Have you ever operated a website or application on your VPS and thought it was operating slowly? I have. I then used WebSockets and HTTP/2, and everything was fast and smooth. Want to hear why it helped so much?
I once built a small chat app that used WebSockets. I thought for sure my VPS would struggle, but it worked flawlessly. Do you ever test something new, and are ecstatic when it works the first time? That was me.
HTTP/2 transfers many files at a time with the same connection, so your browser isn't endlessly waiting, and here's what makes HTTP/2 better:
A Few Tips to Get Started
So what are you waiting for? Get it up and running, and see how it goes for you. Sounds good, no?
Why I Like Using WebSockets on a VPS
WebSockets allow the server and the user to communicate simultaneously. There is no waiting. There is no resending requests. Everything is updated instantaneously.I once built a small chat app that used WebSockets. I thought for sure my VPS would struggle, but it worked flawlessly. Do you ever test something new, and are ecstatic when it works the first time? That was me.
Why are WebSockets So Useful
- Real-time updates
- Uses less data
- Provides fast response time, which is great for chat apps, games, and dashboards
Why HTTP/2 is Fast
There are times when your website feels slow due to load time, even if your files are small. I was also thinking the same thing, then I added HTTP/2, and it made the speed extremely fast.HTTP/2 transfers many files at a time with the same connection, so your browser isn't endlessly waiting, and here's what makes HTTP/2 better:
- It loads multiple files at the same time
- It has compressed headers, which keeps the request size small
- It can push files ahead of time, before the browser requests them
Using WebSockets and HTTP/2 Together
You can run both on the same VPS, and I like using Nginx or Caddy, because they are really easy to do. Ever tried to do something complicated, and then realized that a simple command would have accomplished the same thing? Yes, that happens all the time with Nginx.A Few Tips to Get Started
- Pick a VPS with a good CPU and SSD
- Open the proper ports in your firewall
- Use HTTPS—WebSockets and http/2 work best
- Keep your server lightweight
Final Thoughts
Using WebSockets and http/2 on your VPS makes your applications feel fast, modern, and real-time. If you're ready to offer your customers even more speed and real-time updates, then this is for you.So what are you waiting for? Get it up and running, and see how it goes for you. Sounds good, no?