limit_req_zone and limit_req in Nginx - Mini Project: Build & Apply

Rate Limiting with nginx using limit_req_zone and limit_req

📖 Scenario: You are managing a web server that receives many requests. To keep the server stable and fair for all users, you want to limit how many requests each user can make per second.This project will guide you to configure nginx to limit request rates using limit_req_zone and limit_req.

🎯 Goal: Build an nginx configuration that limits each user's request rate to 1 request per second with a small burst allowance.

📋 What You'll Learn

Create a shared memory zone named one with a 10MB size using limit_req_zone

Use the client IP address as the key for rate limiting

Set the rate limit to 1 request per second

Apply the rate limit in the server block using limit_req

Allow a burst of 2 requests

💡 Why This Matters

🌍 Real World

Web servers often face many requests from users. Limiting request rates prevents overload and abuse, ensuring fair access and server stability.

💼 Career

Understanding nginx rate limiting is important for DevOps roles managing web infrastructure and ensuring reliable service availability.

1

Create the limit_req_zone directive

Write a limit_req_zone directive that creates a shared memory zone called one with size 10m. Use $binary_remote_addr as the key and set the rate to 1r/s.

Nginx

# Your code here

Need a hint?

Use limit_req_zone $binary_remote_addr zone=one:10m rate=1r/s; to create the zone.

2

Add the server block with listen directive

Add a server block that listens on port 80.

Nginx

limit_req_zone $binary_remote_addr zone=one:10m rate=1r/s;

# Your code here

Need a hint?

Use server { listen 80; } to start the server block.

3

Apply limit_req inside the server block

Inside the server block, add a limit_req directive that uses the zone one and allows a burst of 2.

Nginx

limit_req_zone $binary_remote_addr zone=one:10m rate=1r/s;

server {
    listen 80;
    # Your code here
}

Need a hint?

Use limit_req zone=one burst=2; inside the server block.

4

Print the final nginx configuration

Print the complete nginx configuration to verify your setup.

Nginx

limit_req_zone $binary_remote_addr zone=one:10m rate=1r/s;

server {
    listen 80;
    limit_req zone=one burst=2;
}

# Your code here

Need a hint?

Use print() to display the full configuration as text.