Let's Encrypt and automatic renewal.
SSL/TLS Best Practices
intermediateSecurity best practices for Nginx SSL/TLS configuration.
SSL Certificate Management
intermediateManaging SSL/TLS certificates for Nginx including generation and renewal.
Performance
Caching Configuration
intermediateConfiguring Nginx caching for improved performance.
Gzip Compression
beginnerEnabling and optimizing gzip compression in Nginx.
Connection Optimization
intermediateOptimizing Nginx connection handling for high performance.
Static File Serving
beginnerOptimizing Nginx for serving static files efficiently.
Security
Security Headers
intermediateAdding security headers to protect your Nginx sites.
Rate Limiting
intermediateProtecting your server from abuse with Nginx rate limiting.
Access Control
intermediateRestricting access to your Nginx sites by IP, authentication, and more.
DDoS Protection
advancedProtecting your Nginx server from DDoS attacks.
Recipes
Node.js Application
intermediateComplete Nginx configuration for Node.js/Express applications.
Static Site Hosting
beginnerOptimized Nginx configuration for static websites and SPAs.
WordPress Configuration
intermediateOptimized Nginx configuration for WordPress sites.
PHP-FPM Configuration
intermediateComplete Nginx configuration for PHP applications with PHP-FPM.
Django Application
intermediateNginx configuration for Django applications with Gunicorn/uWSGI.
API Gateway
advancedUsing Nginx as an API gateway with routing, rate limiting, and authentication.
Why Nginx?
- +Performance - Event-driven, non-blocking architecture
- +Low Memory - Handles thousands of connections efficiently
- +Reverse Proxy - Excellent for microservices architecture
- +Load Balancing - Built-in with multiple algorithms
- +SSL Termination - Handles HTTPS efficiently
- +Hot Reload - Config changes without downtime