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Embedding site-builder pages into your site via NGINX

2025-10-12

Integrating a page created in an external website builder into your domain allows you to extend functionality and maintain a consistent interface style. This article explains how to use an NGINX reverse proxy to embed pages from an external service (for example, example.website-builder.com) into your site your-main-site.com at paths /path1/ and /path2/.


⚙️ How it works

NGINX forwards requests from your domain to the external site, acting as an intermediary between the user and the builder service.

116 | LAMP or LEMP? Exploring web stacks and discovering a cool hybrid approach!

2025-10-07

Hello, aspiring web developer! 👋
If you’re just diving into the world of building websites, you’ve probably already heard of LAMP and LEMP. These acronyms sound like something out of a spy movie, but in reality they are the foundation of most dynamic websites you use every day.

In this article we’ll break down what LAMP and LEMP are, how they differ, where they’re used, and introduce a cool hybrid stack — the Nginx and Apache combo that brings together the best of both worlds.
Ready? Let’s go! 🚀

SSL certificates via DNS: automating Let’s Encrypt issuance

2025-10-06

Introduction

Let’s Encrypt is the standard for obtaining free TLS certificates. Most often certificates are issued via the HTTP-01 method, which requires a reachable web server on port 80. However, for internal services or wildcard certificates (for example, *.example.com) it is more convenient to use DNS-01, which verifies domain ownership via TXT records in DNS and does not require open ports.

This article covers:

  • Issuing certificates via the Cloudflare API,
  • Issuing certificates via Amazon Route 53 (AWS),
  • Integration with web servers Nginx, HAProxy and Traefik,
  • Automation of certificate renewal.

Note: Instructions are relevant for Certbot 2.x, acme.sh 3.x, Nginx 1.18+, HAProxy 2.4+, Traefik 2.x on Linux (Ubuntu/Debian). For other OSes or tool versions adjustments may be required.

Moving or restoring a website for beginners: don't be afraid, it's easier than it seems

2025-10-05

Moving a website to a new server or restoring it after a failure can sound like a scary task, especially if you’re new to web development or administration. But don’t panic. With the right approach and a step-by-step plan you can handle it without stress. Below is a breakdown of the whole process: from backup to functionality checks, including ISPmanager and FreePanel panels and local testing via hosts without changing public DNS.

104 | Real-Time Revolution: Diving into the World of WebSockets and Long Polling

2025-09-12

Introduction

Modern users expect web applications to work as fast and responsive as native software. Chats, stock quotes, collaborative document editing — all these scenarios require instant data exchange. In this article, we’ll break down how Long Polling works, why it was replaced by WebSockets, and how to properly configure these technologies on popular web servers.


The Real-Time Problem and the First Solution: Long Polling

HTTP was originally designed for the request-response model: the client contacts the server, the server replies, and the connection closes. For dynamic applications, this is inconvenient.

102 | Caddy vs. Traefik vs. HAProxy vs. Nginx vs. Apache: Comparing Web Servers and Proxies

2025-09-06

Introduction

Choosing a web server and reverse proxy today depends on tasks and infrastructure. Caddy, Traefik, HAProxy, Nginx, and Apache are five popular solutions, each with its strengths and weaknesses.

In this article, we’ll compare them by key criteria: philosophy, installation, SSL, CI/CD, and complexity.


Comparison by Key Criteria

CriterionCaddyTraefikHAProxyNginxApache
PhilosophySimplicity, automatic SSLDynamic routing and Service DiscoveryHigh-performance load balancerUniversal web server and proxyClassic web server, static approach
InstallationSingle binaryContainer, requires setupSingle binary, manual configurationOS package, easy installationOS package, easy installation
SSL AutomationBuilt-in, main advantageBuilt-in, part of ecosystemNo (requires external integration, e.g., certbot)Partial (via certbot or modules)Partial (via certbot or modules)
CI/CDVery easy integrationIdeal for microservicesUsed for high-load balancingRequires manual steps, integration possibleRequires manual steps, integration possible
ComplexityLow, beginner-friendlyMedium/high, requires orchestrator knowledgeMedium, more complex configsMedium, rich ecosystemMedium, often bloated configs
PerformanceGood, but not top-tierGoodExcellent, optimized for load balancingExcellentAverage
Best Use CaseLocal development, quick MVPsDocker/Kubernetes, microservicesHigh-load systems, load balancingUniversal choice for web and proxyStatic site hosting, legacy systems

Who Is It For?

🔹 Caddy

Ideal for:

081 | The Modern Approach: CrowdSec — Crowdsourced Threat Protection

2025-08-13

Introduction: From Local Defense to Global Protection

In the previous article, we explored Fail2ban — a reliable and time-tested tool for defending against brute-force attacks. However, Fail2ban only works with local logs and has no awareness of what’s happening on other servers. In today’s environment, where cyberattacks are increasingly distributed and sophisticated, we need a smarter and more collaborative solution.

Enter CrowdSec — a modern, open-source Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) that leverages a crowdsourced approach to build a global threat intelligence network.

045 | FastPanel: A Powerful and User-Friendly Control Panel for Efficient Server Management

2025-07-07


Introduction to FastPanel

In the market of free server control panels, FastPanel stands out as a powerful and modern solution offering a wide range of features without compromising on performance. Unlike lightweight options aimed at minimal setups, FastPanel seeks to deliver full functionality comparable to paid alternatives, while remaining free for personal use and small projects. If you’re looking for a panel that combines rich features, high performance, and an intuitive interface to manage your VPS or dedicated server, FastPanel is an excellent choice.

044 | Hestia Control Panel: A Powerful and Free Alternative

2025-07-06

Introduction to Hestia Control Panel

If you’re looking for a powerful, modern, and completely free control panel for your VPS or dedicated server, Hestia Control Panel (HestiaCP) is one of the best options available. HestiaCP is a fork of the once-popular but now inactive VestaCP and is actively developed by the community. It offers an excellent feature set focused on performance and security. It’s a perfect fit for individual developers, freelancers, small businesses, and anyone who wants full control over their server without extra costs.

028 | Proxy Servers in Action: Nginx — A Powerful Reverse Proxy and Web Server

2025-06-20

In the previous article, we explored the general principles of proxy servers and their classification. Now it’s time to dive into specific solutions, and we’ll start with Nginx (pronounced “engine-x”) — one of the most popular and high-performance web servers and a powerful reverse proxy. Nginx plays a key role in modern web infrastructure, powering millions of websites worldwide.


What is Nginx?

Nginx is a free, open-source software that was originally developed as a web server to solve the C10k problem (handling a large number of simultaneous connections). Over time, its functionality has expanded significantly, and today Nginx is widely used as: