I am using the NGINX web server as my web server, especially to run PHP applications and Python. The main reason that I am using NGINX in these environments is micro caching. NGINX is a lightweight web server.
Linux System Administrator at a comms service provider with 51-200 employees
A lightweight web server which can be used for micro caching and load balancing
Pros and Cons
- "NGINX works much better than HAProxy in our current hardware and architecture for HTTP/HTTPS load balancing. "
- "If NGINX brings some features for health check in the open source version, it would be better. "
What is our primary use case?
How has it helped my organization?
Writing rules and configurations in NGINX can be more handy than Apache. Another usage is as a load balancer. NGINX works much better than HAProxy in our current hardware and architecture for HTTP/HTTPS load balancing.
What is most valuable?
Because of our usage:
- Micro cache
- Rate limit
- Upstream (load balancing).
What needs improvement?
If NGINX brings some features for health check in the open source version, it would be better.
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Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
First, I used NGINX as a reverse proxy web server for Apache.
What other advice do I have?
I love NGINX, which is why I am rating it as a 10 out of 10.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Linux System Administrator at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
The robust software architecture allows for it to be scalable and very stable
Pros and Cons
- "The robust software architecture allows for it to be scalable and very stable."
- "The flexibility of its modules allow it to be scalable."
- "Zero Downtime has always been a strength in recommending infrastructure web services. NGINX allows me to execute such infrastructure with less complications and the ability to switch from server to server easily."
- "Make modules easier to enable or disable. The beauty and ugly side of the NGINX modules is you have to know how to compile the module. For beginners or non-very technical aspirant(s) going for NGINX, they have to learn how to compile the modules."
What is our primary use case?
NGINX has been primarily used as a web server, which is also used as a load balancer. The robust software architecture allows for it to be scalable and very stable.
How has it helped my organization?
Zero Downtime has always been a strength in recommending infrastructure web services. NGINX allows me to execute such infrastructure with less complications and the ability to switch from server to server easily.
What is most valuable?
NGINX's multi-thread compatibility has been the integral part of it being a robust enterprise solution.
What needs improvement?
Make modules easier to enable or disable. The beauty and ugly side of the NGINX modules is you have to know how to compile the module. For beginners or non-very technical aspirant(s) going for NGINX, they have to learn how to compile the modules.
For how long have I used the solution?
Three to five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The flexibility of its modules allow it to be scalable. You just have to know how to integrate them with various enterprise scenarios.
What about the implementation team?
I have been using NGINX for five years. I have implemented various NGINX solutions to different client requirements.
What other advice do I have?
I have no problems with it. Its stability is what makes it very much recommended as a solution for any enterprise to utilize.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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NGINX Plus
November 2024
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Information Security Team Leader at a energy/utilities company with 10,001+ employees
Stable and reliable against DoS and DDoS attacks
Pros and Cons
- "When I worked in a security research center, we tested NGINX to support DoS and DDoS attacks, and its results were great."
- "I would like it to have a more user-friendly graphical interface."
What is our primary use case?
We are using NGINX to provide a reverse proxy in an environment of web services.
How has it helped my organization?
The product is free, reliable, and safe.
When I worked in a security research center, we tested NGINX to support DoS and DDoS attacks, and its results were great.
What is most valuable?
It is reliable.
What needs improvement?
I would like it to have a more user-friendly graphical interface.
For how long have I used the solution?
More than five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
No issues yet.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
No issues yet.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We used Microsoft ForeFront and changed because it was not stable during DDoS attacks.
How was the initial setup?
It was a simple setup.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
NGINX is a free tool in Brazil. There are some companies which do support it. The price is the cost to contract support with a specialized company, usually during consulting hours.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
No.
What other advice do I have?
I have been using it for eight years.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Lead Engineer at a tech services company
Simple To Configure And Very Stable In A Highly Utilized Environment
Pros and Cons
- "Nginx is simple to configure, very stable in a highly utilized environment and very modular, allowing DevOps to create it's own modules for interactive use with Nginx."
- "Only improvement needed that I would point to is scalability. With it, I mean clusterized organisation on a low level. At the moment, the best alternative is RHEL HA."
What is most valuable?
Simplicity, stability, and modularity. Because, if you are familiar with Apache, you will know why my first reason is simplicity. Nginx is simple to configure, very stable in a highly utilized environment and very modular, allowing DevOps to create it's own modules for interactive use with Nginx.
How has it helped my organization?
It lowered overall bugs and increased system stability. Also, it allowed our system to serve many more clients than the old system did.
What needs improvement?
Only improvement needed that I would point to is scalability. With it, I mean clusterized organisation on a low level. At the moment, the best alternative is RHEL HA.
For how long have I used the solution?
Around four to five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
No.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Yes. As I explained in areas for improvement.
How are customer service and technical support?
I have no experience with the Nginx technical team.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Yes, Apache. It was terribly complex for usage and unstable in a production environment.
How was the initial setup?
Complex. It needed a complete product rework.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I have no advice. Nginx is free. I don't have experience with the Plus version.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
No.
What other advice do I have?
Use community knowledge. Nginx is widely used worldwide and there are many experts on the web that will help you out. Also, read the documentation. Its documentation is excellent.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Updated: November 2024
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