9.3. Project 2: Deploying a Web Application Using EC2 and RDS

🌎 Goal: Deploy a dynamic web app (e.g., PHP + MySQL) using Amazon EC2 and Amazon RDS.

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.

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.

✅ Steps:

1. Create an RDS Instance: ○ Choose MySQL. ○ Use Free Tier settings. ○ Set username/password and database name. ○ Make it publicly accessible for testing.

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.

Creating an RDS instance is like setting up a new storage room where you determine who has the keys (username/password) and what you’ll 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.

2. Launch an EC2 instance: ○ Choose Amazon Linux 2. ○ Use Free Tier t2.micro. ○ Open ports 22 (SSH), 80 (HTTP).

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).

Launching an EC2 instance is similar to renting a new office space where you select the operating system as the building’s 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.

3. 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.

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.

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.

4. Deploy Web App Code: ○ Upload using SCP or create manually. ○ Include a DB connection script pointing to your RDS endpoint.

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.

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).

5. Test Connection to RDS and browse app using EC2 public IP.

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.

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.

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