Welcome to our latest course, which will guide you through the process of installing, securing, and configuring NGINX or Apache on an Ubuntu web server. You will also learn to encrypt all web traffic, using a Free SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt.

Description

APACHE Section:

This course begins with exploring the most widely used web server technology available, Apache. Statistics show that Apache is used to run over 65% of all web servers around the world. Understanding how to work with Apache, is an instrumental part of the web development process. Students will learn the following key concepts:

• Deploying a virtual server on Digital Ocean

• Working with dynamic, static and floating IPs

• Using Terminal for remote authentication

• Installing and configuring LAMP Stack on Ubuntu 18.04

• Testing PHP

• Hosting Multiple Domains on one Apache Virtual Server

• Configuring Virtual Host Files and Directives

• DNS Zone File Configuration

NGINX Section:

NGINX is now considered the most powerful, efficient, and secure web server technology used to host web applications of all sizes and complexity. The software is open-source, and is designed for maximum performance and stability. It also aims to correct many of the short-falls of Apache, when it comes to delivering content to your end user. NGINX can be used for web serving, reverse proxying, caching, load balancing, media streaming, and much more.

The NGINX Section of this course will help you understand the following key concepts:

• 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

SSL Certificates - Let's Encrypt

This section of the course offers an in-depth look into the role of SSL certificates when it comes to server security and web traffic encryption. We start with a thorough introduction which includes exploring different types of certificates and how they work. From there, students create a droplet on Digital Ocean and configure their own free SSL certificate using Let’s Encrypt Certificate Authority. This section of the course combines theoretical and hands-on training. Students have the opportunity to practice some of the concepts explored in the previous two sections, while also learning about free SSL Certificates, such as Let’s Encrypt.

• Students Interested in learning the Foundations of NGINX, Apache & SSL Encryption
• Students interested in learning how SSL Certificates work
• Web Developers interested in setting up NGINX on a Ubuntu Server, with MySQL, PHP, & PhpMyAdmin
• Web Developers interested in setting up APACHE on Ubuntu with LAMP Stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP)
• Students interested in learn how to install and configure WordPress on NGINX

Course content

• Apache Web Server Configuration
  • Deploying a Virtual Server on Digital Ocean
  • Creating and Attaching a Floating IP
  • Intro to Terminal and Root User Authentication
  • Apache Installation and Testing
  • Installing MySQL Database Management System
  • Installing and Testing PHP
  • Installing PhpMyAdmin for Database Administration
  • Introduction to Virtual Hosts
  • Directory Structure, Permissions and Test Files
  • Configuring Virtual Host Files and Directives
  • Name Server Configuration
  • DNS Zone File Configuration and Testing
  • Installing SSL for each Domain using Lets Encrypt
  • Summary and Next Steps
• NGINX Web Server Configuration
  • Apache vs NGINX
  • History of Apache
  • Advantages of NGINX
  • Deploying a Droplet on Digital Ocean
  • Attaching a Floating IP
  • Connecting to your Virtual Server
  • Install and Configure NGINX
  • Install and Configure MySQL on NGINX
  • Install and Configure PHP on NGINX
  • Creating a PHP Test File
  • Modifying Domain Name Servers
  • Configuring DNS Zone Files
  • Updating the NGINX Block File Configuration
  • Installing Lets Encrypt SSL on NGINX
  • Installing PhpMyAdmin
  • Securing PhpMyAdmin with Symbolic Links
  • Securing PhpMyAdmin with Authentication Gateways
  • Enabling Authentication Gateways
  • Introduction to WordPress
  • Creating a Database for Wordpress
  • Installing PHP Extensions for WordPress
  • NGINX Block Configuration for WordPress
  • Downloading WordPress
  • WordPress Configuration
  • WordPress Setup
• Bonus: SSL Certificates Explored + Practice Project
  • Introduction to SSL Certificates
  • Traditional vs. Digital Certificate
  • Types of SSL Certificates
  • How SSL Certificates Work
  • Obtaining an SSL Certificate
  • Introduction to Lets Encrypt
  • Server Preparation
  • Domain Name Server Administration
  • Introduction to Digital Ocean
  • Droplet Configurations
  • Creating a Droplet
  • Install PuTTY-Terminal and Connect
  • Install LAMP Stack - Apache, MySQL, PHP
  • Configure DNS on Digital Ocean
  • Droplet Basic Configurations
  • Installing Lets Encrypt
  • SSL Certificate Status Reports
  • Redirect all Domain Variations to HTTPS
  • Auto Renewal with cron jobs