NGINX Certbot Automation

Description

This role automates the setup of an automatic Let’s Encrypt certificate renewal system for NGINX using Certbot. It ensures that SSL/TLS certificates are renewed seamlessly in the background and that NGINX reloads automatically after successful renewals.

Overview

Optimized for Archlinux systems, this role installs the certbot-NGINX package, configures a dedicated systemd service for certificate renewal, and integrates with a sys-timer to schedule periodic renewals. After a renewal, NGINX is reloaded to apply the updated certificates immediately.

Key Features

  • Automatic Renewal: Schedules unattended certificate renewals using sys-timers.

  • Seamless NGINX Reload: Reloads the NGINX service automatically after successful renewals.

  • Systemd Integration: Manages renewal operations reliably with systemd and sys-ctl-alm-compose.

  • Quiet and Safe Operation: Uses --quiet and --agree-tos flags to ensure non-interactive renewals.

Cosmos

The diagram places NGINX Certbot Automation in the Infinito.Nexus cosmos: the components it deploys (capabilities), the central services it consumes (dependencies), and its outward reach (federation and bridged external networks).

flowchart LR
    subgraph deps [Dependencies]
        dep_sys_ctl_cln_certs["sys-ctl-cln-certs 💻 ⚙️"]
    end
    subgraph role [sys-ctl-mtn-cert-renew 💻]
        svc_cert_renew["cert-renew"]
    end
    dep_sys_ctl_cln_certs -- "1:1" --> svc_cert_renew

Solid 1:1 edges are fixed relationships; dashed 0..1 edges are conditional (enabled only in matching deployments); red 0..0 edges are turned off in this role. Node markers show the role’s deploy modes (💻 host, 🐳 compose, 🐝 swarm); ❌ marks a service that is explicitly turned off, and ⚙️ an Ansible role dependency declared in meta/main.yml.

Purpose

The NGINX Certbot Automation role ensures that Let’s Encrypt SSL/TLS certificates stay valid without manual intervention. It enhances the security and reliability of web services by automating certificate lifecycle management.

Features

  • Certbot-NGINX Package Installation: Installs required certbot plugins for NGINX.

  • Custom Systemd Service: Configures a lightweight, dedicated renewal service.

  • Timer Setup: Uses sys-timer to run certbot renewals periodically.

  • Failure Notification: Integrated with sys-ctl-alm-compose for alerting on failures.

Learn More

Credits

Implemented by Kevin Veen-Birkenbach. Part of the Infinito.Nexus Project and maintained by Kevin Veen-Birkenbach. Licensed under the Infinito.Nexus Community License (Non-Commercial).