9.3 - Project 2: Deploying a Web Application Using EC2 and RDS
Enroll to start learning
Youβve not yet enrolled in this course. Please enroll for free to listen to audio lessons, classroom podcasts and take practice test.
Interactive Audio Lesson
Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.
Creating an RDS Instance
π Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
To kick off our project, the first step is to create an RDS instance. Does anyone know why we would choose RDS over managing a database ourselves?
I think RDS helps us manage database scaling and backups easily.
Exactly! Amazon RDS automates management tasks. Now, we specifically choose MySQL in our case. Can anyone tell me the reason for using MySQL?
MySQL is a widely used relational database and is compatible with many web applications.
Great point! You'll also set the username, password, and database name while ensuring it's publicly accessible for testing. Let's summarize: RDS provides automated scaling and management for MySQL databases, which is perfect for our web applications!
Launching an EC2 Instance
π Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Next up is launching our EC2 instance. Can someone remind us which instance type we are using for this project?
We're using the t2.micro instance to stay within the Free Tier.
Correct! We'll be running Amazon Linux 2 as our operating system. It allows for great compatibility with our web applications. Why is it important to open ports 22 and 80?
Port 22 is for SSH access, and port 80 is for HTTP traffic, allowing users to access the web application.
Exactly! We'll be using port 80 for our web server to communicate. Summarizing this session: We launch an EC2 instance with Amazon Linux 2, specifying Free Tier type and opening the required ports for access.
Connecting to EC2 and Setting Up Server
π Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Now, let's connect to the EC2 instance via SSH. What command would we use to do that?
We'd use `ssh -i your-key.pem ec2-user@your-instance-public-ip`.
Good job! After connecting, we'll need to update the system. Can anyone share the command for that?
We can run `sudo yum update -y`.
Exactly! Then weβll install 'httpd', 'php', and 'php-mysqlnd'. Remember, we have to start the httpd service, and enabling it will make it start automatically on boot. Let's encapsulate this: We connect via SSH, update the system, install necessary software, and configure the web server!
Deploying Web App Code
π Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Now let's talk about deploying our web app code. What are the two main methods we have to upload our code to the EC2 instance?
We could use SCP to transfer files or create the code manually directly on the instance.
Correct! And donβt forget to include your database connection script. Why is that important?
Itβs important to ensure that our application can interact with the RDS database to fetch and store data.
Exactly! Make sure this script points to the RDS endpoint. In summary: Upload your web app code while ensuring the database connection script is properly configured!
Testing the Connection and Application
π Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Finally, how do we test if our application is working?
We can browse to the EC2 public IP address to see if the web app loads.
Correct! And how do we test the connection to RDS?
We can check if our web app functions properly when performing database operations.
Exactly! After ensuring everything is running, you will have successfully deployed a web application on AWS. Summary: Always remember to test your EC2 public IP for the web application and validate the database connection.
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
The section contains a step-by-step guide to deploying a dynamic web application utilizing Amazon EC2 for hosting the web server and Amazon RDS for managing the database, aimed at providing hands-on experience with AWS infrastructure.
Detailed
Detailed Summary
This section focuses on the specifics of deploying a dynamic web application using AWS services, primarily Amazon EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) and Amazon RDS (Relational Database Service).
Key Steps Explained:
- Creating an RDS Instance:
- The process begins by setting up an RDS instance with MySQL, ensuring to utilize Free Tier settings to minimize costs. The instance is configured to be publicly accessible which is ideal for testing purposes.
- Launching an EC2 Instance:
- Next, an EC2 instance is launched with Amazon Linux 2 as the operating system. The t2.micro type is chosen to remain within the Free Tier benefits. Itβs crucial to open the necessary ports (22 for SSH and 80 for HTTP) to allow for access.
- Connecting and Setting Up the Server:
- Users will connect to the EC2 instance via SSH to update the system and install the required web server (Apache) and PHP client for MySQL databases, initiating the web server service.
- Deploying Web App Code:
- Code for the web application needs to be uploaded onto the EC2 instance, which includes implementing a database connection script that links to the previously established RDS instance.
- Testing the Application:
- Finally, testing involves verifying the application's connection to the RDS instance and browsing the application using the public IP of the EC2 instance.
Conclusion
This project serves as a practical introduction to cloud-based web application deployment, providing insight into the integration of different AWS services to successfully create a functional web application.
Audio Book
Dive deep into the subject with an immersive audiobook experience.
Goal of Project 2
Chapter 1 of 6
π Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
π Goal:
Deploy a dynamic web app (e.g., PHP + MySQL) using Amazon EC2 and Amazon RDS.
Detailed Explanation
The goal of this project is to set up a dynamic web application that utilizes Amazon EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) for hosting and Amazon RDS (Relational Database Service) for the database management. The example provided is a combination of PHP for the server-side scripting and MySQL as the backend database, which allows for dynamic content generation based on user interactions.
Examples & Analogies
Think of Amazon EC2 as a virtual computer in the cloud that you can rent out to run applications, similar to how you might rent a physical office space for your business. Amazon RDS, on the other hand, is like having a secure filing cabinet inside that office where you store all your important documents (data) in an organized way.
