Web Server Setup & Management

Part 1: Introduction to Web Servers

Web Fundamentals Web Server Management

This article provides a comprehensive overview of web servers, including their definition, features, and how they work. The client-server model is explained in detail, highlighting the role of a web server in this process. Popular web servers like NGINX and Apache are discussed, along with Linux servers' demand due to their reliability and adaptability. Overall, this article covers everything one needs to know about web servers when selecting the right one for their website's requirements.

Last updated: June 22nd 2023
Part 2: The Difference Between HTTP and HTTPS

Web Fundamentals Web Server Management

This article provides an in-depth explanation of HTTP and HTTPS, including how they work and their benefits. HTTP is the foundation for communication between computing systems, while HTTPS safeguards data transmission using digital security protocols with cryptographic keys for encryption. The article explains how to get an SSL certificate and why HTTPS is preferred over HTTP due to its authority, conversions, performance advantages, and improved search engine optimization. Overall this article helps readers understand the importance of secure connections when accessing websites on the internet.

Last updated: July 19th 2023
Part 3: Understanding HTTP Status Codes and Their Meanings

Web Fundamentals

HTTP status codes are three-digit codes that act as a communication channel between the server and your browser, giving you insight into the type of response you're receiving. There are five classifications of HTTP status codes: 1xx - Informative, 2xx - Success, 3xx - Redirection, 4xx - Client error, and 5xx - Server error. By understanding these codes, website owners can quickly identify and troubleshoot issues to ensure their site remains functional and optimized for search engines.

Last updated: July 19th 2023
Part 4: Typical Software You Need on Your Linux Web Server

Web Fundamentals Web Server Management

This article highlights the essential software that should be installed on a Linux server, including web servers, database servers, file servers, web application servers, security software and monitoring software. The choice of specific tools depends on individual needs and requirements to ensure optimal performance and security. Regular updates are also crucial for maintaining efficiency and stability.

Last updated: July 19th 2023
Part 5: Understanding The Lifecycle of An HTTP Request

Web Fundamentals Web Server Management

In order to comprehend how an HTTP request is processed, it's important to familiarize yourself with its various components. This article will guide you through the constituent elements of an HTTP request while shedding light on the steps involved in its lifecycle. Additionally, it will delve into popular HTTP request methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE—explaining their functionalities and offering best practice recommendations. By gaining a deeper understanding of these aspects, developers can build robust websites or applications that deliver optimal performance while maintaining security protocols throughout the process. Let's dive into exploring the fascinating world behind every successful exchange between clients and servers!

Last updated: September 4th 2023
Part 6: NGINX: A Practical Overview for Web Developers

nginx Web Fundamentals Web Server Management

NGINX is a widely-used web server and reverse proxy known for its dependability, scalability, and versatility. This text provides an introduction to NGINX by explaining its origins, architecture, key features, and benefits such as performance optimization, scalability through load balancing, and stability with customizable configurations. It explores use cases like serving static content, acting as a reverse proxy or load balancer, streaming media files, and optimizing email servers. The installation process on Ubuntu/Debian-based systems is also outlined. Overall, it highlights how NGINX enhances website performance while providing secure functionality for diverse applications.

Last updated: September 4th 2023
Part 7: A Practical Guide to Setting Up SSL With Nginx

nginx ssl Web Fundamentals Web Server Management

This article provides an overview of SSL certificates and their importance in securing websites. It explains SSL encryption, its advantages such as data security and authentication, improved search engine rankings, and protection against phishing attacks. The process of generating a self-signed SSL certificate for NGINX is outlined, along with the limitations of self-signed certificates. It introduces Certificate Authorities (CAs) that issue trusted digital certificates and emphasizes Let's Encrypt as a free open CA integrated with Certbot for automated obtaining and renewal of SSL/TLS certificates. Instructions on installing Certbot and obtaining an SSL certificate are provided.

Last updated: September 4th 2023
Part 8: Nginx Gateway: How It Delivers Your Requests to Backend for Processing

nginx Web Fundamentals Web Server Management

NGINX is a powerful web server that can act as a gateway or proxy, serving as an intermediary between clients and servers. It offers various advantages such as performance optimization, security measures, scalability, and essential features like HTTP/2 support, Gzip compression, and SSL/TLS encryption. As a reverse proxy, NGINX enhances the speed and efficiency of web applications by caching frequently accessed content and distributing requests across multiple servers. It also plays a crucial role in protecting web applications from malicious attacks by implementing strict security protocols and screening incoming traffic.

Last updated: September 4th 2023
Part 9: How Nginx Maps Files to Domains and Creates Pretty URLs

nginx Web Fundamentals Web Server Management

Explaining the mechanism of NGINX mapping and demystifying pretty URLs

Last updated: September 8th 2023
Part 10: How to Set-up PHP with FastCGI in Nginx

nginx Web Fundamentals webserver

Offload processing PHP pages to PHP-FPM using FastCGI in Nginx

Last updated: September 8th 2023
Part 11: A Step-by-Step Guide to Configure Nginx Logs

nginx configuration Web Server Management

An article on how to set up logging in Nginx

Last updated: September 15th 2023

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