Why is Nginx Serving Outdated CSS Files Despite Modifications?

Troubleshooting Persistent Caching in Nginx: Unveiling the True Cause

In the realm of web serving, Nginx holds a prominent position as a high-performance front server. However, when it comes to delivering up-to-date content, caching can sometimes throw a wrench into the works. Users have encountered a frustrating issue where Nginx continues to serve outdated CSS files despite modifications.

The Cache Conundrum

The traditional solution to cache-related woes involves deleting the cache directory at /var/cache/nginx. However, in certain circumstances, this directory may be conspicuously absent. So, what's really going on?

Unveiling the Hidden Culprit

The key to solving this puzzle lies in understanding the intricacies of Nginx's configuration. It turns out that while caching may not be explicitly enabled, the "sendfile" setting can cause similar behavior. Sendfile is employed to transfer data between file descriptors.

Virtualization's Role

When Nginx is run within a virtualized environment, particularly Virtualbox, the sendfile setting becomes problematic. It results in a peculiar malfunction where static files are served using an alternative method.

The Solution: Disabling Sendfile

To rectify the situation, simply disable the sendfile option in Nginx's configuration file (nginx.conf). This will force Nginx to serve static files via a different protocol, ensuring that changes are reflected promptly without any caching hiccups.

Additional Insight

This caching anomaly is linked to a bug in Virtualbox, as documented in ticket 12597. By understanding the underlying mechanism, system administrators can implement the appropriate solution and maintain the smooth flow of up-to-date content.

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