How do I deploy my express web app on nginx web server using docker?

Question

I have been trying to deploy my express web application to nginx web server.

This is my directory structure.

express-app 
     frontend 
         public
             /*all resources, images etc*/
         src 
             /*all js files*/
         views 
             /*html files*/
         package.json
         index.js //server file
         Dockerfile //image for front end
     backend  
         src
             server.js
         package.json
         Dockerfile //image for backend
     proxy
         Dockerfile //??? 
         proxy.conf //???
     docker-compose.yml

I have successfully dockerised my application and it works fine. But i am little confused in how do i create Dockerfile for nginx and proxy.nginx so that nginx could be used as a web server for my application. The Dockerfiles for frontend and backend work.

Dockerfile for front end:

FROM node:carbon
RUN mkdir -p /usr/src/frontend
# Create app directory
WORKDIR /usr/src/frontend
COPY package*.json ./
RUN npm install && npm install gulp -g
# Bundle app source
COPY . .
CMD ["gulp","sass","js-global","js-pages"]
EXPOSE 8081
CMD [ "npm", "start" ]

Dockerfile for backend:

FROM node:carbon  
# Create app directory
WORKDIR /usr/src/app    
# Install app dependencies
# A wildcard is used to ensure both package.json AND package-lock.json are copied
# where available (npm@5+)
COPY package*.json ./
RUN npm install
COPY . .
ENV MONGODB_URL=mongodb://mongo/db3
ENV BACKEND_HOST_PATH=http://localhost:5000/
EXPOSE 5000
CMD ["npm", "start"]

I am using docker for windows. How do I make a dockerfile and conf file for nginx so that it acts as a web server for my application?

Answer 1

I think there is two way.

first, simple nginx isn't dockernize. You setup nginx in docker host. and just nginx proxy.

#front
location / { 
        proxy_pass http://localhost: 8081;
}  

#backend
location / { 
        proxy_pass http://localhost: 8081;
}  

second, if you want to using dockernize about nginx.

docker network create test
docker run --name nginx --network=test
docker run --name front --network=test
docker run --name backend --network=test

you excute above command. nginx container connect front, backend by name; this is like hosts file.

Do you understand? Did I understand what do you want?