Skip to main content

How to install Nginx on Ubuntu VPS

Nginx is a lightweight web server used to host websites, APIs and act as a reverse proxy. See how to install and test Nginx on an Ubuntu VPS.

Requirements​

  • Ubuntu VPS;
  • root or sudo access;
  • port 80 available;
  • Public IP of the VPS.
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

1. Install Nginx​

sudo apt install -y nginx
sudo systemctl enable --now nginx
sudo systemctl status nginx

Press q to exit the status.

2. Release the firewall​

sudo ufw app list
sudo ufw allow "Nginx Full"
sudo ufw status

If UFW is not already active, confirm that OpenSSH is enabled before enabling it.

3. Test the server​

On VPS:

curl http://localhost

In the browser:

http://IP_DA_VPS

The default page indicates that the installation is complete.

4. Publish a page​

The default directory is /var/www/html:

sudo nano /var/www/html/index.html

Add:

<!doctype html>
<html lang="pt-BR">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <title>Minha VPS com Nginx</title>
</head>
<body>
  <h1>Nginx instalado com sucesso!</h1>
</body>
</html>

5. Get to know the files​

  • /etc/nginx/nginx.conf: global configuration;
  • /etc/nginx/sites-available/: available sites;
  • /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/: sites enabled;
  • /var/log/nginx/access.log: accesses;
  • /var/log/nginx/error.log: errors;
  • /var/www/html/: default website.

6. Validate before reloading​

sudo nginx -t
sudo systemctl reload nginx

Only reload when the test shows no errors.

How to resolve access failure​

  1. check systemctl status nginx;
  2. confirm port 80 on the firewall;
  3. check the public IP;
  4. see /var/log/nginx/error.log.

Frequently asked questions​

Can Nginx and Apache work together?​

Yes, but they cannot listen to the same port and address. It is common to use Nginx as a reverse proxy.

How to host more than one website?​

Create blocks in sites-available, activate them in sites-enabled and point the domains to the VPS.

How to set HTTPS?​

Point a domain to the VPS and install a TLS certificate. First confirm that the site opens via HTTP.

What is the official reference?​

See How to install nginx in the Ubuntu documentation.

If you need help, open a ticket with Nice Hosting support.