VM web hosting --IIS, Apache or NGINX


  1. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #1

    VM web hosting --IIS, Apache or NGINX


    Hi folks

    I'm starting in the area of web servers which I want to test on a local VM first - seem to me 3 contenders for this - IIS (Windows), Apache and NGINX (both Linux)

    I know something about Apache, and a teeny bit about IIS -- however there's some excellent write ups about NGINX.

    Anybody here tried that one and can compare it with the other 2 --ease of setting up, speed, security etc.

    I'm posting this here rather than on a Linux board as a lot here run Linux both as HOSTS and VM's and also (obviously I hope here ) run some sort of Windows too -- usually saying anything about Windows on a Linux forum just gets met with a torrent of abuse rather than a sensible discussion.

    Any help here appreciated -- I have my own domain but I want to test locally before I decide on what hosting service to pay for --some very good cheap hosting plans out there (get your own domain first though) but if I choose the wrong OS I'm hosed - so that's why I want to play with this stuff on a local machine first.

    For VM's I've got unused W10 Pro and W7 Enterprise licenses so I could try for IIS and Linux is free so no probs there.

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,068
    Windows 10 Pro
       #2

    A lot comes down to your workload. Obviously a .NET application is going to be served via IIS.

    Apache has been the long standard. Nginx is used very heavily in the corporate realm. Amazon AWS uses Nginx pretty heavily itself, using it as the backend of Elastic Load balancers. Of course, within AWS you don't actually interact at all with the Nginx server, you utilize the AWS console as well as the API and command line tools.

    If it were me, I would start with Nginx.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 31,474
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #3

    jimbo45 said:
    I'm starting in the area of web servers which I want to test on a local VM first - seem to me 3 contenders for this - IIS (Windows), Apache and NGINX (both Linux)

    I know something about Apache, and a teeny bit about IIS -- however there's some excellent write ups about NGINX.

    Anybody here tried that one and can compare it with the other 2 --ease of setting up, speed, security etc.
    For a Windows-based Apache I use WampServer.
    http://www.wampserver.com/en/
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 1,471
    Win10 Home x64 - 1809
       #4

    Haven't used NGINX, but I've use both Windows and Linux hosting and I prefer Linux (LAMP). As far as your VM, Ubuntu Server is probably the easiest to setup.

    I use WampServer on Win10 Home for my development server :)
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 668
    Win 10 pro
       #5

    Apache can do almost everything, more versatile, more modules ...
    NGINX is for more specific applications but to do all things that apache can do you
    will have to code whats laking yourself, they can be used together (apache + NGINX),
    IF you'll need nginix extra boost.
    I would say use apache and when (and IF) you'll hit performance issue then start thinkink about nginx.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Hi everybody

    Thanks for your replies

    I think as I'm starting in a small way and have decent Linux experience I'll go with LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL . PHP). I will be using the website for my Custom Vinyl Record service which is beginning to need a bit more sensible admin than "Snail Mail". The volumes will be small to start with -- so converting later might be an option --.

    I'll use a bespoke Shopping cart application-- I can get a decent secure SSL subscription for about 75 USD a year -- these days especially if you want to use Paypal / credit card receipts you will need HTTPS plus encryption -- otherwise things can get hacked and when there's money involved you can never be too careful. It probably is best to stick with a system one has some experience with rather than try a new system - especially if you want customers on your site !!!!

    I'll keep CENTOS as the OS for the web site server -- that OS I have experience with and can replicate the site at home.


    Once I'm up and running I'll post the site !!

    Cheers - and thanks

    Jimbo
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 668
    Win 10 pro
       #7

    jimbo45 said:
    Hi everybody

    I think as I'm starting in a small way and have decent Linux experience I'll go with LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL . PHP).
    If possible consider using PostgreSQL (that would substitute MySQL), I find it a very mature and professional DB software.

    jimbo45 said:
    Once I'm up and running I'll post the site !!
    nice
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 10,734
    Windows 11 Workstation x64
       #8

    Jimbo, if your using CentOS then have a look at CentminMod.com LEMP Fully Optimized Nginx web stack for CentOS the guy behind it is really good.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
    Thread Starter
       #9

    z3r010 said:
    Jimbo, if your using CentOS then have a look at CentminMod.com LEMP Fully Optimized Nginx web stack for CentOS the guy behind it is really good.
    Hi there
    @z3r010
    Thanks Great Info.

    I'll have a go with that too.

    Looks great -- that guy seems very professional too --- great thing about VM's is one can try different solutions !!!

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


 

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