Complete Guide to Setting Up a Full-Stack Environment on Ubuntu: From Node.js to SSL

Introduction

This comprehensive tutorial guides you through setting up a full-stack application on an Ubuntu server, using Node.js for server-side logic, PostgreSQL as the database, and Nginx as the web server. We'll secure our application with HTTPS using Certbot, and explain creating a database user, a database, and connecting remotely using pgAdmin.

Prerequisites

• A Ubuntu server

• Root or sudo privileges on the server

• Access to a terminal/command line

Steps

1. Installing Node.js with NVM

Install Node.js using NVM, which allows for managing multiple Node.js versions.

2. Setting Up SSH for Bitbucket

Prepare SSH keys for Bitbucket for secure repository operations:

3. Cloning the Repository

Clone the project repository and navigate into your project directory:

Handle any peer dependency issues with:

4. Installing and Configuring PostgreSQL

Install PostgreSQL and set it up:

5. Creating a Database and a User

Create a new database and a user in PostgreSQL:

6. Configuring PostgreSQL for Remote Access

Edit the PostgreSQL configuration file to accept remote connections:

Change to listen on all interfaces:

Modify client authentication:

Allow your specific IP:

Restart PostgreSQL:

7. Installing and Configuring Nginx

Set up Nginx to serve your application:

8. Enabling SSL with Certbot

Secure your application using SSL certificates with Certbot:

9. Automating SSL Certificate Renewal

Set up automatic renewal for your SSL certificates:

10. Final Verification

Ensure all configurations are correct and services are running:

Check your application via HTTPS in a web browser.

Conclusion

You've successfully set up a secure full-stack environment using Node.js, PostgreSQL, and Nginx on Ubuntu, complete with SSL certification. This configuration provides a solid foundation for deploying production-level applications.