Question

I can't use nodejs/expressjs to get the client IP address behind a Digital Ocean Loadbalancer when using "req.headers['x-forwarded-for'];".

Posted on September 14, 2018
Ubuntu 16.04 Load Balancing Node.js Dokku
Asked by smauer

I cannot use nodejs with expressjs to get the client IP address (enabled with ssl) behind a Digital Ocean Loadbalancer when using “req.headers[‘x-forwarded-for’];”.

To manage the droplet I use “dokku” witch installs “nginx”.

How can I get the real client IP address behind a Digital Ocean Loadbalancer with a SSL connection?

Please help me.

Submit an answer

This textbox defaults to using Markdown to format your answer.

You can type !ref in this text area to quickly search our full set of tutorials, documentation & marketplace offerings and insert the link!

These answers are provided by our Community. If you find them useful, show some love by clicking the heart. If you run into issues leave a comment, or add your own answer to help others.

smauer • September 14, 2018

Accepted Answer

I have found the error that makes “dokku” in the configuration of nginx.

You must replace proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $remote_addr;

TO proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $http_x_forwarded_for;

in the following file: /home/dokku/yourappname/nginx.conf

I hope this helps someone else as well.