Geek Rewind

How to Install Nginx on Google Cloud Server

This post shows students and new users steps to install the Nginx HTTP server on a Google Cloud server running Ubuntu Linux.

If you want to run a website online, you’ll need a web server. Nginx is one of the most popular open-source servers today and an outstanding web server for running sites online.

This is the fourth post in this series, which can be used as a beginner’s guide to learning how to create a website domain, set up a Google Cloud server with Ubuntu Linux, and install software and packages to build and run a website online.

In this series:

Now that you’ve learned how to create a website domain and set up a Google Cloud server, this post shows you how to install the Nginx HTTP web server.

A web server allows content to be published and served to clients and your audience browsing your website.

In our first post, we mentioned that after you create a domain name, it can’t be used until forwarded or pointed to a server. The second post showed you how to point a domain to a server we created.

At this point, we’re ready to connect to our Google Cloud server and begin installing software and packages that will be used to run a website online.

How to connect to the Google Cloud server

Google Cloud server (Compute Engine) allows users to connect using SSH from the browser window to their virtual machine (VM) instance within the Google Cloud Console. 

SSH from the browser supports the following:

  • Web browsers
    • The latest version of Google Chrome
    • Firefox
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 and later
    • Safari 8 and later. Note that Safari is not supported in private browser mode.
  • Virtual machine configurations
    • All Linux VM images are natively available in Google Cloud.

No additional software or browser extensions are needed. Simply login to Google Cloud Console and go to Menu ==> Compute Engine ==> VM instances.

In the list of virtual machine instances, click SSH in the row of the instance that you want to connect to.

Establishing SSH connection to Google Cloud server

Alternatively, you can open an SSH connection to an instance by clicking its name and SSH from the instance details page.

An SSH terminal window with the Ubuntu Linux instance created in the series’s second post will open.

You should now be able to run commands in Ubuntu Linux created on the Google Cloud server.

Connecting to Google Cloud instance host for Nginx installation

How to install Nginx on Ubuntu Linux on Google Cloud Server

Installing Nginx on Ubuntu Linux is no different, whether on Google Cloud or a local VM instance.

Nginx packages are available in Ubuntu default repositories. Using the apt-get commands, one can install the Nginx HTTP server on Ubuntu Linux.

A detailed post with help installing Nginx on Ubuntu Linux is below. Click on it to learn more about installing and managing the Nginx HTTP server on Ubuntu Linux.

How to install Nginx on Ubuntu Linux

With the Nginx web server installed, your domain name should now be able to bring up a default Nginx help page when anyone browses your domain name.

Go and type your domain name in your browser, and you should see an example page similar to the one below:

http://example.com

ubuntu self-signed nginx certs

As you can see, your server hosted on Google Cloud is now resolving your domain name and server content with the Nginx HTTP web server.

We’ll continue to add other servers and software so you can run a functional website online.

Conclusion:

Installing the Nginx HTTP server on your Google Cloud server is a crucial step in establishing your online presence. Here are the key points to remember:

  • Nginx is a popular open-source web server that efficiently serves web content.
  • You can connect to your Google Cloud server using SSH through your web browser.
  • Installing Nginx on Ubuntu Linux is straightforward and requires the use of apt-get commands.
  • After installation, your domain should display the default Nginx help page, confirming that your server is operational.
  • This guide is part of a series that aims to help you build a fully functioning website online, including domain creation and server setup.

By following these steps, you are well on your way to managing your website and leveraging the power of Google Cloud services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nginx and why should I use it?

Nginx is a high-performance web server that is widely used for serving static content and handling high traffic loads. It is known for its speed, efficiency, and ability to handle multiple connections simultaneously, making it an excellent choice for hosting websites.

How do I connect to my Google Cloud server using SSH?

You can connect to your Google Cloud server by using the SSH option in the Google Cloud Console. Simply navigate to Compute Engine, find your VM instance, and click on the SSH button to open a terminal window.

What are the steps to install Nginx on Ubuntu Linux?

To install Nginx on Ubuntu Linux, first, connect to your server via SSH. Then, run the command 'sudo apt-get update' followed by 'sudo apt-get install nginx' to install the Nginx package from the default repositories.

Can I use Nginx on a local VM instance?

Yes, you can install Nginx on a local VM instance just like you would on a Google Cloud server. The installation process is the same, utilizing the apt-get commands to install Nginx from the Ubuntu repositories.

What should I do if Nginx fails to start after installation?

If Nginx fails to start, check the error logs located in '/var/log/nginx/error.log' for any issues. Common problems include configuration errors or port conflicts, which can be resolved by reviewing your Nginx configuration files.

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