Lighttpd Websocket: A Comprehensive Guide

If you’re looking for a lightweight and efficient web server, Lighttpd is the perfect choice. It is known for its high performance and low memory usage. However, when it comes to real-time communication between the client and server, Lighttpd lacks support for the WebSocket protocol.

In this article, we will delve into the world of Lighttpd and WebSocket, and explore how they can work together. We’ll cover everything from the basics of WebSocket to the steps required to set up WebSocket on Lighttpd. So, let’s get started!

What is WebSocket?

WebSocket is a protocol that enables real-time communication between the client and the server. It allows the server to push data to the client as soon as it becomes available, without the client having to request it. This makes it ideal for applications that require real-time updates, such as online games, chat applications, and financial trading platforms.

How does WebSocket work?

WebSocket works by establishing a persistent connection between the client and the server. Once the connection is established, data can be sent back and forth between the two parties in real-time. This is in contrast to traditional HTTP connections, which are stateless and require the client to send a request to the server each time it needs data.

What are the benefits of using WebSocket?

There are several benefits to using WebSocket, including:

1. Real-time updates: WebSocket allows the server to push data to the client as soon as it becomes available, providing real-time updates.
2. Reduced latency: Since there is no need for the client to send a request to the server each time it needs data, WebSocket can significantly reduce latency.
3. Lower bandwidth usage: WebSocket uses a single connection for bi-directional communication, reducing the need for multiple connections and lowering bandwidth usage.
4. Efficient resource usage: WebSocket uses a persistent connection, which reduces the need for resource-intensive connection establishment and teardown.

What is Lighttpd?

Lighttpd is a lightweight and efficient web server that is designed to handle a large number of requests with low resource usage. It is known for its high performance and low memory footprint, making it an ideal choice for web applications that require high scalability and low latency.

How does Lighttpd work?

Lighttpd works by using an event-driven architecture that allows it to handle a large number of requests with low resource usage. It uses a single process to handle all requests, and each request is handled asynchronously, allowing Lighttpd to handle multiple requests at the same time.

What are the benefits of using Lighttpd?

There are several benefits to using Lighttpd, including:

1. High performance: Lighttpd is known for its high performance and low resource usage, making it ideal for web applications that require high scalability and low latency.
2. Low memory footprint: Lighttpd uses a low amount of memory compared to other web servers, making it ideal for systems with limited resources.
3. Easy to configure: Lighttpd is easy to configure and can be customized to meet the specific needs of your application.
4. Supports FastCGI and CGI: Lighttpd supports both FastCGI and CGI, allowing you to run a wide range of web applications on your server.

How to set up WebSocket on Lighttpd?

Setting up WebSocket on Lighttpd requires a few extra steps compared to other web servers. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set up WebSocket on Lighttpd:

Step 1: Install Lighttpd

The first step is to install Lighttpd on your server. You can do this using the package manager of your Linux distribution. For example, if you’re using Ubuntu, you can install Lighttpd using the following command:

sudo apt-get install lighttpd

Step 2: Install the mod_websocket module

Lighttpd does not come with built-in support for WebSocket, so you need to install the mod_websocket module. You can do this by downloading the module from the Lighttpd website and compiling it yourself, or by using a package manager.

If you’re using Ubuntu, you can install the module using the following command:

sudo apt-get install lighttpd-mod-websocket

Step 3: Configure Lighttpd

Once you have installed the mod_websocket module, you need to configure Lighttpd to use it. You can do this by editing the Lighttpd configuration file, which is usually located at /etc/lighttpd/lighttpd.conf.

Add the following lines to the configuration file:

server.modules += ( “mod_websocket” )

websocket.server = ( “” => (

“host” => “127.0.0.1”,

“port” => 8080,

“type” => “tcp”

) )

This configures Lighttpd to use the mod_websocket module and sets up a WebSocket server on port 8080.

Step 4: Restart Lighttpd

After making changes to the Lighttpd configuration file, you need to restart the server for the changes to take effect. You can do this using the following command:

sudo service lighttpd restart

Step 5: Test WebSocket

To test WebSocket, you can create a simple HTML file that uses JavaScript to establish a WebSocket connection with the server. Here is an example:

<!DOCTYPE html><html><head><title>WebSocket Test</title></head><body><script>var ws = new WebSocket("ws://localhost:8080/");
ws.onopen = function() {console.log("WebSocket opened");};
ws.onmessage = function(evt) {console.log("Message received: " + evt.data);};
ws.onclose = function() {console.log("WebSocket closed");};</script></body></html>

When you open this file in a web browser, it should establish a WebSocket connection with the server and log messages to the console when the connection is opened, a message is received, or the connection is closed.

FAQ

What is the difference between HTTP and WebSocket?

HTTP is a stateless protocol that requires the client to send a request to the server each time it needs data. WebSocket, on the other hand, establishes a persistent connection between the client and the server, allowing data to be sent back and forth in real-time without the need for the client to send a request each time.

What are some applications of WebSocket?

WebSocket is ideal for applications that require real-time updates, such as online games, chat applications, and financial trading platforms.

What are some alternatives to Lighttpd?

Some alternatives to Lighttpd include Apache, Nginx, and Microsoft IIS. Each of these web servers has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to choose the one that best meets the needs of your application.

Is Lighttpd suitable for large-scale web applications?

Yes, Lighttpd is suitable for large-scale web applications thanks to its high performance and low resource usage. It is often used in conjunction with other technologies, such as load balancers and caching servers, to handle high traffic volumes.