How to install and configure nginx in CentOS 7 / RHEL 7?

Step 1 – Configure Nginx repo for CentOS 7

$ vi /etc/yum.repos.d/nginx.repo

Append following for CentOS 7.x:

[nginx]
name=nginx repo
baseurl=http://nginx.org/packages/mainline/centos/7/$basearch/
gpgcheck=0
enabled=1Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

Step 2 – Configure Nginx repo for RHEL 7

A note about configuring Nginx repo for RHEL 7

Create or edit file using vi text editor:
$ vi /etc/yum.repos.d/nginx.repo

Append following for RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux) version 7.x:

[nginx]
name=nginx repo
baseurl=http://nginx.org/packages/mainline/rhel/7/$basearch/
gpgcheck=0
enabled=1
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

Step 3 – Install Nginx on CentOS 7 & RHEL 7

To install latest stable nginx server, run the following yum command:
$ sudo yum update
$ sudo yum install nginx

Step 4 – Start/stop/restart nginx server

$ sudo systemctl enable nginx
$ sudo systemctl start nginx
$ sudo systemctl stop nginx
$ sudo systemctl restart nginx
$ sudo systemctl status nginx

Step 5 – Open port 80 and 443 using firewall-cmd

You must open and enable port 80 and 443 using the firewall-cmd command:
$ sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --zone=public --add-service=http
$ sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --zone=public --add-service=https
$ sudo firewall-cmd --reloadCode language: PHP (php)

Step 6 – Test it

Verify that port 80 or 443 opened using ss command:
$ sudo ss -tulpn

You can also use the curl command to get same info using the cli:
$ curl -I http://10.21.136.13
$ curl http://10.21.136.13Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

Step 7 – Configure Nginx server

- Config dir – /etc/nginx/
- Master/Global config file – /etc/nginx/nginx.conf
- Port 80 http config file – /etc/nginx/conf.d/default
- TCP ports opened by Nginx – 80 (HTTP), 443 (HTTPS)
- Document root directory – /usr/share/nginx/html

To edit files use a text editor such as vi
$ sudo vi /etc/nginx/conf.d/default

You can upload or copy your html/css/js and images to /usr/share/nginx/html/
$ cd /usr/share/nginx/html/
$ sudo cp /backups/theos.in/*.html .
$ sudo cp /backups/theos.in/*.css .Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

Rajesh Kumar

I’m Rajesh Kumar, a DevOps, SRE, DevSecOps, Cloud, and Platform Engineering expert passionate about sharing practical knowledge, real-world experiences, and industry best practices. I have worked at Cotocus and regularly write about technology, travel, investing, health, product reviews, and digital marketing through my various platforms.

I publish technical articles at DevOps School, travel stories at Holiday Landmark, stock market insights at Stocks Mantra, health and fitness guidance at My Medic Plus, product reviews at TrueReviewNow, and SEO and digital marketing strategies at Wizbrand.