How to set up an Nginx server block (virtual host)?
To set up an Nginx server block, first understand its structure using the server directive with settings like listen, server_name, and location; next, create a directory structure for your site such as /var/www/example.com/html and set proper permissions; then enable the server block by creating a symbolic link from sites-available to sites-enabled and test configuration with nginx -t before reloading Nginx; finally, troubleshoot issues like port conflicts, incorrect root paths, multiple matching server blocks, missing index files, browser caching, or local DNS setup. Following these steps ensures smooth deployment of multiple websites on one server.
Setting up an Nginx server block (also known as a virtual host in Apache terms) is a common task when hosting multiple websites on a single server. It allows you to serve different content based on the domain name requested by the client. The process is straightforward once you understand how Nginx interprets configuration files.
1. Understand the Basic Structure of a Server Block
A server block in Nginx is defined using the server directive inside the main config file or in separate files under /etc/nginx/sites-available/. You can think of it like a container that tells Nginx how to respond to requests for a specific domain.
Here’s a basic skeleton:
server {
listen 80;
server_name example.com www.example.com;
location / {
root /var/www/example.com/html;
index index.html;
try_files $uri $uri/ =404;
}
}listendefines which port this server block listens on.server_nameis the domain(s) this block responds to.location /sets how the root request should be handled — where to find files, what to do if they're missing, etc.
You can add more directives depending on your needs, like handling PHP files, setting up redirects, or configuring SSL later.
2. Create the Directory Structure for Your Site
Before setting up the server block, make sure you have a directory for your site's files. A typical setup looks like:
/var/www/example.com/
└── html/
└── index.htmlYou can create this with:
sudo mkdir -p /var/www/example.com/html
Then place your HTML files inside the html folder. This keeps things organized, especially if you manage multiple domains.
Also, ensure the permissions are correct so Nginx can read the files:
sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/example.com sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www
3. Enable the Server Block and Test Configuration
Once the config file is ready, here’s what to do next:
- Save the server block in
/etc/nginx/sites-available/example.com. - Create a symbolic link to enable it:
sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/example.com /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/
This makes Nginx aware of the new site.
After that, test your configuration for syntax errors:
sudo nginx -t
If everything looks good, reload Nginx to apply the changes:
sudo systemctl reload nginx
Now, if your DNS points example.com to your server IP, you should see your website live.
4. Handle Common Issues and Gotchas
Even if you follow all steps, sometimes things don’t work right away. Here are some common issues and how to fix them:
- Port conflicts: Make sure no other service is using port 80 (e.g., Apache).
-
Wrong root path: Double-check the
rootdirective matches where your files are. -
Multiple server blocks matching the same domain: Nginx uses the first match alphabetically unless you specify
default_serverinlisten. -
Missing index file: If
index.htmldoesn’t exist, you’ll get a 403 error. - Caching issues in browser: Try clearing cache or testing from a private window.
Also, keep in mind that if you’re testing locally, you may need to edit your local machine’s hosts file to point example.com to your server’s IP address.
That’s basically it. Once you’ve got one working, adding more sites becomes a matter of copying the structure and tweaking the domain and paths. Not too bad once you know where everything fits.
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