How to Install WildFly Application Server with Nginx Reverse Proxy on Debian 12

Summary: This guide provides an in-depth, step-by-step process for installing WildFly (formerly JBoss) on a Debian 12 server, including configuring Nginx as a reverse proxy. Perfect for tech enthusiasts interested in self-hosting Java applications, this tutorial ensures you have the necessary tools and configurations to deploy robust Java web applications smoothly.

Introduction to WildFly

WildFly, previously known as JBoss, is a powerful, open-source application server designed for building and deploying Java web applications. Developed by RedHat, WildFly is Java EE compliant and offers a modular, lightweight framework ideal for both developers and enterprises. This guide will walk you through the installation of WildFly on a Debian 12 server, enabling you to self-host Java applications with ease.

Prerequisites for Installing WildFly

Before we begin, ensure you have the following:

• A Debian 12 server with at least 4GB of RAM.
• A non-root user with sudo administrator privileges.

Installing Java OpenJDK Required for WildFly

WildFly operates using Java, so you’ll need to install Java OpenJDK. Here’s how:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install default-jdk

Confirm the installation by checking the Java version:

java -version

Installing WildFly on Debian 12

Now that Java is set up, let’s install and configure WildFly:

Step 1: Create WildFly User and Group

sudo groupadd -r wildfly
sudo useradd -r -g wildfly -d /opt/wildfly -s /sbin/nologin wildfly

Step 2: Download the WildFly Binary Package

sudo apt install unzip -y

wget https://github.com/wildfly/wildfly/releases/download/30.0.0.Final/wildfly-30.0.0.Final.zip

unzip wildfly-30.0.0.Final.zip
sudo mv wildfly-30.0.0.Final /opt/wildfly

sudo chown -RH wildfly: /opt/wildfly

Step 3: Configure WildFly Installation

sudo nano /opt/wildfly/bin/standalone.conf

Update the max heap memory size as shown:

JBOSS_JAVA_SIZING="-Xms64m -Xmx4096m -XX:MetaspaceSize=96M -XX:MaxMetaspaceSize=256m"

Step 4: Running WildFly as a Systemd Service

sudo cp /opt/wildfly/docs/contrib/scripts/systemd/wildfly.service /etc/systemd/system/
sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/wildfly.service

Modify ExecStart to include:

ExecStart=/opt/wildfly/bin/launch.sh $WILDFLY_MODE $WILDFLY_CONFIG $WILDFLY_BIND $WILDFLY_CONSOLE_BIND

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl start wildfly
sudo systemctl enable wildfly

Adding a WildFly Admin User

sh /opt/wildfly/bin/add-user.sh

Follow the prompts to create an admin user.

Setting Up Nginx as a Reverse Proxy

sudo apt install nginx

sudo nano /etc/nginx/conf.d/proxy_headers.conf

proxy_set_header Host $host;
proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;

Configure Nginx for WildFly

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

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name wildfly.yourdomain.com;
    location / { proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:8080; }
}

sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/wildfly /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/
sudo nginx -t
sudo systemctl restart nginx

Accessing WildFly via a Web Client

Update your hosts file, then visit http://wildfly.yourdomain.com/ to access the WildFly index page.

Conclusion

You’ve successfully installed and configured WildFly on Debian 12, enabling a robust environment for self-hosting Java applications. You’ve also set up Nginx as a reverse proxy, allowing for streamlined web access.

FAQ

What is WildFly used for?

WildFly is used for deploying Java EE applications, providing a platform for building and managing enterprise-level web applications.

Can I run WildFly on any server?

Yes, WildFly is cross-platform and can be installed on various operating systems, provided the necessary prerequisites are met.

Is Nginx required for WildFly?

No, but using Nginx as a reverse proxy offers benefits like load balancing and enhanced security for your WildFly applications.