Nginx UI: A Simple Solution for Managing Nginx

In the world of server management, Nginx has long been one of the most popular web servers and reverse proxies due to its high performance and flexibility. However, managing Nginx through .conf files can be complex, especially for those unfamiliar with command-line tools.

===> This is where Nginx UI comes in, offering an intuitive web interface to manage Nginx with ease. In this blog post, we’ll explore what Nginx UI is, the information it provides, how to install it, and its practical uses.

What is Nginx UI?

Nginx UI is an open-source tool that provides a web-based interface for managing and monitoring Nginx servers. Designed to simplify Nginx configuration and operations, Nginx UI allows users to perform tasks like setting up proxies, managing SSL certificates, monitoring server performance, and checking logs without directly editing configuration files.

It works by interacting with Nginx configuration files (such as nginx.conf or files in sites-available/sites-enabled) and the Nginx service on your system. Nginx UI also supports modern features like integration with Let's Encrypt for automatic SSL certificate generation, making HTTPS management easier than ever.

Website: https://nginxui.com/

NGINX UI Feature

Nginx UI offers a comprehensive dashboard that displays key information for managing and monitoring your server. Specifically, it includes:

• Proxy Configuration: Easily create and manage reverse proxies, forward proxies, or routing rules for domains and applications.
• SSL Certificate Management: Supports integration with Let's Encrypt for automatic SSL certificate issuance and renewal, plus the ability to manage custom certificates.
• Server Performance Monitoring:
  • Tracks CPU, RAM, and disk usage.
  • Shows Nginx status (running, stopped, or errors).
  • Displays information about active connections.
• Log Management: View and analyze Nginx access logs and error logs, making it simple to detect issues or monitor traffic.
• Nginx Configuration: Edit Nginx configurations directly through the web interface, including blocks like http, server, and location.
• Service Management: Start, stop, or reload Nginx directly from the interface.
• System Information: Provides details about the operating system, Nginx version, and hardware specs.

The Nginx UI interface is designed to be user-friendly, with charts and tables that let you quickly understand your system’s status without needing to use commands like top, htop, or manually read logs.

How to Install Nginx UI

Installing Nginx UI is straightforward, especially if you’re familiar with Docker or manual setup on operating systems like Ubuntu, CentOS, or other Linux-based systems. Below, we’ll guide you through installing Nginx UI using Docker Compose.

Prerequisites

• Operating System: Linux (Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, etc.), Windows, or macOS.
• Nginx: Must be installed and configured on your system.
• Docker (optional): Required if you’re using Docker for deployment.
• Root or sudo access: Needed for installation and configuration.

Installation via Docker Compose (Recommended)

Open a terminal on your system and create a project folder

mkdir nginx-ui-prj
cd nginx-ui-prj

Create a docker-compose.yml file: touch docker-compose.yml

Add the necessary configuration to the docker-compose.yml file

services:
  nginx-ui:
    stdin_open: true
    tty: true
    container_name: nginx-ui
    restart: always
    environment:
      - TZ=Asia/Shanghai
    volumes:
      - '/mnt/user/appdata/nginx:/etc/nginx'
      - '/mnt/user/appdata/nginx-ui:/etc/nginx-ui'
      - '/var/www:/var/www'
      - '/var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock'
    ports:
      - 8080:80
      - 8443:443
    image: 'uozi/nginx-ui:latest'

Pull the required images and start Nginx UI: docker compose up -d

Once the command in step 4 completes, open a browser and navigate to http://<server-IP>:8080.
At this point, Nginx UI will scan for necessary conditions. Follow the on-screen steps to create an admin account, and you’re done!

Important Notes

• Ensure Nginx is installed and running before using Nginx UI.
• If using Docker, verify access permissions for the /etc/nginx and /var/log/nginx directories.
• Configure your firewall to open port 8080(or the port you choose).

Benefits of Nginx UI

Nginx UI brings many advantages, especially for those who want to manage Nginx without diving deep into command-line tasks:

• Simplified Configuration Management: No need to manually edit .conf files. You can create and manage proxy settings, SSL, or location blocks through the web interface.
• Automated SSL: Integration with Let's Encrypt automates SSL certificate issuance and renewal, saving time compared to manually using tools like Certbot.
• Easy Monitoring: Provides real-time insights into server performance and logs, helping you quickly identify issues.
• Beginner-Friendly: Even those unfamiliar with Nginx syntax can configure servers easily thanks to the intuitive interface.
• Increased Productivity: Admins save time when managing multiple domains or applications on a single server.

Practical Applications of Nginx UI

• Managing Reverse Proxies for Multiple Applications:
  If you’re running multiple web applications (e.g., WordPress, Node.js, or Flask) on the same server, Nginx UI makes it easy to set up reverse proxies to route traffic to each application based on domain or path.
  Example: Route app1.example.com to a Node.js app on port 3000 and app2.example.com to a Python app on port 5000.
• Enabling HTTPS for Websites:
  With Let's Encrypt integration, Nginx UI lets you enable HTTPS for your website with just a few clicks, perfect for personal projects or small businesses without a dedicated DevOps team.
• Server Monitoring for Small Projects:
  Freelancers or small development teams can use Nginx UI to monitor server performance and logs without needing complex tools like Prometheus or Grafana.
• Managing Multiple Domains on One Server:
  If you manage multiple websites on a single VPS (e.g., DigitalOcean, AWS Lightsail), Nginx UI simplifies adding, editing, or removing configurations for each domain without manually editing config files.
• Learning and Experimenting with Nginx:
  Beginners learning system administration can use Nginx UI to get familiar with how Nginx works without worrying about complex configuration syntax.

Conclusion

Nginx UI is an excellent tool for simplifying Nginx management, from configuring proxies and managing SSL certificates to monitoring performance and logs. With its user-friendly web interface, Let's Encrypt integration, and support for both Docker and manual installation, Nginx UI is suitable for both beginners and experienced admins. Whether you’re running a personal website, managing multiple apps on a VPS, or need a quick way to enable HTTPS, Nginx UI can save you time and effort.

Try installing Nginx UI today and see how it makes managing Nginx easier than ever! If you have questions or need specific guidance, feel free to leave a comment below.

Thanks for reading!