nginx (pronounced "engine-x") is a powerful, open-source web server software that also functions as a reverse proxy, load balancer, and HTTP cache. Originally created to solve the C10k problem (handling 10,000 concurrent connections), it has become one of the most popular web servers globally, known for its high performance, stability, and low resource consumption.

Unlike traditional servers that create a new process for each connection, nginx uses an asynchronous, event-driven architecture. This allows it to handle thousands of concurrent requests efficiently with minimal memory usage. For hosting customers, this translates to:

• Faster website loading for visitors
• Better performance under heavy traffic
• Reduced server resource requirements

In a typical hosting environment, nginx often serves as a front-end proxy for application servers (like PHP-FPM) or other web servers. It efficiently:

1. Processes static content (images, CSS, JavaScript) directly
2. Routes dynamic requests to appropriate backend servers
3. Compresses content to reduce bandwidth usage
4. Implements SSL/TLS encryption for secure connections

For website owners, nginx offers significant advantages including improved security through better request filtering, superior caching capabilities that reduce server load, and flexible configuration options. Many hosting providers choose nginx because it delivers excellent performance while using fewer system resources than alternatives, making it ideal for both small websites and large-scale applications.