---
myst:
  html_meta:
    description: Set up web servers and proxy servers on Ubuntu Server with guides for Apache2, nginx, and Squid configuration.
---

(how-to-web-services)=
# Web services

Web servers are used to serve content over a network (or the Internet). If you want more of an introduction to the different types of web servers available in Ubuntu, check out our {ref}`introduction-to-web-servers`.

## Proxy servers

This section shows how to set up a Squid proxy caching server.

```{toctree}
:titlesonly:

Install a Squid server <web-services/install-a-squid-server>
```

## Web servers

Two of the most popular web servers in Ubuntu are Apache2 and nginx. This section covers the installation, configuration and extension of both.

### Apache2

```{toctree}
:hidden:

Install Apache2 <web-services/install-apache2>
Apache2 settings <web-services/configure-apache2-settings>
Apache2 modules <web-services/use-apache2-modules>
```

* {ref}`Install Apache2 <install-apache2>`
* {ref}`Configure Apache2 <configure-apache2-settings>`
* {ref}`Extend Apache2 with modules <use-apache2-modules>`

### Nginx

```{toctree}
:hidden:

Install nginx <web-services/install-nginx>
nginx settings <web-services/configure-nginx>
nginx modules <web-services/use-nginx-modules>
```

* {ref}`Install nginx <install-nginx>`
* {ref}`Configure nginx <configure-nginx>`
* {ref}`Extend nginx with modules <use-nginx-modules>`

## Web programming

It is common to set up server-side scripting languages to support the creation of dynamic web content. Whichever scripting language you choose, you will need to have installed and configured your web and database servers beforehand.

```{toctree}
:titlesonly:

Install PHP <web-services/install-php>
Install Ruby on Rails <web-services/install-ruby-on-rails>
```

## See also

* Explanation: {ref}`explanation-web-services`