Default Configuration for Debian Server (Node.js + Nginx)

Server Preparation

Run these commands (as root) to update all dependencies and reboot:

apt update && apt upgrade -y
apt autoremove -y
apt autoclean -y
reboot

Install required packages:

apt install -y curl wget apt-transport-https git

Create a user for your project:

adduser APP_USER

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Installing Node.js

To install Node.js using NVM, run:

cd ~
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.1/install.sh | bash

# Use the desired Node.js version
nvm use 22

Tip: If you need another version, replace 22 with the required version number.

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Installing Nginx

apt install -y nginx

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Installing MySQL

Add the MySQL repository and install MySQL:

wget http://repo.mysql.com/mysql-apt-config_0.8.14-1_all.deb
apt update
apt install -y mysql-server

Run the MySQL secure installation wizard:

mysql_secure_installation

Create a database and a user:

mysql

Run the following commands inside MySQL:

CREATE DATABASE YOUR_DB_NAME COLLATE utf8_general_ci;
CREATE USER 'YOUR_DB_USERNAME'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'YOUR_DB_PASSWORD';
GRANT SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, CREATE, DROP, INDEX, ALTER, CREATE TEMPORARY TABLES, SHOW VIEW ON YOUR_DB_NAME.* TO 'YOUR_DB_USERNAME'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

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Installing PostgreSQL

Install PostgreSQL:

apt install -y postgresql postgresql-contrib

Ensure the service is running:

systemctl start postgresql

Create a PostgreSQL user and database:

sudo -u postgres createuser --interactive
sudo -u postgres createdb DB_NAME

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Installing Redis

apt install -y redis-server

Set a Redis password:

nano /etc/redis/redis.conf

Uncomment requirepass and set your password:

requirepass YOUR_PASSWORD

Restart Redis:

systemctl restart redis

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Installing PM2

npm install -g pm2

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Installing Yarn

npm install -g yarn

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Deploying the Project on the Server

Pre-Deployment Steps

• Create a MySQL or PostgreSQL database for your project (with superuser permissions).
• If using Nginx for proxy forwarding, update the default configuration file:

nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/default

Add the following configuration:

server {
  listen 80;
  server_name myapp.com; # Replace with your domain

  location / {
      proxy_pass http://localhost:3000; # Change to your app's port
      proxy_http_version 1.1;
      proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
      proxy_set_header Connection 'upgrade';
      proxy_set_header Host $host;
      proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
      proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
      proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
      proxy_cache_bypass $http_upgrade;
  }
}

Enhancing Security: Disable Server Signature

1. Install nginx-extras:

   apt install -y nginx-extras

2. Edit Nginx configuration:

   nano /etc/nginx/nginx.conf

   Add the following:

   http {
       more_set_headers "Server: Your_New_Server_Name";
       server_tokens off;
   }

3. Restart Nginx:

   systemctl restart nginx

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Uploading Project Files

Log in with the project user and pull the latest files from the repository:

git pull YOUR_REPOSITORY_ADDRESS

Install dependencies using your package manager:

npm install
# or
yarn install

Set environment variables (typically in a .env file):

nano .env

Run the application with PM2:

pm install -g pm2
pm2 start app.js --name your_app_name

Or using Docker Compose:

docker compose --profile profile_name up -d --build

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Notes

• Default application port: 3000
• Default domain: myapp.com

This guide ensures a robust, production-ready setup for your Node.js application on a Debian server. 🚀