Nginx Error & Access Logs: VPS BIBLE

Setup Unmanaged VPS: The Ubuntu-Nginx Guide

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  Setup Unmanaged VPS: The Ubuntu-Nginx Guide

  Introducing vpsBible’s how-to guide for setting up a super-charged unmanaged VPS featuring Ubuntu and Nginx.
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  VPS (Virtual Private Server) vs Shared vs Dedicated

  Before getting stuck in, let’s compare the web host types in detail and weigh up the differences between managed & unmanaged VPS.
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  Set Up a VPS Linux Distribution

  Opening a VPS hosting account, we’ll choose, configure & launch a Linux server ‘distribution’.
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  Set Up Command Line Interface (CLI) using PuTTY

  Now we’ve got a server to play with, we’ll connect to it, using the ’ssh’ protocol for a super-secure link.
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  Create a Linux User & Set Permissions

  Initially you’ve logged into your remote Linux machine as ‘root’. We’ll add you as a user now, with root or SuperUser permissions.
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  Encrypt Data with OpenSSH & Auto-Login with PuTTY

  Now we can use ‘authentication keys’ to shore up our connection while simplifying login to an automated, password-free yet secure process.
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  Harden the Secure Shell (SSH) & Create a Firewall

  The final security step: galvanizing the OpenSSH protocol and setting up an ‘iptables’ firewall. Now the server is rock ruddy solid.
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  Edit bashrc for User-Friendly Linux, plus System Updates

  We use the terminal a whole lot so let’s cut ourselves a break and create some command shortcuts, then update the server.
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  PHP5, MySQL and Xcache (for Platforms like WordPress)

  We have our foundation, let’s lay some bricks: PHP for server-side web applications, Xcache to speed things up & MySQL for databases.
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  Add a Domain Zone to Your VPS

  To make your server aware of yourDomain.com you’ll need a few ‘DNS’ records. Damn this is simple I’m practically asleep!
• 

  Prepare Linux Server for Email with Postfix

  In order to send and receive email from our web applications we’ll install some software and tweak the ‘RDNS’ record.
• 

  Nginx (better than Apache) Web Server

  OK I woke up .. let’s install this supersonic web server, tweaking its file structure & adding default configuration files.
• 

  Setup FileZilla for Secure FTP (SFTP)

  There’s FTP, and then there’s ‘Secure FTP’. We’ll set up FileZilla using SFTP – and those authentication keys – for secure file transfers.
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  Serve Multiple Sites & Blogs with Virtual Hosts

  We want a website folder structure, some permissions, some site-specific configuration files and, hey, we’ll hook up ‘FastCGI’.
• 

  Adding Sub-Domains with Nginx

  Need a sub-domain? Here’s how to add www.sub.domain.com with an ‘A record’ and a configuration file. (I’ll allow you to skip this bit.)
• 

  Integrate A CMS Like WordPress, WP MU, Drupal etc

  For those of you wanting to use a specific content framework, such as a CMS, blogging or forum software, pop in here and we’ll sort that out.
• 

  Configure phpMyAdmin for Nginx to Maintain MySQL

  Rather than have to crunch databases via the command line, we can make life easier by adding this splendid tool to manage them.
• 

  Google Apps for Domain-Specific Email

  GA’s free Standard Edition for catchall webmail – POP-ping or IMAP-ped to your desktop client – saves precious server resources for your webs.
• 

  Moving Day! How to Move Your Blog or Site

  Nearly there. Here’s the web site or blog migration guide, relocating to your VPS with minimal or no downtime.

• 

  Setup Unmanaged VPS: The Ubuntu-Nginx Guide

  Introducing vpsBible’s how-to guide for setting up a super-charged unmanaged VPS featuring Ubuntu and Nginx.
• 

  VPS (Virtual Private Server) vs Shared vs Dedicated

  Before getting stuck in, let’s compare the web host types in detail and weigh up the differences between managed & unmanaged VPS.
• 

  Set Up a VPS Linux Distribution

  Opening a VPS hosting account, we’ll choose, configure & launch a Linux server ‘distribution’.
• 

  Create a Basic Local to Remote Server SSH Connection

  Let’s gain an initial connection to the VPS server in the most basic way, using a password and the ssh protocol.
• 

  Create a Linux User & Set Permissions

  Initially you’ve logged into your remote Linux machine as ‘root’. We’ll add you as a user now, with root or SuperUser permissions.
• 

  Setup openSSH for Linux-to-Linux

  Now to create ‘authentication keys’ to shore up a local-remote connection while easing login to an automated, password-free process.
• 

  Harden the Secure Shell (SSH) & Create a Firewall

  The final security step: galvanizing the OpenSSH protocol and setting up an ‘iptables’ firewall. Now the server is rock ruddy solid.
• 

  Edit bashrc for User-Friendly Linux, plus System Updates

  We use the terminal a whole lot so let’s cut ourselves a break and create some command shortcuts, then update the server.
• 

  PHP5, MySQL and Xcache (for Platforms like WordPress)

  We have our foundation, let’s lay some bricks: PHP for server-side web applications, Xcache to speed things up & MySQL for databases.
• 

  Add a Domain Zone to Your VPS

  To make your server aware of yourDomain.com you’ll need a few ‘DNS’ records. Damn this is simple I’m practically asleep!
• 

  Prepare Linux Server for Email with Postfix

  In order to send and receive email from our web applications we’ll install some software and tweak the ‘RDNS’ record.
• 

  Nginx (better than Apache) Web Server

  OK I woke up .. let’s install this supersonic web server, tweaking its file structure & adding default configuration files.
• 

  Setup FileZilla for Secure FTP (SFTP)

  There’s FTP, and then there’s ‘Secure FTP’. We’ll set up FileZilla using SFTP – and those authentication keys – for secure file transfers.
• 

  Serve Multiple Sites & Blogs with Virtual Hosts

  We want a website folder structure, some permissions, some site-specific configuration files and, hey, we’ll hook up ‘FastCGI’.
• 

  Adding Sub-Domains with Nginx

  Need a sub-domain? Here’s how to add www.sub.domain.com with an ‘A record’ and a configuration file. (I’ll allow you to skip this bit.)
• 

  Integrate A CMS Like WordPress, WP MU, Drupal etc

  For those of you wanting to use a specific content framework, such as a CMS, blogging or forum software, pop in here and we’ll sort that out.
• 

  Configure phpMyAdmin for Nginx to Maintain MySQL

  Rather than have to crunch databases via the command line, we can make life easier by adding this splendid tool to manage them.
• 

  Google Apps for Domain-Specific Email

  GA’s free Standard Edition for catchall webmail – POP-ping or IMAP-ped to your desktop client – saves precious server resources for your webs.
• 

  Moving Day! How to Move Your Blog or Site

  Nearly there. Here’s the web site or blog migration guide, relocating to your VPS with minimal or no downtime.

• 

  Appendix 1a: Nginx Control Panel

  You’re migrating shared-to-VPS and want a GUI like cPanel? No you don’t, not after you read this! What’s more, you don’t need one either.
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  Appendix 1b: Nginx Control Panel Workarounds

  For every control panel module there’s an equivalent terminal command. They’re all linked from here so, hey, no excuses!
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  Appendix 2: Add Web Sites Nginx Cheatsheet

  Once you’ve set up your first site, adding more gets easier. Especially when you can refer to this. (Let’s face it, I’m just too good to you.)