Part 2: Advanced Server Configuration - Web Servers, Network, and Memory Optimization

Let’s dive deeper into configuring your Raspberry Pi for server-like tasks, covering web servers, network accessibility, and memory optimization.

Step 1: Installing and Configuring a Web Server (Nginx or Apache2 - Choose One!)

Why? To host websites, web applications, or APIs.

• Nginx:
  • Pros:
    • High performance: Excellent for serving static content and handling many concurrent connections.
    • Efficient: Low resource consumption.
    • Reverse proxy: Useful for load balancing and caching.
  • Cons:
    • Steeper learning curve for complex configurations.
    • Fewer modules compared to Apache2.
  • Applications:
    • High-traffic websites.
    • Reverse proxy servers.
    • API gateways.
  • Installation:

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      sudo apt update
      sudo apt install nginx -y
      sudo systemctl enable nginx
      sudo systemctl start nginx
    

  • Verification: Access your Raspberry Pi’s IP address in a web browser.
• Apache2:
  • Pros:
    • Highly customizable: Extensive module support.
    • Easy to configure: User-friendly configuration files.
    • Large community support.
  • Cons:
    • Higher resource consumption.
    • Can be less performant under heavy load.
  • Applications:
    • Dynamic websites (e.g., WordPress).
    • Web applications requiring specific modules.
    • Development servers.
  • Installation:

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      sudo apt update
      sudo apt install apache2 -y
      sudo systemctl enable apache2
      sudo systemctl start apache2
    

  • Verification: Access your Raspberry Pi’s IP address in a web browser.

  Important: Choose either Nginx or Apache2, not both, to avoid port conflicts.

Step 2: Enabling pihostname.local (Avahi/Bonjour)

Why? To simplify local network access.

• Pros:
  • User-friendly: Access via hostname, not IP.
  • Automatic discovery.
• Cons:
  • Limited to local network.
  • relies on avahi being installed and running.
• Applications:
  • Simplified local network administration.
  • Easy access to Raspberry Pi services from other local devices.
• Installation:

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    sudo apt install avahi-daemon -y
  

• Usage: ssh pi@pihostname.local or http://pihostname.local.

Step 3: Upgrading Swap Memory

Why? To improve system stability and performance when RAM is insufficient.

• Pros:
  • Prevents out-of-memory errors.
  • Allows running more applications.
• Cons:
  • Slower performance compared to RAM.
  • May reduce SD card lifespan with excessive use.
• Applications:
  • Running memory-intensive applications.
  • Hosting multiple services.
  • Compiling large projects.
• Checking Current Swap:

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    sudo swapon --show
    free -h
  

• Editing Swap Configuration:

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    sudo nano /etc/dphys-swapfile
  

  Modify CONF_SWAPSIZE.

• Restarting Swap:

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    sudo /etc/init.d/dphys-swapfile stop
    sudo /etc/init.d/dphys-swapfile start
  

• Verifying New Swap:

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    sudo swapon --show
    free -h
  

Step 4: Using No-IP for Dynamic DNS

Why? To access your Raspberry Pi from the internet with a dynamic IP address.

• Pros:
  • Remote access from anywhere.
  • Consistent hostname.
• Cons:
  • Requires a third-party service.
  • Security risks if not configured properly.
• Applications:
  • Remote web server access.
  • Remote SSH access.
  • Remote home automation server.
• No-IP Account and Hostname: Create an account and add a hostname.
• No-IP Dynamic Update Client:

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    wget [http://www.noip.com/client/linux/noip-duc-linux.tar.gz](http://www.noip.com/client/linux/noip-duc-linux.tar.gz)
    tar xzf noip-duc-linux.tar.gz
    cd noip-2.1.9-1/ # Version number may differ
    sudo make install
  

• No-IP Client Configuration:

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    sudo noip2 -C
  

• Starting the Client:

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    sudo noip2
  

• Auto-Start on Boot: Add /usr/local/bin/noip2 to /etc/rc.local.
• Router Port Forwarding: Configure port forwarding to your Raspberry Pi.