If data storage, archiving and data on-demand are imperative for your business, then you need a solution that works. Whether it’s on-site or offsite depends on your preferences.

In this article, we’ll take a quick look at the pros and cons of both, thus providing you with the appropriate information so you can make an informed decision.

Pros and Cons of Offsite Data Storage

Trusting another entity to take care of your highly sensitive and valuable data is a scary idea for any business. But, this is exactly what cloud storage asks you to do. But it does have some considerable benefits.

Low Upfront Cost

This is one of the best perks of offsite data. A third party like ServerMania usually a server company already has the equipment. All you have to do is pay to use the equipment.

This automatically eliminates the pretty significant costs associated with setting up your own server. This low upfront cost is very attractive to many small businesses.

Pay as You Go

How much space do you need now? That’s all you have to pay for. 4d-dc.com provides them with a low-cost option that only allows them to use up only as much space as they need.

Encourages Remote Working

Because connecting to this server usually requires internet access, using offsite servers can encourage remote working. This can further eliminate the overhead and running costs that come with keeping an office space.

This makes it great for businesses that can function without needing a physical location –software development for example.

All they have to do is connect remotely to the server. And once their work is done, backups and recently updated files are automatically backed up in the cloud.

Possible Third Party Access

While the pros seem attractive, there are the unspoken cons that have to do with third party access. All it takes to access your data, files and information is a hack attack on your cloud server. So, hackers don’t even have to know where you are.

They only need to know where your information is. Unfortunately, even with the best security, some of these cloud storage firms have been known to fall prey to repeat and relentless hack attacks.

Server Downtime Means No Access to Your Data

If the offsite data storage server is down, the chances of you getting and using your data are zero. This means if you have a deadline, and all your files are in the cloud, you won’t be able to access them when you log on.

Server storage downtimes on offsite facilities can be caused by anything, including DDoS attacks –even huge companies like Amazon and Microsoft suffer the occasional attacks.

Pros and Cons of Onsite Storage Server

Having your own server onsite or in a location you own has its many perks. For starters,

Control is Easier

With your own controlled and managed server, you can actually control your server. And because they’re just for your company, these servers aren’t as big a target as those hosted by known cloud companies.

So, you can control data inflow and outflow, monitor user access, and much more. This means that your data is more secure in-house and less prone to known vulnerabilities. If you have a lot of sensitive data and information, you need your own data storage server.

Customizable to Your Needs

The good thing about this is the flexibility it offers you in terms of customization. You can do as little as 100GB or as much as 100TB –more if you prefer. The point is you can set up servers that can handle your data without any glitches or problems.

That’s a unique advantage if you do a lot of work that requires considerable data storage –video creation and rendering, simulations and gaming come to mind.

Doesn’t Require Internet Connectivity

While this means that users or employees won’t be able to access it remotely, the truth is that it improves your security. Users will only be able to access it when they are onsite at the office. This creates a buffer/layer of extra security.

Good for Companies Not Worried About Uptime

If you don’t have a need to be consistently online in your business, or just need a data server to keep your information on, this is great. So, backups can be done at certain periods during the day –say at the close of work.

Significant Upfront Costs

This is not without its downsides. It usually costs a lot more upfront, and during the course of its usage. Some of these extra costs include the cost of space on the site, and in-house IT support staff. You don’t necessarily need this, but they can come in handy.

A reverse proxy creates an intermediate layer between the client-side request and passes it to other servers. With the emergence of NodeJs, it is very common to use this with Nginx reverse proxy. In this article, we will show you how to setup Nginx reverse proxy for nodejs on centos panel.

Nodejs is a free open source, lightweight, adaptable and effective JavaScript structure based on Chrome’s V8 JavaScript motor, and uses an occasion driven, non-blocking I/O model. Nodejs is presently all over the place and has turned out to be so famous for creating programming from sites, web applications to arrange applications and the sky is the limit from there.

Nginx is an open source, superior HTTP server, load balancer and reverse proxy. It has a direct setup language making it simple to design. In this article, we will tell the best way to design Nginx as an reverse proxy for Nodejs applications.

