n8n Self-Hosted on a Linux Server with SSL Enabled

Step 1: Installing Docker

Update the package index:

sudo apt update

Install Docker:

sudo apt install docker.io

Start Docker:

sudo systemctl start docker

Enable Docker to start at boot:

sudo systemctl enable docker

Step 2: Starting n8n in Docker

Run the following command to start n8n in Docker. Replace your-domain.com with your actual domain name:

If you are using a subdomain, it should look like this:

Explanation of the command:

• Downloads and runs the n8n Docker image.
• Exposes n8n on port 5678.
• Sets environment variables for the n8n host and webhook tunnel URL.
• Mounts the n8n data directory for persistent storage.

After executing the command, n8n will be accessible at your-domain.com:5678.

Step 3: Installing Nginx

Nginx is a reverse proxy that forwards requests to n8n and handles SSL termination.

Install Nginx:

sudo apt install nginx

Step 4: Configuring Nginx

Configure Nginx to reverse proxy the n8n web interface.

Create a new Nginx configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/n8n.conf

Paste the following configuration:

Replace your-domain.com with your actual domain name.

Enable the configuration:

sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/n8n.conf /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/n8n.conf

Test the Nginx configuration and restart the service:

sudo nginx -t
sudo systemctl restart nginx

Step 5: Setting up SSL with Certbot

Certbot will obtain and install an SSL certificate from Let's Encrypt.

Install Certbot and the Nginx plugin:

sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginx

Obtain an SSL certificate:

sudo certbot --nginx -d n8n.envisiontech.agency

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the SSL setup. Once completed, n8n will be securely accessible over HTTPS at your-domain.com.

Important Notes

• Ensure your domain's DNS A record points to your server's IP address.
• Allow ports 80 (HTTP), 443 (HTTPS), and 5678 (n8n) in your server's firewall.
• Nginx handles SSL termination, so it internally forwards requests to the n8n instance over HTTP.

Why Nginx and Certbot?

• Nginx: Acts as a reverse proxy, forwarding client requests to n8n running on Docker. This setup enhances security, load balancing, and scalability.
• Certbot: A tool from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) that automates obtaining and renewing SSL certificates from Let's Encrypt, a free and open Certificate Authority.

By using Nginx and Certbot, you ensure that your n8n instance is securely accessible over the internet with HTTPS.

Troubleshooting

• If you encounter issues with Nginx, check the logs located at /var/log/nginx/error.log for more details.
• For Docker-related issues, ensure the Docker service is running:

sudo systemctl status docker