> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://localxpose.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://localxpose.gitbook.io/docs/tutorials/expose-apache-nginx-web-server.md).

# Expose Apache/Nginx web server

This tutorial will explain how to expose a localhost Apache/Nginx web server and give it a shareable link that is accessible from the internet.

There are multiple ways to reach our locahost web server depends on your requirements.

1. [Using HTTP Tunnel.](#1.-using-http-tunnel)
2. [Using TLS tunnel.](#2.-using-tls-tunnel)
3. [Using TCP tunnel.](#3.-using-tcp-tunnel)

## 1. Using HTTP Tunnel: 

### a. Prepare Apache/Nginx web server

We will run Apache or Nginx web server through docker:

```
docker run -p 3000:80 httpd
docker run -p 3000:80 nginx
```

This will run Apache/Nginx web server in localhost:3000

### b. Start HTTP tunnel

Run HTTP tunnel and point it to Apache/Nginx web server

```
loclx tunnel http --subdomain apache --to localhost:3000 
```

After creating the tunnel and getting a shareable link to our website, we can access the website through `https://apache.loclx.io` or `http://apache.loclx.io`.

## 2. Using TLS tunnel

### a. Prepare Apache/Nginx web server

We will run Apache/Nginx web server through docker as we did with HTTP tunnel above:

```
docker run -p 3000:80 httpd
docker run -p 3000:80 nginx
```

This will run Apache/Nginx web server in localhost:3000

### b. Start TLS tunnel

You either can:

* Let LocalXpose client to terminate the TLS traffic by providing the TLS certificate , so in this case you don't need to configure your Apache/Nginx web server TLS settings for example:

```
loclx tunnel tls --to localhost:3000 --crt /path/to/crt.pem --key /path/to/key.pem
```

* Or configure your Apache or Nginx web server to deal with TLS termination by using `mod_ssl` module for Apache and for Nginx you can follow this tutorial <https://nginx.org/en/docs/http/configuring_https_servers.html>, then you don't need to pass the TLS certificate to LocalXpose client for example:

```
loclx tunnel tls --to localhost:443
```

Now the TLS tunnel will be accessible from the internet through `https://your-domain.com`.

{% hint style="info" %}
Note that TLS tunnel will only accept connection from the internet on port `443`.

Since you are using TLS tunnel to access your localhost webserver, you will not be able to use [HTTP middlewares](/docs/tunnels/http/http-s-plugins.md).
{% endhint %}

## 3. Using TCP tunnel

Since HTTP works on top of TCP, then a TCP tunnel will also works.

### a. Prepare Apache/Nginx web server as we did before in TLS and HTTP tunnel.

### b. Start TCP tunnel

```
loclx tunnel tcp --port 8888 --to 3000
```

This will create a TCP tunnel us.loclx.io:8888, you can access your Apache/Nginx webserver from the internet through `http://us.loclx.io:8888`

{% hint style="info" %}
Since you are using TCP tunnel to access your localhost webserver, you will not be able to use [HTTP middlewares](/docs/tunnels/http/http-s-plugins.md).
{% endhint %}