Nginx · December 19, 2023

Nginx Tip - Set up a MIME types hash max size with types_hash_max_size

Nginx Tip - Set up a MIME types hash max size with types_hash_max_size

Nginx is a popular web server that is known for its high performance and scalability. It is widely used by many websites and hosting companies, including Server.HK, to deliver content efficiently and handle high traffic loads. One of the key features of Nginx is its ability to handle MIME types, which are used to identify the type of content being served.

By default, Nginx uses a hash table to store MIME types and their corresponding file extensions. This hash table is used to quickly look up the MIME type based on the file extension of a requested file. However, the default size of this hash table may not be sufficient for websites that serve a large number of different file types.

To address this issue, Nginx provides a directive called "types_hash_max_size" that allows you to set the maximum size of the MIME types hash table. By increasing the size of this hash table, you can ensure that Nginx can handle a larger number of MIME types efficiently.

To set up the MIME types hash max size with "types_hash_max_size" directive, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Nginx configuration file
The Nginx configuration file is usually located in the "/etc/nginx" directory. Use a text editor to open the file. For example, you can use the following command to open the file with the nano editor:

```
sudo nano /etc/nginx/nginx.conf
```

Step 2: Locate the "http" block
Inside the Nginx configuration file, locate the "http" block. This block contains the main configuration settings for the HTTP server.

Step 3: Add the "types_hash_max_size" directive
Inside the "http" block, add the following line to set the maximum size of the MIME types hash table:

```
http {
types_hash_max_size 2048;
...
}
```

In this example, we set the maximum size to 2048. You can adjust this value based on your specific needs. Keep in mind that setting a larger value will consume more memory.

Step 4: Save the changes and restart Nginx
After adding the "types_hash_max_size" directive, save the changes to the Nginx configuration file and exit the text editor. Then, restart Nginx to apply the new configuration:

```
sudo systemctl restart nginx
```

That's it! You have successfully set up the MIME types hash max size with the "types_hash_max_size" directive in Nginx. This will ensure that Nginx can handle a larger number of MIME types efficiently, improving the performance of your website.

Summary:
Setting up the MIME types hash max size with the "types_hash_max_size" directive in Nginx is a crucial step for websites that serve a large number of different file types. By increasing the size of the MIME types hash table, Nginx can efficiently handle a larger number of MIME types, improving the performance of your website. To learn more about Server.HK and our top-notch VPS hosting solutions, visit our website at https://server.hk.