Creating an RDS Instance
Chapter 2 of 6
π Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
β
Steps:
1. Create an RDS Instance:
β Choose MySQL.
β Use Free Tier settings.
β Set username/password and database name.
β Make it publicly accessible for testing.
Detailed Explanation
In this step, you will create an RDS instance using MySQL, which involves selecting the MySQL option, utilizing AWS's Free Tier to avoid costs, defining a username and password for security, and choosing a database name. Making the instance publicly accessible allows you to connect to it from your web application for testing purposes.
Examples & Analogies
Creating an RDS instance is like setting up a new storage room where you determine who has the keys (username/password) and what youβll name it (database name). By making it publicly accessible, you're allowing your coworkers (your web app) to easily retrieve important files (data) stored inside.
Launching an EC2 Instance
Chapter 3 of 6
π Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
- Launch an EC2 instance:
β Choose Amazon Linux 2.
β Use Free Tier t2.micro.
β Open ports 22 (SSH), 80 (HTTP).
Detailed Explanation
Here, you will set up an EC2 instance by choosing the Amazon Linux 2 operating system, which is optimized for performance and security. The t2.micro is a free option under the AWS Free Tier that allows you to run your application without incurring costs. It is crucial to open ports 22 for SSH access (secure shell, for remotely accessing your instance) and port 80 for HTTP (for serving web pages to users).
Examples & Analogies
Launching an EC2 instance is similar to renting a new office space where you select the operating system as the buildingβs structure. The t2.micro size is like choosing a small meeting room, just big enough to host your initial discussions (web application). Opening the doors (ports) allows clients (users) to enter safely or communicate securely.
Connecting to EC2 and Installing Software
Chapter 4 of 6
π Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
- Connect to EC2 via SSH and install web server + MySQL client:
sudo yum update -y
sudo yum install -y httpd php php-mysqlnd
sudo systemctl start httpd
sudo systemctl enable httpd.
Detailed Explanation
Once the EC2 instance is running, you will connect to it using SSH, which provides a secure way to access your instance's command line. You will then update the system for compatibility and install necessary software: the Apache web server (httpd), the PHP programming language, and the necessary MySQL client modules to interact with the database. Finally, you'll start the web server and ensure it is set to run automatically at startup.
Examples & Analogies
Connecting via SSH is like getting the keys to your office to enter it and start setting it up. Installing the software is like furnishing the room with desks (web server) where coding happens (PHP) and file storage access (MySQL client) to manage all necessary documents.
Deploying Web App Code
Chapter 5 of 6
π Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
- Deploy Web App Code:
β Upload using SCP or create manually.
β Include a DB connection script pointing to your RDS endpoint.
Detailed Explanation
In this step, you will upload your web application code to the EC2 instance. You can use SCP (Secure Copy Protocol) for transferring files securely or create files directly on the instance. It's essential to include a database connection script within your app, which contains the credentials and endpoint needed to communicate with the RDS database.
Examples & Analogies
This step is akin to moving into your new office and adding all the equipment and supplies you need to work effectively. The connection script is like a phone directory that ensures you can reach out to your filing cabinet (the RDS database) when you need to retrieve or store important documents (data).
Testing the Application
Chapter 6 of 6
π Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
- Test Connection to RDS and browse app using EC2 public IP.
Detailed Explanation
Once the web application code is deployed, you will test the connection to the RDS database by ensuring that your web application can interact with it as intended. You will use the public IP address of the EC2 instance to access your web application in a browser, verifying that everything is functioning correctly.
Examples & Analogies
Testing the application is like inviting people to your office for the first time to see if everything is working. You check to make sure that they can use the computer (web app) to access files (database) stored in the filing cabinet (RDS) without any issues.
Key Concepts
-
RDS Instance: A managed database service provided by AWS to simplify the database setup and management process.
-
EC2 Instance: A virtual server in AWS that runs applications and services.
-
SSH Access: Securely connecting to a remote server using a command-line tool.
-
Web Server Setup: The process of installing and configuring web server software to serve web applications.
Examples & Applications
An example of deploying a simple PHP web application connecting to a MySQL database hosted on RDS.
Using the public IP of the EC2 instance to access a dynamically generated webpage.
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
To start your RDS without a fuss, set users and public access, thatβs a must!
Stories
Imagine a team of developers looking to deploy their web app. They first gather at a virtual cloud, set their MySQL on RDS, deploy their code on EC2, and finally dance with joy as their app comes to life with just a public IP.
Memory Tools
To remember the deployment steps, think: R-E-C-T for Relational (RDS), Elastic (EC2), Code (App Code), Test (Application).
Acronyms
Create RDS, Launch EC2, Connect, Deploy, Test β A quick rule to remember deployment!
Flash Cards
Glossary
- EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud)
Amazon EC2 provides scalable computing capacity in the AWS cloud, allowing users to run applications in a virtual environment.
- RDS (Relational Database Service)
AWS RDS is a managed database service that simplifies setting up, operating, and scaling a relational database in the cloud.
- MySQL
An open-source relational database management system organized around a table-based format.
- SCP (Secure Copy Protocol)
A method for securely transferring files between a local host and a remote server.
- HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)
The foundation of any data exchange on the Web and it is a protocol used for transmitting data.
Reference links
Supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience.