The Apache/nginx architecture

Hi,

I'm wondering how Webfaction is set up from the inside. I've got to write a thesis for the end of my studies.

I found that website ( http://lethain.com/overview-of-single-vs-multi-server-architecture/ ) showing several different schemas of possible architecture. Webfaction probably uses one of them. If that's the case, just telling me which one it is will greatly help me. If the architecture is not amongst them, then a small paragraph (or better: a quick ugly png like the ones on that website that corresponds to the one that Webfaction runs on).

Best regards,

Sam

apache nginx architecture

asked Jul 26 '12 at 18:14

sgiffard
3●1

2 Answers:

oldest newest most voted

Here you go:

webfaction web server setup

More info here. Hope that helps!

answered Jul 26 '12 at 18:30

seanf ♦♦
5599●1●2●20

Thank you!

However, I'm not sure I read this schema properly.

If I've got only a django app, a django-socketio custom app (which runs on gevent (greenlet/libevent)), a static and a media app, the "System Apache" in my case would be non-existent? The "User Zope" is obviously not there, same for the "User Paster daemon". Then... my custom app would run either on "User Nginx" (because of the event based architecture), or on the "User Apache" (because of Django, and in a way, it's a Django app as well), or on "System Apache" (because a custom app might just be a CGI script).

So, between these three possibilities, 2 are probably totally stupid and one is the right one. Any idea?

And the rest of my deductions were correct?

Regards, Sam

(Jul 26 '12 at 20:19) sgiffard

Hi,

When you run a Django app, you have a private Apache instance running under your own user, so the frontend Nginx server would forward requests to your own Apache server that would process the HTTP requests. The requests to the apps mapped to the static/media apps would be processed directly through Nginx.

I hope this explains how the system works. If you have any additional questions, please let us know.

(Jul 27 '12 at 10:07) todork

Just ignore the items in the center column that don't apply to your stack.

(Jul 27 '12 at 11:15) seanf ♦♦

Hi,

Thank you for this answer. Basically, you clarified Django, media and static (which I already got right, so it's good to know for sure I was correct ^^ that's nice :) ). However, my custom app that listen on a different port... where does it go on that schema?

Regards,

Samuel

answered Jul 27 '12 at 13:30

sgiffard
3●1

If your custom app that listen on a different port is serving a website, then it would be another box in the center column (ie, a back-end web server).

(Jul 27 '12 at 13:43) seanf ♦♦

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Asked: Jul 26 '12 at 18:14

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Last updated: Jul 27 '12 at 13:43

The Apache/nginx architecture

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