Install Nginx Source Code Not Starting After Server Reboot


Install Nginx Source Code Not Starting After Server Reboot

What is Nginx?

Nginx (“engine x”) is an open source, high-performance web server software created by Igor Sysoev back in 2002. It is known for its stability, simplicity, and low resource consumption. It is used by some of the largest websites on the Internet including Facebook, Netflix, and WordPress. Nginx is often used as a reverse proxy server for other web servers such as Apache, which can improve the performance of web applications by offloading static content and resource intensive requests.

Why Should I Install Nginx source code?

Installing Nginx from source code gives you the flexibility to customize Nginx settings and compile in any additional modules. Nginx source code packages are maintained by Nginx Inc and the Nginx community, so installing and updating from source will always keep you up to date with the latest features and bug fixes.

How To Install Nginx Source Code?

Installing Nginx from source is a relatively easy process. First, you’ll need to download and extract the source code by running the following commands:

wget http://nginx.org/download/nginx-VERSION.tar.gz
tar xzvf nginx-VERSION.tar.gz
cd nginx-VERSION

Once the source code has been extracted, you’ll need to configure it for your system. Run the following command to configure the build options and specify your desired modules:

./configure --with-http_ssl_module --with-http_gzip_static_module

The configure command will scan your system and generate the build script. You can then build the source code by running the following command:

make

This will generate the Nginx binary which can then be installed to your system. Run the following command to install:

make install

How to Use Nginx Source Code?

Once Nginx has been installed from source code, you can begin to configure the server. All configuration is performed in the nginx.conf file which is located in the /etc/nginx/ folder. This file contains a variety of settings which can be used to customize Nginx for your needs. The most common settings include setting up virtual hosts, SSL settings, and setting the server root.

Once you’ve configured the nginx.conf file to your liking, you can start the Nginx server by running the following command:

/usr/local/nginx/sbin/nginx

What Happens After Server Reboot?

After a server reboot, Nginx will not be automatically started. This is because Nginx needs to be started manually in order to read and apply any configuration changes made since the last time it was started. To start Nginx, simply run the command from above as root.

How Can I Automate Nginx On Server Reboot?

Most Linux distributions include tools for managing and controlling services. There are two tools which can be used to automate Nginx on server reboot, Systemd and Upstart. To automate Nginx on server reboot with Systemd, enter the following command:

systemctl enable nginx

To automate Nginx on server reboot with Upstart, enter the following command:

update-rc.d nginx defaults 

FAQs

Q: How do I update Nginx?

A: To update Nginx, you will need to download and extract the source code for the latest version and compile it. This can then be installed and configured as per the instructions above.

Q: How do I configure a virtual host in Nginx?

A: To configure a virtual host in Nginx, you will need to add a ‘server block’ for each domain. This can be done in the ‘server’ section of the nginx.conf file.

Q: How do I enable HTTPS in Nginx?

A: You will need to generate a private key and certificate signing request (CSR) from a Certificate Authority (CA). You will then need to add the generated files to the nginx.conf file and configure the ‘listen’ and ‘ssl’ directives in the ‘server’ section.

Conclusion

Installing Nginx from source is a great way to take advantage of its performance and customization options. After installation, you’ll need to start Nginx manually or automate it for server reboots. Be sure to follow the above guide when customizing the nginx.conf file to ensure your server is set up correctly.

Thank you for reading this article. If you would like to learn more, be sure to check out the other tutorials available here.

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