Efficient Node.js Hosting: Running Multiple Sites on Ubuntu Server using PM2 and Node.js

In this article, we will see how to host multiple Node.js sites on a single server using PM2 and Nginx.

Install the Dependencies

• Node.js: https://nodejs.org/en/download
• MongoDB (if needed): https://www.mongodb.com/docs/manual/administration/install-on-linux/
• PM2: npm install pm2 — global
• Nginx: sudo apt install nginx

Run the server Programs

Here we have some sites that we should host

Each folders have a server.js file that we will run to start the site. Assign different ports for all the program to run. I my case, I choose ports 8001- 8004. Using PM2 start the server:

pm2 start server.js --name <alias>

Do this for all the sites. To view the status:

pm2 status

Once all of your sites are enabled, It’s time to start configuring the nginx.

Configuring Nginx

Navigate the nginx folder

cd /etc/nginx

Go to conf.d folder and create a new file with .conf extension

cd conf.d
touch new_sites.conf

Now lets create a new server block for all our sites

nano new_sites.conf

server {
 listen 80;
 server_name <domain1>;
 
 location / {
  proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
  proxy_pass http://localhost:8001;
 }
}

server {
        listen 80;    
        server_name <domain2>;
        
        location / {
                proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
                proxy_pass http://localhost:8002;
        }
}

server {
        listen 80;    
        server_name <domain3>;
        
        location / {
                proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
                proxy_pass http://localhost:8003;
        }
}

server {
        listen 80;
        server_name <domain4>;

        location / {
                proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
                proxy_pass http://localhost:8004;
        }
}

save the file and exit.

Run the Nginx test

nginx -t

Once you see this output, you are good to go and can restart the Nginx service:

systemctl reload nginx.service

You have successfully hosted multiple Node.js sites on a single server.

Happy Hacking !