Install NGINX, PHP, MySQL, SSL & WordPress on Ubuntu from Udemy

Hello and Welcome to our latest new course. We are glad you could join us on this exciting new learning expedition.

In this course, we are going to be exploring one of the most powerful Web Server technologies available. One that has grown in popularity exponentially since its release - Yes, we are talking about NGINX.

Whether you are an experienced web developer or new to the industry, you’ve likely heard of the age-old debate between Apache and NGINX. Which one is better, what should you use? This course offers a great introduction into NGINX. We will be covering several important topics, such as:

Understanding the difference between Apache & NGINX
Installing NGINX on a Digital Ocean Droplet or any Virtual Server of your choice.
Modifying the NGINX Block Configuration file for hosting Websites
Installing essential components on NGINX such as MySQL, PHP & PhpMyAdmin
Securing PhpMyAdmin using symbolic links and NGINX’s built in authentication gateway.
Securing your hosted websites with free SSL using Certbot & Let’s Encrypt
Installing and Configuring WordPress on your NGINX Server

We will be using Digital Ocean droplets for this course, but you can create a virtual server with any cloud hosting provider of your choice. The configuration steps would be the same, regardless of who you host with. Also, we will be using the latest LTS version of Ubuntu (18.04).

So, if you are ready to dive back into another course and learn a variety of new concepts, hit the sign-up button.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand the key differences between apache and nginx
Deploy a virtual server on digital ocean with ubuntu 18.04
Attach a floating ip to a digital ocean virtual server
Connect to a remote virtual server using an ssh client
Execute basic commands to a server
Install lemp stack on a virtual server (linux, nginx, mysql, php)
Configure name servers for a domain name

Configure a dns zone file
Install a free let's encrypt ssl certificate on nginx using certbot
Install phpmyadmin on nginx
Secure phpmyadmin using symbolic links and authentication gateways
Install and configure wordpress on nginx
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Understand the key differences between apache and nginx
Deploy a virtual server on digital ocean with ubuntu 18.04
Attach a floating ip to a digital ocean virtual server
Connect to a remote virtual server using an ssh client
Execute basic commands to a server
Install lemp stack on a virtual server (linux, nginx, mysql, php)
Configure name servers for a domain name
Configure a dns zone file
Install a free let's encrypt ssl certificate on nginx using certbot
Install phpmyadmin on nginx
Secure phpmyadmin using symbolic links and authentication gateways
Install and configure wordpress on nginx
Show more
Show less

Syllabus

Apache vs. NGINX

Introduction

History of Apache

Advantages of NGINX

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Covers the installation of a LEMP stack, which is a popular open-source web development platform

Explores the differences between Apache and NGINX, which is a common topic in web server technology

Teaches how to secure PhpMyAdmin using symbolic links, which is a security measure that is not always well-understood

Uses Ubuntu 18.04, which is an older version of Ubuntu, so some commands may be different in newer versions

Demonstrates how to install Let's Encrypt SSL certificates, which are essential for website security

Reviews summary

Install nginx, php, mysql, wordpress

According to learners, this course provides a practical, step-by-step guide to installing and configuring a LEMP stack (NGINX, MySQL, PHP), SSL, and WordPress on an Ubuntu server. Many students found the instructions on setting up NGINX block files, installing components, securing PhpMyAdmin, and configuring WordPress to be clear and easy to follow, making the process of deploying a website feel achievable. The hands-on nature and focus on real-world deployment are frequently highlighted as positive aspects. However, a significant recurring point is the use of an outdated Ubuntu 18.04 LTS version. This means learners using newer versions (like 20.04 or 22.04) will likely encounter command changes and compatibility issues, necessitating troubleshooting and external research to adapt the course material.

Successfully sets up LEMP, SSL, WordPress.

"The course successfully guided me through installing NGINX, PHP, MySQL, and securing it with Let's Encrypt SSL."

"Achieved exactly what the title promises - a working LEMP stack with WordPress."

"Covers all the essential components needed for a modern web server setup."

Excellent for practical website deployment.

"This course is highly practical and gave me exactly the steps needed to host my own website."

"Directly applicable knowledge for setting up a real web server environment."

"The hands-on labs and demos were very useful for understanding the practical application of NGINX."

"Perfect for anyone wanting to deploy WordPress on a custom server setup."

Instructions are clear and easy to follow.

"The instructions were very clear and easy to follow, even for someone relatively new to server setups."

"Loved the step-by-step approach to setting up the entire LEMP stack and WordPress."

