Self Hosting on your Home Server - Cloudflare + Nginx Proxy Manager - Easy SSL Setup

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of self-hosting applications on your home server using Cloudflare and Nginx Proxy Manager. You'll learn how to set up a secure environment for your projects, ensuring they are accessible and safe. By following these steps, you can effectively manage web traffic and SSL certificates with ease.

Step 1: Understand Prerequisites

Before diving into the setup, ensure you have the following:

• A home server running a compatible operating system (Linux-based is preferred).
• Docker installed on your server for easier application management.
• Basic knowledge of command line operations.

Step 2: Set Up a Reverse Proxy

A reverse proxy is essential for managing incoming requests and directing them to the correct service. Here's how to set it up:

1. Install Docker if you haven't already. You can usually find installation instructions on the official Docker website.
2. Pull the Nginx Proxy Manager image using the following command:

   docker pull jc21/nginx-proxy-manager
   

3. Run the Docker container with the necessary configurations. Use the command below, modifying the environment variables as needed:

   docker run -d \
     -p 80:80 \
     -p 443:443 \
     -e DB_SQLITE_FILE=/data/database.sqlite \
     -v /path/to/your/data:/data \
     --restart always \
     --name nginx-proxy-manager \
     jc21/nginx-proxy-manager
   

Step 3: Open Required Ports

For your reverse proxy to function correctly, you must open the appropriate ports on your router:

• Port 80 for HTTP traffic.
• Port 443 for HTTPS traffic.
• Refer to your router's manual for specific instructions on how to open these ports.

Step 4: Configure Cloudflare

Using Cloudflare enhances your server's security and performance. Follow these steps:

1. Create a Cloudflare account or log in to your existing account.
2. Add your domain to Cloudflare by following the prompts.
3. Update your domain's nameservers to point to Cloudflare's nameservers as instructed.

Step 5: Set Up Nginx Proxy Manager

After configuring Cloudflare, set up Nginx Proxy Manager:

1. Access the Nginx Proxy Manager interface by navigating to your server's IP address in a web browser.
2. Log in using the default credentials:
   • Email: admin@example.com
   • Password: changeme (Make sure to change this after your first login).
3. Create a new proxy host:
   • Go to "Proxy Hosts" and click on "Add Proxy Host."
   • Fill in your domain and the internal address of the service you want to expose.

Step 6: Configure Cloudflare SSL/TLS Settings

To ensure secure connections, configure the SSL/TLS settings in Cloudflare:

1. Go to the SSL/TLS section in your Cloudflare dashboard.
2. Set the SSL option to "Full" or "Full (strict)" for enhanced security.
3. Enable "Always Use HTTPS" to redirect all HTTP requests to HTTPS.

Step 7: Test Your Setup

After completing the configurations:

1. Access your domain through a web browser.
2. Verify that the connection is secure (look for the padlock icon in the address bar).
3. Check that your applications are reachable and functioning as expected.

Conclusion

You've successfully set up a self-hosted environment using Cloudflare and Nginx Proxy Manager. This configuration not only secures your applications but also simplifies management of SSL certificates. As a next step, consider exploring additional features of Nginx Proxy Manager, such as automated SSL certificate renewals and advanced access controls.