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I'd like to run node on port 80 (to allow the user to access a site without having to type a port number, and to avoid problems with socket.io when nginx then translates the port number from 80 into another port).

Is it possible to run node on port 80 with Webfaction?

asked Oct 31 '11 at 08:50

AnnaPS's gravatar image

AnnaPS
65111


No, we cannot give out port numbers below 1024, but many of our customers are using their node.js behind our frontend nginx server without any problem

If you are having issues with socket.io please let us know by raising a support ticket via our ticketing system or via the 'Support' menu item in the control panel.

answered Oct 31 '11 at 09:06

iliasr's gravatar image

iliasr ♦♦
7763

edited Oct 31 '11 at 09:41

seanf's gravatar image

seanf ♦♦
59891220

Yes, I'm using socket.io with node.js. I'd like to have a URL without a port number, but I think that nginx port translation means this is impossible. Fundamentally, can you tell me, is it possible to run node.js + socket.io without specifying the port number in the URL on Webfaction?

(Oct 31 '11 at 12:29) AnnaPS AnnaPS's gravatar image

No, sorry. "without specifying the port number" means that you'd be using the default port (80). Port 80 is used by the front-end Nginx proxy which runs in front of all customer sites.

The fundamental problem with running a Websocket server behind Nginx is that Nginx doesn't speak HTTP 1.1 on the back end. Socket.io and other websocket servers require HTTP 1.1, so running them behind Nginx simply does not work.

(Oct 31 '11 at 13:09) seanf ♦♦ seanf's gravatar image

OK, no worries, thanks for clarifying!

(Nov 01 '11 at 06:18) AnnaPS AnnaPS's gravatar image

I don't suppose you could use tcp_proxy as described here? http://www.letseehere.com/reverse-proxy-web-sockets

(Nov 01 '11 at 07:19) AnnaPS AnnaPS's gravatar image

Sorry but this won't be possible either - it requires a custom Nginx module; furthermore we cannot include custom directives in the Nginx configuration file either.

(Nov 01 '11 at 07:30) todork todork's gravatar image

Thanks anyway.

(Nov 01 '11 at 08:08) AnnaPS AnnaPS's gravatar image
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Asked: Oct 31 '11 at 08:50

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Last updated: Nov 01 '11 at 08:08

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