How to Set Up RTMP Server with NGINX for OBS Streaming?

Many streamers use platforms such as Twitch.tv to deliver their video content. While these platforms offer sufficient features for most regular streamers, tech-savvy professionals often require additional capabilities, such as more control over streams, the ability to provide other users to stream to them, or stream to multiple platforms. These scenarios involve the use of an RTMP server. Many streamers have switched to private RTMP servers for streaming, instead of common services such as YouTube that hold content behind advertisements. In this article, we will explore how to set up an RTMP server with NGINX for OBS streaming.

What Are the System Requirements for Setting Up NGINX RTMP Server?

NGINX is an open-source software that was designed as a web server, and now supports other applications such as reverse proxying, caching, load balancing, and media streaming, among others. The NGINX RTMP module can be used with the NGINX web server along with other open-source applications such as OBS for live streaming using HLS and RTMP protocols. Here are the system requirements for setting up the NGINX RTMP server for live streaming.

• Users need a server box or a VPS (virtual private server) with sufficient bandwidth. The bandwidth requirement can be estimated by multiplying the size of the stream by the sum of the estimated number of viewers and uploaders.
• While NGINX is designed for Ubuntu OS, users can opt for the widely used Windows Server operating system with command modifications.
• Although RTMP is light on system resources and can be supported on a system with as little as 2GB RAM, it is recommended to use a virtual machine with 4GB RAM, a 20GB hard drive, and an equivalent of Intel i7 processor core to support live streaming.

How to Use NGINX RTMP Server for OBS Streaming?

While the exact procedure to set up NGINX can vary depending on the operating system, here is an overview of the process involved in setting up an RTMP Server with NGINX for OBS streaming.

• Login to the server as a root user using the secure shell protocol (SSH).
• Install NGINX and the RTMP module on the server.
• Configure NGINX to use the RTMP module This will allow users to forward the RTMP stream to other places.
• Install OBS on the machine, and select Screen Capture by clicking on the + under Source when the application launches.
• Provide the IP address of the streaming server and the Stream Key.
• Use the stream key used earlier in OBS in the preferred platform or application to view the stream.

Apps4Rent Can Help with Cloud Hosting for Live Streaming Server

While setting up an RTMP server is possible on even a basic machine such as a Raspberry Pi, there could be dynamic IP issues with residential hosting. Additionally, there could be bandwidth issues when several streamers stream to the server. These challenges can be mitigated with dedicated OBS hosting.

As a Citrix and Microsoft Partner, Apps4Rent can host OBS and NGINX RTMP servers in the cloud on virtual machines in our top-tier SSAE-16 level datacenters or Azure. Contact our OBS solution architects, available 24/7 via phone, chat, and email for assistance.