winsw nginx

Introduction

Winsw is a wrapper, designed to make Windows services out of non-service applications. For example, turning an application like Nginx into a Windows service, can be a daunting task. But with winsw, this becomes possible without additional coding or scripting.

What is Nginx?

Nginx (pronounced "engine-x") is an open-source web server, which also doubles as a reverse proxy, mail proxy, and HTTP cache. It's popular among web developers due to its performance, reliability, and ease of configuration.

Why Use Winsw for Nginx?

As mentioned, turning an application into a Windows service can be challenging if you're not familiar with the inner workings of services. For example, you would have to ensure that the application starts automatically with the operating system, that it restarts if it crashes, and that it logs its activities to the event viewer. These are things a service wrapper like winsw handles for you.

Installing Winsw for Nginx

The first step in installing winsw would be to download the latest version from the official repository on Github. You should then create a folder called 'wrapper' inside the main Nginx folder, where you'll extract the contents of the downloaded zip file. Once done, you can then modify the 'nginx-service.xml' file to suit your preferences. This includes the service name, description, log folder, and Nginx executable path.

Running Nginx as a Service with Winsw

The next step would be to install the Nginx service using the 'install' parameter. This can be done by opening a command prompt with administrative privileges, navigating to the 'wrapper' folder, and running the command "nginx-service.exe install". If successful, you should see a message saying the service was installed successfully. You can then start the service using the Windows Service Manager or by running the command "nginx-service.exe start" from the command prompt.

Conclusion

By using winsw to turn Nginx into a Windows service, you can save time and effort that would have gone into service creation. This ensures that the service starts automatically, restarts if it crashes, and logs its activities accordingly. The installation and usage process is also straightforward, making it accessible to developers of all levels.