Simple DevOps Project: Deploying a Node.js Application on a Nginx Server

Introduction

DevOps, a combination of development and operations, is a practice that aims to streamline the software development process by integrating various tools and technologies. In this blog post, I will guide you through a simple DevOps project that involves deploying a Node.js application on an Nginx server.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, make sure you have the following:

• A Linux-based server with Nginx installed

• Node.js and npm (Node Package Manager) installed on your local machine

• A basic understanding of Linux commands

Setting up Your Node.js Application

Before you begin deploying, you need to have a Node.js application. Here's a simple "Hello World" application:

To Install the nodejs, npm & run the application, you would use the following command:

Installing PM2 to Manage Your Application

PM2 is a process manager for Node.js applications. It will help you keep your app alive and manage it without downtime.

Install PM2 globally using npm:

Start your application with PM2:

Installing Nginx

Install Nginx using your operating system’s package manager. For example, on Ubuntu:

Configuring Nginx as a Reverse Proxy

Configure Nginx to forward requests to your Node.js application. Edit the default Nginx configuration file:

Add the following server block inside the http block:

Replace example.com with your domain name or IP address.

Restarting Nginx

After saving the configuration file, restart Nginx to apply the changes:

Securing Nginx with Let's Encrypt (Optional)

For production, you should secure your application using SSL/TLS. Let's Encrypt provides free certificates:

Install Certbot and its Nginx plugin:

Obtain and install a certificate:

Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the setup.

Verifying the Deployment

Now you can verify that your application is accessible through the browser by visiting http://example.com. You should see the "Hello World" message served through Nginx.

Monitoring and Logs

Check the status of your Node.js application with PM2:

For logs:

Conclusion

You have now successfully deployed a Node.js application using Nginx as a reverse proxy. Your application is now more robust, thanks to PM2, and secure if you opted to set up SSL/TLS with Let's Encrypt. Remember to replace the sample code and domain names with your actual application code and domain information.

Happy Reading!!