Ubuntu Linux

Enable Nginx FastCGI on Ubuntu 24.04

Written by

Richard

Feb 20, 2025 Updated Mar 20, 2026 4 min read

You can enable Nginx FastCGI on ubuntu-24-04/" class="sal-link" rel="noopener" target="_blank" data-sal-id="28784">Ubuntu 24.04 by configuring Nginx to pass requests to a FastCGI process manager like PHP-FPM.

FastCGI is a high-performance protocol that allows web servers to communicate with external application servers, often running scripts written in PHP, Python, or other languages, to deliver dynamic content. This is a more efficient alternative to traditional CGI.

Configuring Nginx with FastCGI, specifically using PHP-FPM for PHP applications, significantly boosts your website’s speed and responsiveness by keeping application processes alive between requests.

This setup is crucial for modern web applications on Ubuntu 24.04, allowing you to implement dynamic features like user authentication and data-driven content effectively.

Install FastCGI

To use and run CGI script on Nginx, you must first install and configure FastCGI. With Nginx installed, run the command below to install FastCGI.

🐧Bash / Shell

sudo apt install fcgiwrap

After installing the FastCGI package, we’ll define a location to store our CGI scripts. We’ll create a new /cgi-bin folder in the Nginx root directory for this post.

The URL to the CGI scripts directory will be [/var/www/cgi-bin/].

First, create the CGI directory by running the command below. Then, adjust the directory permissions as needed.

🐧Bash / Shell

sudo mkdir /var/www/cgi-bin
sudo chmod 755 /var/www/cgi-bin

Next, run the command below to create an Nginx configuration file and define our CGI script location and other settings.

🐧Bash / Shell

sudo nano /etc/nginx/fcgiwrap.conf

Then, copy the block below, paste it into the file, and save.

💻Code

location /cgi-bin/ {
    gzip off;
    root  /var/www;
    fastcgi_pass  unix:/var/run/fcgiwrap.socket;
    include /etc/nginx/fastcgi_params;
    fastcgi_param SCRIPT_FILENAME  $document_root$fastcgi_script_name;
}

After creating the FastCGI config above, include it in your Nginx server block. We’ll use the default server block for this post, but you can create new ones.

Open Nginx default server block.

🐧Bash / Shell

sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/default

Then, include the configuration file created above in the server {} section.

💻Code

server {
        listen 80 default_server;
        listen [::]:80 default_server;

        root /var/www/html;
        index index.html index.htm index.nginx-debian.html;

        server_name example.com;

        include fcgiwrap.conf;

        location / {
                # First attempt to serve request as file, then
                # as directory, then fall back to displaying a 404.
                try_files $uri $uri/ =404;
        }
............
............

Save and exit the file.

Next, enable FastCGI and reload Nginx services by running the command below.

🐧Bash / Shell

sudo  systemctl enable fcgiwrap
sudo systemctl reload nginx

Test Apache CGI execution

You should be ready to get your CGI settings in Apache.

Run the command below to create a blank CGI index file.

🐧Bash / Shell

sudo nano /var/www/cgi-bin/index.cgi

Copy the script below, paste it into the file, and save.

💻Code

#!/usr/bin/python3

print("Content-type: text/htmln")
print("<html>n<body>")
print("<p style="width: 100%; font-size: 60px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">")
print("CGI is Enabled!!!")
print("</p>")
print("</body>n</html>")

Make the file executable by running the command below.

🐧Bash / Shell

sudo chmod 705 /var/www/cgi-bin/index.cgi

Now, open your browser and browse the script.

http://example.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi

That should do it!

Conclusion:

Configuring Nginx to run CGI scripts on Ubuntu 24.04 enhances the server’s capability to deliver dynamic web content.
FastCGI plays a crucial role in handling CGI requests efficiently and effectively.
Setting up the /cgi-bin directory allows for organized management of your CGI scripts.
Testing the configuration through a simple Python script ensures the setup works correctly.
Overall, this configuration opens up possibilities for interactive web features, improving user experience on your website.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I install FastCGI on Ubuntu 24.04?

To install FastCGI on Ubuntu 24.04, open your terminal and run the command 'sudo apt install fcgiwrap'. This will install the necessary FastCGI package to enable CGI script execution on your Nginx server.

What is the purpose of the /cgi-bin directory in Nginx?

The /cgi-bin directory is where you store your CGI scripts that Nginx will execute. By default, you can create this directory in your Nginx root directory, typically located at /var/www/cgi-bin.

How do I configure Nginx to use FastCGI?

To configure Nginx to use FastCGI, you need to create a configuration file, such as fcgiwrap.conf, and define the location of your CGI scripts. Include this configuration in your Nginx server block to enable FastCGI processing.

What command do I use to reload Nginx after making changes?

After making changes to your Nginx configuration, you can reload the service by running the command 'sudo systemctl reload nginx'. This will apply your changes without disrupting active connections.

How can I test if my CGI script is working on Nginx?

To test if your CGI script is working, create a simple CGI script in the /cgi-bin directory and ensure it has executable permissions. Access the script via your web browser using the appropriate URL, and you should see the output generated by the script.

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Tags: #Nginx #Ubuntu Linux

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About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.

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