diff --git a/nginx.conf b/nginx.conf
index a83844e..d3751d3 100644
--- a/nginx.conf
+++ b/nginx.conf
@@ -21,4 +21,6 @@
         proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
         proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
         proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
+        proxy_read_timeout 86400;
+        proxy_send_timeout 86400;
     }
diff --git a/server.js b/server.js
index 1bac2de..74ebb87 100644
--- a/server.js
+++ b/server.js
@@ -33,7 +33,13 @@ wss.on('connection', (ws) => {
   console.log('Client connected');
 
   ws.on('message', (message) => {
-    console.log('Received:', Buffer.from(message).toString());
+    const msg = Buffer.from(message).toString();
+    if (msg === '{"type":"ping"}') {
+      // Respond to ping to keep connection alive
+      ws.send(JSON.stringify({ type: 'pong' }));
+    } else {
+      console.log('Received:', msg);
+    }
   });
 
   ws.on('error', (error) => {
diff --git a/src/App.js b/src/App.js
index 036c244..0c0fd29 100644
--- a/src/App.js
+++ b/src/App.js
@@ -1,20 +1,26 @@
-import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
+import React from 'react';
 
-function App() {
-  const [counter, setCounter] = useState(0);
-  const [ws, setWs] = useState(null);
+class App extends React.Component {
+  constructor(props) {
+    super(props);
+    this.state = {
+      counter: 0,
+      ws: null,
+    };
+    this.pingInterval = null;
+  }
 
-  useEffect(() => {
+  componentDidMount() {
     // Fetch initial counter value
     fetch('/api/counter')
       .then(response => response.json())
-      .then(data => setCounter(data.value))
+      .then(data => this.setState({ counter: data.value }))
       .catch(error => console.error('Error fetching counter:', error));
 
     // Connect to WebSocket - use dynamic URL based on current location
     const protocol = window.location.protocol === 'https:' ? 'wss:' : 'ws:';
     const websocket = new WebSocket(`${protocol}//${window.location.host}/counter-ws`);
-    setWs(websocket);
+    this.setState({ ws: websocket });
 
     websocket.onopen = () => {
       console.log('WebSocket connected');
@@ -27,7 +33,10 @@ function App() {
     websocket.onmessage = (event) => {
       const data = JSON.parse(event.data);
       if (data.type === 'counter-update') {
-        setCounter(data.value);
+        this.setState({ counter: data.value });
+      } else if (data.type === 'pong') {
+        // Pong received, connection is alive
+        console.log('Pong received');
       }
     };
 
@@ -35,36 +44,50 @@ function App() {
       console.log('WebSocket disconnected', 'Code:', event.code, 'Reason:', event.reason);
     };
 
-    return () => {
-      websocket.close();
-    };
-  }, []);
+    // Send ping every 30 seconds to keep connection alive
+    this.pingInterval = setInterval(() => {
+      if (websocket.readyState === WebSocket.OPEN) {
+        websocket.send(JSON.stringify({ type: 'ping' }));
+      }
+    }, 30000);
+  }
 
-  const incrementCounter = () => {
+  componentWillUnmount() {
+    if (this.pingInterval) {
+      clearInterval(this.pingInterval);
+    }
+    if (this.state.ws) {
+      this.state.ws.close();
+    }
+  }
+
+  incrementCounter = () => {
     fetch('/api/counter/increment', {
       method: 'POST',
     })
       .then(response => response.json())
       .then(data => {
-        setCounter(data.value);
+        this.setState({ counter: data.value });
         // Broadcast update via WebSocket
-        if (ws && ws.readyState === WebSocket.OPEN) {
-          ws.send(JSON.stringify({ type: 'counter-update', value: data.value }));
+        if (this.state.ws && this.state.ws.readyState === WebSocket.OPEN) {
+          this.state.ws.send(JSON.stringify({ type: 'counter-update', value: data.value }));
         }
       })
       .catch(error => console.error('Error incrementing counter:', error));
   };
 
-  return (
-    <div style={{ textAlign: 'center', marginTop: '50px' }}>
-      <h1>Shared Counter Demo</h1>
-      <h2>Counter: {counter}</h2>
-      <button onClick={incrementCounter} style={{ fontSize: '20px', padding: '10px 20px' }}>
-        Increment
-      </button>
-      <p>Open this page in multiple tabs to see real-time syncing!</p>
-    </div>
-  );
+  render() {
+    return (
+      <div style={{ textAlign: 'center', marginTop: '50px' }}>
+        <h1>Shared Counter Demo</h1>
+        <h2>Counter: {this.state.counter}</h2>
+        <button onClick={this.incrementCounter} style={{ fontSize: '20px', padding: '10px 20px' }}>
+          Increment
+        </button>
+        <p>Open this page in multiple tabs to see real-time syncing!</p>
+      </div>
+    );
+  }
 }
 
 export default App;
\ No newline at end of file