Nginx · December 19, 2023

Nginx Tip - Configure a default server for unmatched server names

Nginx Tip - Configure a default server for unmatched server names

Nginx is a popular web server that is known for its high performance, scalability, and flexibility. It is widely used to serve static content, reverse proxy, and load balance web applications. One of the key features of Nginx is its ability to handle multiple server names or virtual hosts on a single IP address. In this article, we will explore how to configure a default server for unmatched server names in Nginx.

Understanding server names in Nginx

In Nginx, server names are used to identify different virtual hosts. A server name can be a domain name, an IP address, or a wildcard pattern. When a client makes a request to the server, Nginx matches the server name specified in the request to the server blocks defined in the configuration file. If a match is found, Nginx serves the content from the corresponding server block. However, if no match is found, Nginx serves the content from the default server block.

Configuring a default server

To configure a default server for unmatched server names in Nginx, you need to define a server block with the default_server parameter. This server block will be used to serve the content when no other server block matches the server name in the request.

Here's an example configuration:

server {
    listen 80 default_server;
    server_name _;
    root /var/www/default;
    index index.html;
}

In this example, the server block listens on port 80 and has the default_server parameter set. The server_name is set to an underscore (_) which acts as a wildcard and matches any server name that doesn't have a specific server block defined. The root directive specifies the root directory for serving the content, and the index directive specifies the default file to be served.

Make sure to replace "/var/www/default" with the actual path to your default content directory.

Testing the configuration

After configuring the default server, you need to test the configuration to ensure it works as expected. You can use the following command to check the syntax of your Nginx configuration:

nginx -t

If the syntax is correct, you can reload the Nginx configuration to apply the changes:

nginx -s reload

Now, when a client makes a request with an unmatched server name, Nginx will serve the content from the default server block.

Summary

Configuring a default server for unmatched server names in Nginx is a useful technique to handle requests that don't match any specific server block. By defining a server block with the default_server parameter, you can ensure that Nginx serves the content from the default server block when no other match is found. This feature enhances the flexibility and reliability of your web server configuration.

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