Nginx is a free, open-source, high-performance HTTP server and reverse proxy. It can serve many times the traffic that Apache HTTPd can, and it serves many of the world's most popular websites, including Netflix, Dropbox, and Github.
Nginx can be run as a Windows service using FireDaemon Pro. This allows you to start and run Nginx automatically when Windows boots and before login. FireDaemon Pro also allows you to start multiple instances of Nginx, monitor them and automatically restart those instances in the event they crash. FireDaemon Fusion can also be used to manage your Nginx service, as well as other Windows services, via your web browser.
Nginx Setup Under FireDaemon Pro
Please follow the steps below to set up Nginx as a Windows service with FireDaemon Pro
Step 1: Download and Install Nginx
Nginx has two active development branches. The "Mainline" version includes all bug fixes and new features. "Stable" includes bug fixes only. The Mainline version should be suitable for use in most cases unless you are using a third-party module. In that case, use the Stable version.
- Download the latest Windows Mainline or Stable version from here
- Extract the contents of the ZIP file to a folder on your hard disk drive. For this guide, we will use "C:\Program Files\nginx".
You may also need to configure Nginx. Check out our guide!
Step 2: Set Up Nginx as a FireDaemon Pro Service
Download and install FireDaemon Pro. Double-click the FireDaemon Pro icon on your desktop, then click on the New (i.e. +) button in the toolbar (or type Ctrl + N) to create a new service. Enter the information into the fields as you see below. Adjust the path names to suit your installation. Note the required parameters.
Next, click on the FireDaemon Pro Settings tab:
Enter appropriate values in the fields on the Settings tab as follows:
- (Required) Interact with Desktop: Uncheck this because Nginx does not create any window.
- (Required) Job Type: Set to Global to ensure nginx.exe processes are terminated when the service terminates
- (Optional) Logon Account: Enter the Windows account under which the application is to be run, e.g. the current administrator account.
- (Optional) Password / Confirm Password: Enter the logon account's password twice.
- (Optional) Priority: To allocate more CPU time to the application, select a higher scheduling priority in this field.
- (Optional) CPU Bindings: To run the application on a specific CPU, specify the appropriate CPU in this field.
Now, click on the Events tab. Append a new Termination Event. This is where we set up Nginx to stop gracefully when the FireDaemon Pro service is shut down.
Lastly, click the Save and Close (i.e., the tick) button on the toolbar. If the service's Startup Type is set to Automatic or Automatic (Delayed-Start), it will start immediately.
Step 3: Check Connectivity and Optionally Configure Windows Defender Firewall
Point your browser at the Nginx instance (e.g. http://localhost) to ensure it is up and running. If you encounter issues, refer to the FireDaemon Pro debug log file, the Windows Event Viewer, and the Nginx log files.
If you are having trouble connecting to Nginx ensure you configure Windows Defender Firewall to allow inbound connections on port 80 and/or 443. To do this, go to the Control Panel and choose Windows Defender Firewall. Then add a new Inbound Rule as follows:
Click Next, then choose the program path to nginx.exe as follows:
Click Next, then choose the Action as follows:
Click Next, then choose when this rule applies:
Click Next, then specify the rule name and description. Then click Finish. You should now be able to access Nginx via your web browser using either your IP address or hostname.
