NovaSDR Support Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: 9a7aof on 30 Nov 2025, 09:30

Title: Nginx reverse proxy server and NovaSDR / Phantomsdr+ /Openwebrx
Post by: 9a7aof on 30 Nov 2025, 09:30
Hi all,

I installed Nginx as a reverse proxy server in front of my websdrs (Openwebrx and PhantomSDR+). The advantage of setting up a reverse proxy server is that it "defends" websdr from strange requests from the Internet and balances the traffic a bit.

Also, after installing the proxy server, there are no more "hanging" connections to PhantomSDR+

Attached are my configuration files for the proxy server, it works as a reverse proxy for servers inside my local network as well as external servers.

Installing Nginx proxy server is easy: sudo apt install nginxThen, as root, you enter the /etc/nginx/sites-available directory cd /etc/nginx/sites-available and edit the configuration file for your websdr, let's say it's called phantom.

After that, enter the /etc/nginx/sites-enabled directory and clean logical link to default configuration cd /etc/nginx/sites-enabled
rm default
then create a logical link to your configuration file:
ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/phantom phantom
Restart nginx with sudo service nginx restart && sudo service nginx status.
If everything is fine, direct your browser to the ip number of the computer where the reverse proxy server is, no port is needed, the browser will connect to port 80.
If you see your websdr, that's it!  :)

Nginx can work as a reverse proxy for multiple local or external servers. Look at the examples, it works fine for me.

PS:
I'm not a programmer, just a happy Linux user since 1996, my first Linux came on 4 floppy disks, that's when I fell in love with Linux.  ;D

Good Luck!
Darko, 9a7aof

Title: Re: Nginx reverse proxy server and NovaSDR / Phantomsdr+ /Openwebrx
Post by: Michael-K3FEF on 02 Dec 2025, 15:40
Just seeing this now!  I like this idea.  Going to give it a try!
Can this log inbound request with their originating IP?
Title: Re: Nginx reverse proxy server and NovaSDR / Phantomsdr+ /Openwebrx
Post by: 9a7aof on 04 Dec 2025, 17:08
QuoteJust seeing this now!  I like this idea.  Going to give it a try!
Can this log inbound request with their originating IP?

tail -f /var/log/nginx/access.log
or install iftop
sudo apt install iftopand run
sudo iftop
73!
Darko, 9a7aof
Title: Re: Nginx reverse proxy server and NovaSDR / Phantomsdr+ /Openwebrx
Post by: hb9ryz on 09 Dec 2025, 23:33
Hello Darko
I installed the Nginx Reverse Proxy server running on docker on my new Raspberry Pi5 with Trixie OS.

I will soon install this reverse proxy server at my remote DX station in order run three different WebSDR Servers protected against DDOS attacks etc.

a.) PhantomSDR Plus v1.54 / NovaSDR v2.0.0
b.) WebSDR 2m and 70cm
c.) KiwiSDR

73 de HB9RYZ
Wolfgang
Title: Re: Nginx reverse proxy server and NovaSDR / Phantomsdr+ /Openwebrx
Post by: 9a7aof on 10 Dec 2025, 16:51
QuoteHello Darko
I installed the Nginx Reverse Proxy

For PhantomSDR+ proxy work fine, classic WebSDR
I couldn't set it up to work with the nginx
proxy, I get a connection but there is no waterfall.

This script passes all traffic required for classic WebSDR, verified:
#!/bin/sh

echo 1 > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_forward

/usr/sbin/iptables -F # DO NOT FLUSH IF YOU'RE SSHING, YOU WILL LOCK YOUR SELF OUT
/usr/sbin/iptables -t nat -F
/usr/sbin/iptables -X

/usr/sbin/iptables -t nat -A PREROUTING -p tcp --dport 8902 -j DNAT --to-destination 192.168.3.53:8902
/usr/sbin/iptables -t nat -A POSTROUTING -p tcp -d 192.168.3.53 --dport 8902 -j SNAT --to-source 192.168.3.14

I've only used KiwiSDR as a regular user, I don't know how
it behaves when there's a proxy server in front of it.

Try it, maybe it works...  ;D

73!
Darko, 9a7aof
Title: Re: Nginx reverse proxy server and NovaSDR / Phantomsdr+ /Openwebrx
Post by: hb9ryz on 12 Dec 2025, 16:15
Hello All
I installed today at my remote DX-Station the new Nginx Reverse Proxy on a new Raspberry Pi 5 (4GB) and works perfect :-)

Some pictures to get an idea where it is - Wellbrook loop für PhantomSDR-Plus and KiwiSDR.

https://phantomsdr.rigiremote.ch
https://kiwisdr.rigiremote.ch

73 de HB9RYZ
Wolfgang