CentOS Web Panel – a Free Web Hosting control panel designed for quick and easy management of (Dedicated & VPS) servers minus the chore and effort to use ssh console for every time you want to do something, offers a huge number of options and features for server management in its control panel package.

1.Installing NodeJs on CentOS 7/6

This is the official repository of Nodejs, the latest nodejs and npm packages can be downloaded from here. It is always advised that you always download a stable version of any package. But you can download any version of your choice.

---------- Install Node.js v11.x ---------- 
$ curl -sL https://rpm.nodesource.com/setup_11.x 

---------- Install Node.js v10.x ----------
$ curl -sL https://rpm.nodesource.com/setup_10.x

After downloading now install Nodejs

sudo yum install nodejs -y

Check your Nodejs version

 node -v

Check your npm version

 npm -v

2. Creating a Nodejs Application

We will be creating an app called  “techrado”  and We will be assigning a port number 3000 to it.

$ cd /home/username/public_html/

$ nano app.js

Copy and paste the following code in the app.js file (replace IP_Address with your server IP).

const http = require('http');

const hostname = 'IP_Address';
const port = 3000;

const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
	res.statusCode = 200;
  	res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain');
  	res.end('Techrado App is Up and Running!\n');
});

server.listen(port, hostname, () => {
  	console.log(`Server running at http://${hostname}:${port}/`);
});

Ctrl+O and Ctrl+X

$ sudo node app.js

Now open a browser and access your application at the URL http://Ip_Address:3000.

3.Nginx Installation on CentOS

If you have installed Nginx you can check its version like this.

$ nginx -v

Otherwise, installing Nginx on Centos if it has not been installed on your server

[nginx]
name=nginx repo
baseurl=http://nginx.org/packages/centos/version/$basearch/ gpgcheck=0 enabled=1

NOTE: Don’t forget to replace version with your Centos Version.

After successfully installing Nginx, start it, enable it to auto-start at system boot and check if it is up and running.

# wget --quiet http://nginx.org/keys/nginx_signing.key && rpm --import nginx_signing.key
# yum install nginx

 On CentOS  
# systemctl status nginx
# systemctl enable nginx
# systemctl status nginx

4. Configure Nginx as Reverse Proxy For Nodejs Application

Now go the location using cd /etc/nginx/conf.d/ as shown.

$ sudo nano /etc/nginx/conf.d/techrado.conf 

Copy and paste the following configuration (change IP_Address with your server IP and techrado.conf with your domain name).

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name your_domain;

    location / {
        proxy_set_header   X-Forwarded-For $remote_addr;
        proxy_set_header   Host $http_host;
        proxy_pass         http://IP_Address:3000;
    }
}
}

Now press Ctrl+O and Ctrl+X.

Finally, restart the Nginx service to effect the recent changes.

$ systemctl restart nginx

5. Access Nodejs Application through Browser

Now you should be able to access your Node app without providing the port it is listening on, in the URL: this is a much convenient way for users to access it.

http://yourdomain/

What Errors Occur During The Configuration of Nginx Reverse Proxy for Nodejs on Centos?

While configuration for NodeJs on Centos, Everyone faces few errors, some errors are as below.

1. Check your DNS configuration.
2.Remove multiple configuration file if they are activated like vhost.conf,ipaddress.conf,default.conf
3. Setting your hostname
4. Clear your browser cache or put ‘?’ to the end of the URL.

If you have any question feel free to ask in the comment box.

Read Also: How to Setup Centos on Webserver

Very first step earlier than every other steps is “to loggin to Vesta Management Panel”:

Open your VPS IP with port 8083 through https://.

instance: https://123.123.123.123:8083/

then login as Admin:

A. BASIC SETUP

Some vital steps to do after putting in VestaCP:

1. Change default admin password:

As soon as logged in, click on the “Admin” hyperlink in high right-hand nook of your display screen. The one beside Log off in high of Backup menu.

Now you’ll enter the “Enhancing Person” web page which you’ll change your password there. That is vital so you possibly can simply bear in mind your individual Admin password. Simply be sure that to make use of sturdy mixture.

