matrix-docker-ansible-deploy/examples/reverse-proxies/nginx

Nginx reverse-proxy fronting the playbook's integrated Traefik reverse-proxy

This directory contains a sample config that shows you how to use the nginx webserver to front the integrated Traefik reverse-proxy webserver with another reverse-proxy.

Prerequisite configuration

To get started, first follow the front the integrated reverse-proxy webserver with another reverse-proxy instructions and update your playbook's configuration (inventory/host_vars/matrix.<your-domain>/vars.yml).

Using the nginx configuration

Copy the matrix.conf file to your nginx server's filesystem, modify it to your needs and include it in your nginx configuration (e.g. include /path/to/matrix.conf;).

This configuration disables SSL certificate retrieval, so you will need to obtain SSL certificates manually (e.g. by using certbot) and set the appropriate path in matrix.conf. In the example nginx configuration, a single certificate is used for all subdomains (matrix.DOMAIN, element.DOMAIN, etc.). For your setup, may wish to change this and use separate server blocks and separate certificate files for each host.

Also note that your copy of the matrix.conf file has to be adapted to whatever services you are using. For example, remove element.domain.com from the server_name list if you don't use Element web client or add dimension.domain.com to it if you do use the Dimension integration manager.

Using Nginx Proxy Manager

Similar to standard nginx, Nginx Proxy Manager provides nginx capabilities but inside a pre-built Docker container. With the ability for managing proxy hosts and automatic SSL certificates via a simple web interface.

If Matrix federation is enabled, then you will need to make changes to NPM's Docker configuration. By default NPM has access to ports 443, 80 and 81, but you would also need to provide access to the fedderation ports 8448 and 8449.

Creating proxy hosts in Nginx Proxy Manager

Open the 'Proxy Hosts' page in the NPM web interface and select Add Proxy Host, the first being for matrix web traffic. Apply the proxys configuration like this:

# Details
# Matrix web proxy config
Domain Names: matrix.DOMAIN
Scheme: http
Forward Hostname/IP: IP-ADDRESS-OF-YOUR-MATRIX
Forward Port: 81

# Custom locations
# Add one custom location
Define location: /
Scheme: http
Forward Hostname/IP: IP-ADDRESS-OF-YOUR-MATRIX
Forward Port: 81
Custom config:
    proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $remote_addr;
    proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
    proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
    client_max_body_size 50M;

# SSL
# Either 'Request a new certificate' or select an existing one
SSL Certificate: matrix.DOMAIN or *.DOMAIN
Force SSL: true
HTTP/2 Support: true

Again, under the 'Proxy Hosts' page select Add Proxy Host, this time for your federation traffic. Apply the proxys configuration like this:

# Details
# Matrix Federation proxy config
Domain Names: matrix.DOMAIN:8448
Scheme: http
Forward Hostname/IP: IP-ADDRESS-OF-YOUR-MATRIX
Forward Port: 8449

# Custom locations
# Add one custom location
Define location: /
Scheme: http
Forward Hostname/IP: IP-ADDRESS-OF-YOUR-MATRIX
Forward Port: 8449
Custom config:
    proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $remote_addr;
    proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
    client_max_body_size 50M;

# SSL
# Either 'Request a new certificate' or select an existing one
SSL Certificate: matrix.DOMAIN or *.DOMAIN
Force SSL: true
HTTP/2 Support: true

# Advanced
# Allows NPM to listen on the federation port
Custom Nginx Configuration: listen 8448 ssl http2;

Also note, NPM would need to be configured for whatever other services you are using. For example, you would need to create additional proxy hosts for element.DOMAIN or jitsi.DOMAIN, which would use the forwarding port 81.