"Made the process of installing NGINX, PHP, MySQL, and SSL feel much less intimidating with the clear guidance."

"Found the explanations straightforward, which is crucial for a technical setup course like this."

Difficult when things don't work exactly.

"When commands failed due to the Ubuntu version difference, it was hard to troubleshoot without extra help."

"I ran into several issues that weren't covered, and debugging was tough based on the course material alone."

"Could benefit from a section on common errors and how to fix them, especially for newer OS versions."

Uses an older, unsupported Ubuntu version.

"The course uses Ubuntu 18.04, which is quite old and no longer the current LTS release. I had to modify commands for 22.04."

"It was challenging following along using a newer version of Ubuntu as many instructions were specific to 18.04."

"I wish the course was updated to use a more recent LTS version like 20.04 or 22.04; it would save a lot of troubleshooting."

"Running into errors because commands are different in newer Ubuntu releases compared to 18.04 shown in the videos."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Install NGINX, PHP, MySQL, SSL & WordPress on Ubuntu with these activities:

Review Linux Command Line Basics

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Familiarize yourself with basic Linux commands to navigate the server environment effectively during the course.

Browse courses on Linux Command Line

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Review common commands like `cd`, `ls`, `mkdir`, `rm`, `cp`, and `mv`.
Practice using the command line to navigate directories and manage files.
Familiarize yourself with command line text editors like `nano` or `vim`.

Brush up on Networking Fundamentals

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Revisit networking concepts to better understand how NGINX interacts with web traffic and SSL certificates.

Browse courses on Networking Fundamentals

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Review the basics of TCP/IP and how data is transmitted over the internet.
Understand the role of DNS in resolving domain names to IP addresses.
Learn about HTTP and HTTPS protocols and their importance in web communication.

Follow Tutorials on Basic NGINX Configuration

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Work through tutorials to gain hands-on experience with configuring NGINX for simple tasks like serving static content.

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Find tutorials that cover basic NGINX configuration, such as setting up server blocks.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step, paying attention to the configuration file syntax.
Experiment with different configuration options to see how they affect NGINX's behavior.

Four other activities

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Practice NGINX Configuration

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Practice configuring NGINX by setting up virtual hosts, reverse proxies, and load balancing.

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Set up multiple virtual hosts on a single NGINX server.
Configure NGINX as a reverse proxy for an application server.
Implement basic load balancing across multiple backend servers.

Document Your NGINX Configuration Process

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Create a personal knowledge base by documenting the steps you took to configure NGINX, including any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

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Create a document outlining the steps you took to install and configure NGINX.
Include screenshots and code snippets to illustrate your configuration.
Describe any problems you encountered and how you solved them.

Deploy a Personal Website with NGINX

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Solidify your understanding of NGINX by deploying a personal website or blog using the skills learned in the course.

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Choose a domain name and hosting provider.
Install and configure NGINX on your server.
Deploy your website files to the server.
Configure NGINX to serve your website.

Contribute to NGINX Documentation

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Deepen your understanding of NGINX by contributing to its open-source documentation, helping other users learn and troubleshoot.

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Identify areas in the NGINX documentation that could be improved or expanded.
Submit pull requests with your proposed changes.
Respond to feedback from other contributors and refine your contributions.

Career center

Learners who complete Install NGINX, PHP, MySQL, SSL & WordPress on Ubuntu will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Web Server Administrator

A Web Server Administrator is responsible for the smooth operation of a company's web servers. This includes installation, maintenance, and ensuring security. This course directly addresses the needs of a Web Server Administrator because it covers the installation of NGINX, a popular web server, as well as PHP and MySQL, which are all essential components of a typical web server environment. Moreover, the course teaches securing websites with SSL certificates and the setup of WordPress on NGINX, which are vital skills within this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Server Administrator

Systems Administrator

A Systems Administrator manages an organization's computer systems, including servers. This course provides a practical experience in setting up a LEMP stack on a virtual server, which is often a core component of system administration work. The skills acquired here are directly applicable to the responsibilities of a Systems Administrator with regards to managing, securing, and configuring web servers. Moreover, the experience in configuring NGINX and securing websites make this course a strong choice.

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Cloud Engineer

A Cloud Engineer designs, builds, and maintains cloud infrastructure. This course aligns with a Cloud Engineer's needs by providing hands-on experience with deploying a virtual server and setting up a complete web stack, specifically in a cloud environment using Digital Ocean. The skills taught in this course, such as installing NGINX and securing with SSL, are very useful in cloud deployments. Therefore, this course is a good place to start when learning about web servers in the cloud.

