Deploying Node.js applications with Plesk allows you to host and manage Node.js applications on your server, providing a platform for running server-side JavaScript code. Plesk provides native support for Node.js, making it easy to deploy, manage, and scale Node.js applications within the Plesk environment. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to deploy Node.js applications with Plesk:

Accessing Plesk Control Panel:

1. Log in to Plesk:
   • Log in to your Plesk control panel using your administrator credentials.

Installing Node.js Support:

2. Enable Node.js Extension:

   • If the Node.js extension is not already installed, navigate to the "Extensions" tab in the Plesk control panel and search for "Node.js." Install the Node.js extension to enable Node.js support in Plesk.

3. Verify Node.js Installation:

   • Once installed, verify that Node.js is successfully installed and available on your server. You can check Node.js status and version information from the Node.js extension interface in Plesk.

Creating Node.js Applications:

4. Navigate to Node.js Applications:

   • Access the Node.js applications management interface from the "Websites & Domains" tab in the Plesk control panel.

5. Add New Node.js Application:

   • Click on the "Add Node.js Application" button to create a new Node.js application. Enter the application name, specify the application root directory, and select the Node.js version to use.

6. Configure Application Settings:

   • Customize application settings such as startup file, environment variables, and application mode (e.g., development, production). Specify additional options such as Node.js engine parameters and application startup script.

Deploying Node.js Applications:

7. Upload Application Files:

   • Upload your Node.js application files to the specified application root directory on your server. Ensure that your application files include the necessary dependencies, configuration files, and entry point script (e.g., app.js).

8. Install Dependencies:

   • Install application dependencies using npm (Node.js Package Manager) or yarn. Navigate to the application root directory in the Plesk File Manager or connect to your server via SSH and run npm install or yarn install to install dependencies.

Managing Node.js Applications:

9. Start Application:

   • Start your Node.js application from the Node.js applications management interface in Plesk. Click on the "Start" button next to the application to initiate the application startup process.

10. Monitor Application Logs:

    • Monitor application logs and view real-time output from the Node.js application startup process. Check for any error messages or issues that may occur during application startup or runtime.

11. Restart Application:

    • Restart your Node.js application if needed from the Node.js applications management interface. Click on the "Restart" button to stop and restart the application process.

Scaling and Optimization:

12. Scale Applications:

    • Scale Node.js applications horizontally or vertically to handle increased traffic and workload demands. Deploy multiple instances of the same application and distribute traffic across instances using load balancing and scaling strategies.

13. Optimize Performance:

    • Optimize Node.js application performance by tuning application configurations, optimizing code, and leveraging caching and performance optimization techniques. Monitor application performance metrics and identify areas for improvement.

Conclusion:

By following these steps, you can deploy and manage Node.js applications with Plesk, leveraging the power and flexibility of Node.js within the Plesk environment. Plesk's native support for Node.js simplifies the deployment process and provides a user-friendly interface for managing Node.js applications, allowing you to focus on developing and running your Node.js applications with ease. Whether you're hosting a single application or managing multiple applications, Plesk provides the tools and features you need to deploy, manage, and scale Node.js applications effectively.