Nginx (reverse proxy) + LAMP vs nginx only (LEMP)

January 6, 2016 6k

As I am planning to start hosting on DigitalOcean soon, I wanted to use ServerPilot to help me get the basics on the VPS then I add vBulletin myself like I do on any other host. I found out that ServerPilot uses a LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP-fpm) and adds a layer of Nginx on the top.

That's a new configuration I never really heard about so I was really wondering what's better, Nginx over Apache, or just Nginx. Since I am going to use WordPress and vBulletin both have static, and dynamic content so which option should one go with?

I know there is an article here on DigitalOcean that compares Apache to Nginx but it basically compares Apache w/mod_php to Nginx with PHP-fpm which is not really fare. Also nginx as a front layer makes the system behave differently so I wanted someone to explain to me if using nginx alone is better than reverse proxy, and why (along with php-fpm in both cases of course)

2 Answers

UKn0Me January 6, 2016

There's no need to make things overly complex for little to no gain, so if it were me I'd just stick with a standard LEMP stack.

MRizkBV January 6, 2016

Thanks. Just wanted to know if you ever tried ServerPilot, or EasyEngine. They both claim to optimize the configuration for best setup. EasyEngine uses LEMP only, but ServerPilot uses nginx over LAMP (with a guide to disable apache turning it into LEMP only https://serverpilot.io/community/articles/how-to-create-a-lemp-stack-only-nginx-no-apache.html)

So if you ever used any of them, or both, which do one do you recommend, and which do you think will be more optimized? Thanks again.
- UKn0Me January 6, 2016
  
  Unfortunately I haven't had the chance of using either so I'm unable to recommend anything although I would advise setting it up manually to learn a little bit about how it works.

EmielM October 13, 2016

I am also very interested in experiences with both these hosting setups. There must be a reason Server Pilot uses Nginx over Apache instead of standard LEMP. I read some things about security improvements with Apache's mod_security plugin.
So far I couldn't find a tutorial on setting up a droplet manually using Nginx + LAMP. I guess there's more configuration left to be done after just installing LAMP and Nginx next to it?

Thanks for any advise in advance!

MRizk October 13, 2016

The reason ServerPilot uses Nginx is because it's better than Apache.

Nginx handles static content much better than Apache, but dynamic content? Not a huge difference.

If your website serves only static files a Nginx webserver could serve 1000x more vistors than what Apache can serve on same server setup.

Using Nginx only might be the perfect choice to save on server hardware (and costs) but it needs more work because if you use any scripts / coding that requires an Apache specific module, it won't work on Nginx only setup.

That is exactly why ServerPilot uses both. Nginx stands in front and handles all requests specially static pages, and it forwards Apache specific requests to Apache. This is the optimal setup for saving money, and also simple coding life!

I've been using this setup since January and I've never been happier!
- EmielM October 13, 2016
  
  Thanks a lot for your reply MRizk!
  
  I also like the ServerPilot setup, it works very well for us. However, we want to create the same setup ourselves on a droplet, without using ServerPilot, for some reasons I will not bother you with. So if we would like to create a droplet setup similar to ServerPilot, would this be the way to do so?
  
  Create droplet with Ubuntu
  
  Install LAMP (Or choose one-click Ubuntu + LAMP install on droplet creation)
  
  Install Nginx as a web server and reverse proxy following this tutorial: https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-configure-nginx-as-a-web-server-and-reverse-proxy-for-apache-on-one-ubuntu-14-04-droplet
  
  Install virtual hosts for apache and nginx using these tutorials:
  https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-set-up-apache-virtual-hosts-on-ubuntu-14-04-lts
  https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-set-up-nginx-server-blocks-virtual-hosts-on-ubuntu-14-04-lts
  
  Install Wordpress using this tutorial:
  https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-install-wordpress-with-lamp-on-ubuntu-16-04
  
  What do you think? Thanks again for your help in advance, very much appreciated!
  
  Kind regards,
  Emiel
  
  How To Set Up Apache Virtual Hosts on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS
  by Justin Ellingwood
  The Apache web server is the most popular way to serve web content on the internet. Apache has the ability to serve multiple domains from a single server by using a mechanism called "virtual hosts". If a virtual host is configured correctly for each domain, the web server can correctly route traffic to the appropriate files based on the domain name requested. In this guide, we'll demonstrate how to configure Apache virtual hosts on an Ubuntu 14.04 VPS.
  
  MRizk October 13, 2016
  
  Yes, that's exactly how you do it!
  
  Just don't forget to install a good firewall and configure it well :)
  
  Tip: ServerPilot does it all for you, including a firewall and automatic update for it and the OS itself.
  
  Note: I don't work for ServerPilot but I am really satisfied user!
  
  EmielM October 13, 2016
  
  Thanks again for your reply!
  
  I forgot about the firewall indeed. However we do have Cloudflare in front for most apps it's a good idea to install one. ServerPilot uses an iptables firewall, so I guess this would be sufficient:
  https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-set-up-a-firewall-using-iptables-on-ubuntu-14-04
  Besides, I read that mod_security is now supported by both Apache and Nginx. Do you know if that would also function well for the Nginx part if installed following this tutorial: https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-set-up-modsecurity-with-apache-on-ubuntu-14-04-and-debian-8
  
  Or would you advise another firewall at all?
  
  Thanks again for your help!
  And thanks for the note btw, lol :D
  
  How To Set Up a Firewall Using Iptables on Ubuntu 14.04
  by Justin Ellingwood
  The iptables firewall is a great way to secure your Linux server. In this guide, we'll discuss how to configure iptables rules on an Ubuntu 14.04 server.
  
  MRizk October 14, 2016
  
  I am really sorry but I am not expert. I just did my homework before deciding to go with ServerPilot :D
  
  EmielM October 14, 2016
  
  Thanks MRizk!

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