Configuring Nginx to listen on multiple ports is essential for handling different types of requests efficiently. Whether you’re managing a website on a VPS hosting solution or running high-performance applications on a dedicated server, understanding how to configure Nginx correctly can improve flexibility and performance.

Why Configure Nginx to Listen on Multiple Ports?

  • Serve different applications from the same server.
  • Enable HTTPS and HTTP access simultaneously.
  • Run multiple services using different ports.
  • Improve security and routing by segmenting requests.

Steps to Configure Nginx to Listen on Multiple Ports

1. Open the Nginx Configuration File

Nginx’s configuration files are usually located in /etc/nginx/nginx.conf or within /etc/nginx/sites-available/. You can open the file using:

sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/default

2. Modify the Server Block to Include Multiple Ports

To make Nginx listen on multiple ports, update the listen directive in the server block as follows:

server {
    listen 80;
    listen 8080;
    listen 443 ssl;

    server_name example.com;

    location / {
        root /var/www/html;
        index index.html;
    }
}

3. Test the Configuration

After modifying the configuration, check if there are any syntax errors:

sudo nginx -t

If the test is successful, you will see:

nginx: configuration file /etc/nginx/nginx.conf test is successful

4. Restart Nginx to Apply Changes

Restart the Nginx service to apply the new configuration:

sudo systemctl restart nginx

5. Verify the Ports Are Open

You can use netstat or ss to check if Nginx is listening on the specified ports:

sudo netstat -tulnp | grep nginx

Or:

sudo ss -tulnp | grep nginx

Best Practices for Running Nginx on Multiple Ports

  • Use HTTPS for secure communication (ensure valid SSL certificates).
  • Restrict access to non-public ports using firewall rules.
  • Optimize server performance by load balancing different services.
  • Monitor logs to track performance and security threats.

Conclusion

At AvaHost, configuring Nginx to listen on multiple ports allows clients to maximize the potential of their VPS or dedicated server environment. This setup supports the deployment of various web applications, development environments, and containerized services simultaneously — all under a single server instance. Whether you’re hosting APIs, web panels, or separate projects, multi-port Nginx configurations offer enhanced control, better traffic segmentation, and easier maintenance.

With AvaHost’s high-performance infrastructure, DDoS protection, and full root access, users gain the freedom to tailor their Nginx setup to their exact needs. Our reliable hosting environment ensures that each port-driven service runs smoothly and securely, making it easier to scale operations, isolate workloads, and support complex web architectures with confidence.