WebSocket is a popular communication protocol that enables real-time data exchange between client and server. It is widely used in web applications and other systems that require real-time data transfer. CentOS 7 is a popular Linux distribution that is widely used in web servers. In this article, we will discuss how to set up WebSocket on CentOS 7 in detail.
What is WebSocket?
WebSocket is a communication protocol that enables real-time data transfer between client and server. It is a bidirectional protocol that allows data to be sent and received simultaneously. It uses a single TCP connection for communication and provides a low latency and high throughput data transfer. WebSocket is widely used in web applications, online gaming, and other systems that require real-time data exchange.
Why Use WebSocket?
WebSocket offers several advantages over other communication protocols. Here are some of the benefits of using WebSocket:
- Real-time data transfer: WebSocket provides real-time data transfer between client and server, which is essential for many applications.
- Low latency: WebSocket provides low latency data transfer, which is critical for applications that require fast response time.
- High throughput: WebSocket provides high throughput data transfer, which is essential for applications that require large data transfer.
- Bidirectional communication: WebSocket allows data to be sent and received simultaneously, which is essential for applications that require two-way communication.
- Efficient: WebSocket uses a single TCP connection for communication, which reduces the overhead of establishing multiple TCP connections.
- Compatible with HTTP: WebSocket is compatible with HTTP, which makes it easy to integrate with existing web applications.
Setting up WebSocket on CentOS 7
Setting up WebSocket on CentOS 7 is a straightforward process. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Install EPEL Repository
EPEL (Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux) is a repository that provides additional packages for CentOS. WebSocket requires the installation of some additional packages that are not available in the default CentOS repository. Therefore, we need to install the EPEL repository first. Follow the below command to install EPEL repository:
sudo yum install epel-release
Step 2: Install Apache
WebSocket requires a web server to function. Apache is a popular web server that is widely used in CentOS. Follow the below command to install Apache web server:
sudo yum install httpd
Step 3: Install PHP
WebSocket requires PHP to function. Follow the below command to install PHP:
sudo yum install php
Step 4: Install WebSocket Module
WebSocket requires an additional module to be installed in Apache web server. Follow the below command to install WebSocket module:
sudo yum install mod_websocket
Step 5: Configure Apache
Now we need to configure Apache web server to enable WebSocket support. Follow the below steps to configure Apache:
- Open the Apache configuration file using the below command:
- Add the following lines at the end of the file:
- Save and close the file.
- Restart Apache web server using the below command:
sudo vi /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf
LoadModule proxy_module modules/mod_proxy.soLoadModule proxy_wstunnel_module modules/mod_proxy_wstunnel.so
sudo systemctl restart httpd
Step 6: Test WebSocket
Now we need to test if WebSocket is working properly. Follow the below steps to test WebSocket:
- Create a new file called index.php in the Apache web server root directory using the below command:
- Add the following lines to the file:
- Save and close the file.
- Open a web browser and navigate to http://localhost/index.php.
- If everything is working correctly, you should see a pop-up window with the message “Hello, WebSocket!”.
sudo vi /var/www/html/index.php
<!DOCTYPE html><html><head><title>WebSocket Test</title></head><body><h1>WebSocket Test</h1><script>var ws = new WebSocket(“ws://localhost:8080”);ws.onmessage = function(event) {alert(event.data);};ws.onopen = function(event) {ws.send(“Hello, WebSocket!”);};</script></body></html>
Conclusion
WebSocket is a powerful communication protocol that enables real-time data transfer between client and server. Setting up WebSocket on CentOS 7 is a straightforward process that can be completed in a few steps. Follow the above steps to set up WebSocket on CentOS 7 and enjoy the benefits of real-time data transfer.
FAQ
What is CentOS 7?
CentOS 7 is a Linux distribution that is widely used in web servers. It is a free and open-source operating system that is based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
What is Apache?
Apache is a popular web server that is widely used in CentOS. It is a free and open-source software that provides HTTP and HTTPS services.
What is PHP?
PHP is a server-side scripting language that is widely used in web development. It is a free and open-source software that can be embedded in HTML.
What is EPEL repository?
EPEL (Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux) is a repository that provides additional packages for CentOS. It is maintained by the Fedora project and provides additional packages that are not available in the default CentOS repository.