Upgrading Nginx Version on EC2 Ubuntu to the Latest Release

Introduction:
Nginx is a popular web server and reverse proxy server known for its high performance, scalability, and reliability. Regularly updating Nginx to the latest version ensures that you benefit from bug fixes, security patches, and new features. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of upgrading Nginx on an EC2 instance running Ubuntu.

Prerequisites:
- An EC2 instance running Ubuntu.
- SSH access to the EC2 instance.
- Basic knowledge of the Linux command line.

Step 1: Adding the Nginx Repository
To upgrade Nginx to the latest version, we need to add the appropriate repository. We will be using the Ondřej Surý’s PPA repository, which provides updated Nginx packages.

1. Connect to your EC2 instance via SSH.

2. Execute the following command to add the Nginx repository:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ondrej/nginx

3. You will be prompted to confirm adding the repository. Press Enter to proceed.

Step 2: Updating the Package List
Next, we need to update the package list to fetch information about the available Nginx updates from the newly added repository.

1. Run the following command to update the package list:

sudo apt update

2. Wait for the update process to complete. This command will fetch the latest information about available package upgrades.

Step 3: Upgrading Nginx
With the repository added and the package list updated, we can now proceed to upgrade Nginx to the latest version.

1. Execute the following command to upgrade Nginx:

sudo apt upgrade

2. During the upgrade process, you may be asked to confirm the installation of new packages or the removal of obsolete packages. Review the changes and enter “Y” if prompted.

3. Allow the upgrade process to complete. This may take some time, depending on the speed of your EC2 instance and the number of updates.

Step 4: Verifying the Nginx Version
Once the upgrade process is finished, it’s essential to confirm that Nginx has been successfully updated to the latest version.

1. Run the following command to check the Nginx version:

nginx -v

2. The output should display the latest version of Nginx that you have upgraded to.

Conclusion:
By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can upgrade Nginx on your EC2 Ubuntu instance to the latest version. Regularly updating Nginx ensures that you have access to bug fixes, security patches, and new features, enabling you to maintain a secure and high-performance web server.

Remember to check the official Nginx documentation and release notes for any additional information or specific considerations when upgrading to a new version.

Author: Bidipto Bose
Portfolio: https://bdbose.in/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bidipto-bose-981b541b6
GitHub: https://github.com/bdbose