Question

How can I get Node.js to listen on port 80?

Hi! I followed the instructions here, https://www.digitalocean.com/community/articles/how-to-install-node-js-with-nvm-node-version-manager-on-a-vps, and I got a Node app up and running on port 3000. When I direct requests to that port, I see my app, but not when I send a request without specifying a port.

I tried running $ PORT=80 node app, and Node threw an error and quit. It worked when I used PORT=8080 though.

On IRC, @kamal_ suggested I install and configure NGINX to to serve the static files “and pass everything else to Node.js”, and now I have NGINX up and running. When I go to my droplet’s IP now, I see “Welcome to nginx!” instead of having the connection refused, but I still have to append :3000 to the URL to see my Node app.

This is the NGINX config file I got from @kamal_: https://p.kk7.me/mepayofuqo.nginx

What are the next steps to making the app load on requests to the default port?

Thanks in advance!

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loranbriggs • October 10, 2013

For people looking for a quick and easy solution, not the most robust, but it will get you running, try: <br> <br>redirect port 80 to port 3000 with this command: <br> <br> sudo iptables -t nat -A PREROUTING -i eth0 -p tcp --dport 80 -j REDIRECT --to-port 3000 <br> <br>Then launch Node.js on port 3000. Requests to port 80 will get mapped to port 3000. <br> <br>You should also edit your /etc/rc.d/rc.local file and add that line minus the sudo. That will add the redirect when the machine boots up. <br> <br>found this (here)[http://stackoverflow.com/questions/16573668/best-practices-when-running-node-js-with-port-80-ubuntu-linode] Hope this helps someone.

ipamitytarun • February 25, 2019

You can use the proxy

   server_name  example.com;
    access_log /var/log/nginx/your.log;
    location / {
            proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:3000/;
    }
maximilliangeorge • July 20, 2014

Launching the app with sudo works fine. There’s probably security implications. I’m not a backend guy. But it will work for now.

Edit: No, it’s not… I give up.