Proxy Setup for Multi-Instance Rigs: Using Nginx guide illustration
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Proxy Setup for Multi-Instance Rigs: Using Nginx

Table of Contents

Power users often find that a single CaptureGem instance isn’t enough. Whether you’re separating sites to manage different storage pools or running different “rig profiles,” running multiple instances on one machine is a pro-tier workflow.

The challenge is remote access: how do you access the Monitor API for instance #1 and instance #2 without remembering dozens of port numbers? The solution is Nginx Reverse Proxy.

1. Why use a Reverse Proxy?

By default, each CaptureGem instance uses a specific port (e.g., 8080, 8081). A reverse proxy allows you to access them via clean URLs:

  • http://rig.local/monitor1 -> Instance #1
  • http://rig.local/monitor2 -> Instance #2

2. Basic Nginx Configuration

Install Nginx on your recording machine. Then, create a configuration file (usually in /etc/nginx/sites-available/capturegem):

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name rig.local;

    # Instance 1
    location /monitor1/ {
        proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:8080/;
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
    }

    # Instance 2
    location /monitor2/ {
        proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:8081/;
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
    }
}

3. Handling WebSockets

CaptureGem’s Monitor uses WebSockets for real-time status updates. Ensure your Nginx config supports them by adding these lines to your location blocks:

proxy_http_version 1.1;
proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
proxy_set_header Connection "upgrade";

4. Running Multi-Instances on Windows

If you are on Windows, you can achieve the same using Nginx for Windows or by using subdomains with a tool like Tailscale or Cloudflare Tunnel.

  1. Launch the first instance normally.
  2. Launch the second instance with the --port 8081 and --config-dir "C:\CG-Instance2" flags.
  3. Point Nginx to the respective ports.

5. Benefits of the Proxy Approach

  • Consolidated Access: Access all your rigs from one bookmark.
  • SSL Support: Easily add HTTPS to your local Monitor using Nginx and mkcert.
  • Security: Add Basic Auth at the Nginx level for an extra layer of protection if exposing the monitor to your local network.

By moving to a multi-instance, proxy-managed setup, you gain the ultimate flexibility in how you capture and archive your high-fidelity streams.

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