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Webmaster

A Webmaster oversees the operations of a website. This course directly targets a Webmaster's needs, covering the very basics of how web servers are set up, including NGINX, PHP, and MySQL. This course provides instruction on securing web sites and installing WordPress. These are necessary skills for a Webmaster, especially one interested in operating a server or website directly. The course provides solid experience in foundational web technologies.

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DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer focuses on automating and streamlining the software development lifecycle. This course may be useful to a DevOps Engineer, especially with its focus on setting up a LEMP stack and deploying WordPress on NGINX. The course's coverage of server configuration, SSL certificates, and deployment automation via cloud servers directly aligns with many of the day-to-day tasks of a DevOps Engineer. This course provides an understanding of the infrastructure components.

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Web Application Developer

A Web Application Developer creates and maintains web applications. This course may be useful to a Web Application Developer, particularly in understanding the server-side infrastructure that supports their applications. The course covers installation of NGINX, PHP, and MySQL, which are necessary to build and host web applications. Furthermore, the course's coverage of securing web applications with SSL and installing WordPress on NGINX provides a holistic experience.

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Backend Developer

A Backend Developer works on the server-side logic and databases that power web applications. This course may be useful for a Backend Developer as it offers a practical introduction to technologies like NGINX, PHP, and MySQL. These are crucial tools for building the foundations of web applications and managing their data. The course also covers how to configure these technologies, providing a valuable step towards setting up the infrastructure that allows for the development of backend processes.

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Technical Support Engineer

A Technical Support Engineer provides assistance to users of technology products. This course may be helpful, especially if the support role involves troubleshooting issues with web servers and applications. The course gives exposure to deploying and configuring NGINX, PHP, and MySQL, and would provide a basic understanding of these components. Furthermore, the course’s instruction on WordPress configuration also builds a foundation for supporting CMS applications.

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IT Consultant

An IT Consultant provides expert advice to businesses on using technology to meet their goals. This course may be helpful to an IT Consultant by providing a practical understanding of setting up web server infrastructure, which frequently forms the backbone of IT solutions. The skills gained from this course, such as deploying and configuring NGINX, installing SSL certificates, and hosting WordPress, will give an IT Consultant useful knowledge when advising on web-related technology solutions.

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Information Security Analyst

An Information Security Analyst focuses on protecting an organization's information assets from threats. This course may be useful as it introduces securing web servers with SSL and implementing authentication gateways. While these topics are fundamental to some aspects of Information Security, areas such as network security, incident response, and vulnerability management are outside the course's scope. Nevertheless, the course gives some insight into securing web servers, which may be useful in a security analyst role.

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Junior Network Engineer

A Junior Network Engineer helps maintain and optimize an organization's network infrastructure. This course may be useful as it provides experience with server configurations relevant to network operations. While not directly focused on network hardware, this course develops skills in configuring web servers with NGINX, managing domain names, and securing connections with SSL. These skills allow a Junior Network Engineer to better understand the environment in which they operate.

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Database Administrator

A Database Administrator is responsible for ensuring the security, performance, and availability of databases. While this course touches on the installation of MySQL databases, it does not go into advanced topics most relevant to the role of a Database Administrator. Although the course covers basic MySQL installation, it does not fully address database optimization or schema design. Therefore, this course may be useful for very beginner Database Administrators or those that perform a range of system administration tasks.

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IT Project Manager

An IT Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing IT projects. This course may be useful to an IT Project Manager by providing an understanding of the technical aspects of web server implementations, such as deploying NGINX and setting up SSL. This knowledge helps in project planning and risk assessment. Moreover, the course offers insight into the technical efforts required for web-related projects.

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Solutions Architect

A Solutions Architect designs and plans the architecture of IT systems to meet business requirements. This course may provide a useful foundational understanding for a Solutions Architect interested in web infrastructure. The course provides knowledge of setting up a LEMP stack and configuring NGINX. This course, however, does not discuss enterprise level solutions architecture. Nevertheless, the course will provide a solid understanding of key web server components.

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Technical Writer

A Technical Writer creates documentation for technical products and services. This course may allow a Technical Writer to gain a basic technical understanding of the technologies they may be documenting, such as NGINX, PHP, MySQL, and WordPress. The course gives a practical understanding of the installation and configuration processes involved. While the course is not specifically about writing, the technical knowledge developed would be beneficial for someone in the role.

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