2. Outline Your Principal Nameserver

Scroll down that web page a bit and also you’ll see different choices. Be at liberty to regulate these choices however for me I higher depart that as default besides the “Default Identify Servers” half. Change this half to your individual predominant NS in your area.

as soon as completed, hit the Save button.

3. Regulate Internet hosting Packages Configuration

Click on on the “Packages” hyperlink on the highest left-hand nook of the display screen (above Vesta brand). On your data, “Packages” is a characteristic on Vesta that serves as “Internet hosting Plans” which you normally see on many website hosting firm websites. In that Packages web page you possibly can regulate some vital limitations / options of a plan which may be assigned to a consumer.

** pic is a bit lengthy so I put thumbnail. Click on on it to see full dimension.

For instance, we will configure the “Default” plan to have what number of domains, sub-domains, databases, backups, cron jobs, how a lot disk area and bandwidth will likely be allotted, and so forth.

It means you possibly can create your individual internet hosting plans.

B. ADD NEW WEBSITE

So right here it’s the time so as to add our new web site / area. First, click on on the “WEB” menu and also you’ll see default.area is already there.

You possibly can delete it by clicking the delete hyperlink subsequent to it.

It can then ask for affirmation. Merely hit OK.

Subsequent, add our new web site by clicking “Add Net Area” button.

Now enter your area title there. You too can assign customized IP handle (in case your vps has multiple IPs). As my web site will likely be a easy WordPress weblog, so I depart different choices by default.

There are Superior choices hidden, click on on it should you want to change some superior configurations together with Aliases, will you employ Nginx or not, SSL help, Net Statistics enabled or not, Statistic Authorization and extra FTP. Regulate as you want.

As soon as completed, hit the Save button.

C. EDITING DNS

When you’ve added a brand new area (as defined above), your area can even seem within the DNS part. So click on on it to see its configuration and entries.

You’ll see all obtainable (added) domains there.

You possibly can see all robotically added DNS entries by clicking “record of x information” hyperlink of that area. x represents the numbers of obtainable entries.

What you are able to do with every area are: See the record of DNS information, Add new DNS document, Edit DNS configuration, and Delete. The Droop menu solely obtainable for Admin.

Okay, I’m a beginner, and that is my very first time utilizing Vesta and my very first time including new web site to my Vesta vps. What ought to I do?

Nothing. All default configurations are setup when you added a brand new web site. With out including or modifying something in your DNS your DNS is able to use. However on this DNS web page you possibly can see all of your DNS settings. So what you must also do is to see all obtainable information simply in your personal overview (or studying).

How can  add new DNS entry?

Merely the “Add new document” hyperlink. The “Including DNS Document” web page is very easy to understood. Instance:

D. ADD NEW MYSQL DATABASE

Most of latest scripts and CMS are utilizing database to retailer its information. You possibly can see all obtainable MySQL datyabases by clicking DB menu.

In that DB web page you possibly can see all obtainable databases. As for this information, lets begin including a brand new database. Click on on the “Add Database” button.

Now go forward add your database and in addition database consumer and its password. Notice: Prefix username_ will likely be robotically added to database title and database consumer (instance: admin_).

In that instance then my database title is “admin_wordpress”, my DB consumer is “admin_johndoe” and the password is as proven in screenshot ^_^.

That’s it so now you add handle your database through PHPMYADMIN by clicking “Open phpMyAdmin” hyperlink.

phpMyAdmin interface ought to seem in a brand new browser Tab / Window. You must login utilizing your simply created database username and password.

E. UPLOADING WEBSITE CONTENT TO VPS

So that you now have DNS and MySQL database setup and prepared. Subsequent, lets add all information of internet sites. FYI: Vesta CP doesn’t have File Supervisor (could also be but) and in addition no help for third-part module or plugin line zPanel with its Ajaxplorer File Manager. So the one manner you add your net information is through FTP which is dealt with by vsFTPd.

First, go to WEB then click on Edit hyperlink of the area title you want so as to add new FTP consumer.

then tick the Extra FTP choice and enter your FTP username and password. Notice: a prefix username_ will likely be robotically added, in my case is admin_.

As soon as completed, hit the Save button. Now you need to use your favourite FTP shopper like Filezilla to add your information. Use your VPS IP as Host at port 21.

Cheers!