Debian Etch - adding an nginx init script
In the previous article we installed nginx from source. However, installing from source does not create an init script.
Let's create such a script so we can easily start, stop and restart nginx and, perhaps more importantly, ensure it automatically starts on a reboot.
Debian Etch - installing nginx
nginx is a popular server for those who do not need the bulk and extra services that Apache may offer.
Unfortunately, Debian Etch comes with rather an old version (0.4.13). As such, let's look at installing the latest stable version of nginx from source.
Debian Etch - mongrel clusters and surviving a reboot
Proxying requests to a mongrel cluster is one of the ways of serving your Ruby on Rails web application with Debian Etch.
Let's look at creating a cluster and configuring it to survive and restart after a reboot.
Debian Etch - Apache Vhosts, rails and mongrels
One of the ways of serving a Ruby on Rails application is to use Apache to proxy requests to mongrels.
There are a few ways of completing this and we're going to look at one simple solution. Other ways will be looked at in future articles.
Debian Etch - Apache, SSL and vhosts
Securing connections to your website are vital when entering passwords or entering administration areas.
This article will take you through creating a self-signed certificate and configuring your virtual host to use https (port 443) connections.
Debian Etch - Apache Virtual Hosts #2
The previous Debian Apache Virtual Hosts article introduced the basics of the setting up virtual hosts.
This enabled us to serve multiple websites from a single IP address and Slice. Let's look at some of the settings available to us in the Virtual Hosts files and introduce some new ones.
Debian Etch - Apache Virtual Hosts
Now we have Apache installed and running, let's configure it to serve two different domains using Virtual Hosts.
Do note the layout used in these articles is explained here - feel free to use the directories of your choice.
Debian Etch - Apache configuration #2
Continuing from the first Apache configuration article, we'll now look at some of the other settings in the main apache2.conf file and what they can do.
Concentrating on efficiency and security, this will end our apache2.conf journey (for now).
Debian Etch - Apache configuration #1
Let's take a look at the main apache2.conf and ports.conf for our Debian install.
We're not actually going to change a lot at this point, just look at the main settings and see what they mean and what a change will actually do.
Debian Etch - Apache config layout
Installation of Apache on Debian is relatively easy. Where some confusion arises is the layout Debian uses for configuration of Apache (and Apache configuration in general).
However, the Debian layout is not massively different from a 'classic' layout but enough to warrant an introduction.
Debian Etch - installing Apache and PHP5
Debian Etch comes with Apache v.2.2.3 and PHP v.5.2.0. Although neither of these are the absolutely latest packages they do contain the changes that web administrators generally want, such as Apache's mod_proxy module.
The advantage of using packages is that you will get any security updates from Debian (if and when distributed) and dependencies are easily taken care of.
Debian Etch - MySQL and RoR
Previously we secured, updated and personalised our Debian Etch install ready for some action (see Debian Etch page 1 and page 2) .
Now we can install MySQL and Ruby on Rails with subversion and Postfix support.
Debian Etch setup - page 2
Continuing from page 1 of the Debian Etch setup, we'll now configure the terminal to be more useful and readable and create some aliases so we don't repeat entering long commands.
Then we can configure the locale(s) and go ahead and update Debian to the latest secure software ready for the 'working' software such as web servers and so on.
Debian Etch setup - page 1
These Debian articles will take you from a 'barebones' Debian Etch Slice to a secured and up to date Slice ready for your server software (or whatever you use the Slice for).
Not only that, you will have a better understanding of what is going on and, more importantly, why it's going on.