Deploying web applications can seem daunting, especially for developers just starting their journey in cloud hosting. However, by utilizing Amazon Web Services (AWS) EC2 instances, you can seamlessly host your Node.js application on the internet. In this guide, we’ll walk through the essential steps involved in deploying a Node.js app connected to a PostgreSQL database hosted on an EC2 instance.
Setting Up Your EC2 Instance
To begin, log into your AWS Console and navigate to the EC2 dashboard. The first step is to launch an EC2 instance.
Choosing the Instance Type:
After selecting to launch an instance, name your application (e.g., 'my web app').
Once your instance is launched, you’ll need to connect to it using SSH:
Use the downloaded key pair to establish a connection from your terminal. Move the key file to your SSH folder for better organization.
Ensure the permissions on the key file are set correctly to enable a secure connection.
Execute the SSH login command using the provided instance details. Upon successful connection, your terminal will indicate that you are now operating within the Ubuntu environment.
Initial Configuration
Perform some initial configurations to prepare your environment:
Updating Packages:
It's crucial to update and upgrade Linux packages to maintain security and functionality.
Subsequently, proceed to install Node.js, as it serves as the runtime for your application. You can check the installation by running commands within the Node environment.
Preparing Your Application Code:
Transfer your application files from your local machine to the EC2 instance. Using rsync allows you to efficiently sync your files, minimizing transfer size by only sending updated files.
Building Your Application:
If you’ve written your application in TypeScript, compile it into JavaScript on the server using npm commands.
Setting Up PostgreSQL Database
With your application code in place, the next step is to set up your PostgreSQL database:
Install PostgreSQL:
Run the necessary commands to install the PostgreSQL database on your EC2 instance.
Subsequently, proceed to install Node.js, as it serves as the runtime for your application. You can check the installation by running commands within the Node environment.
Preparing Your Application Code:
Transfer your application files from your local machine to the EC2 instance. Using rsync allows you to efficiently sync your files, minimizing transfer size by only sending updated files.
Building Your Application:
If you’ve written your application in TypeScript, compile it into JavaScript on the server using npm commands.
Setting Up PostgreSQL Database
With your application code in place, the next step is to set up your PostgreSQL database:
Install PostgreSQL:
Run the necessary commands to install the PostgreSQL database on your EC2 instance.
While deploying a Node.js application to an AWS EC2 instance may appear complex at first, breaking the process down into manageable steps makes it straightforward. This foundational knowledge not only allows you to host web apps but also prepares you for scale and increased efficiency. As you grow more comfortable with these steps, automating the deployment process will further enhance your workflow for larger projects.
By following these steps, you'll have successfully hosted your Node.js application with a PostgreSQL backend, and understand the necessary components involved in creating a robust web application ecosystem on AWS.
Part 1/8:
Hosting a Node.js Application on AWS EC2
Deploying web applications can seem daunting, especially for developers just starting their journey in cloud hosting. However, by utilizing Amazon Web Services (AWS) EC2 instances, you can seamlessly host your Node.js application on the internet. In this guide, we’ll walk through the essential steps involved in deploying a Node.js app connected to a PostgreSQL database hosted on an EC2 instance.
Setting Up Your EC2 Instance
To begin, log into your AWS Console and navigate to the EC2 dashboard. The first step is to launch an EC2 instance.
Part 2/8:
Connecting via SSH
Part 3/8:
Once your instance is launched, you’ll need to connect to it using SSH:
Use the downloaded key pair to establish a connection from your terminal. Move the key file to your SSH folder for better organization.
Ensure the permissions on the key file are set correctly to enable a secure connection.
Execute the SSH login command using the provided instance details. Upon successful connection, your terminal will indicate that you are now operating within the Ubuntu environment.
Initial Configuration
Perform some initial configurations to prepare your environment:
Part 4/8:
rsyncallows you to efficiently sync your files, minimizing transfer size by only sending updated files.Setting Up PostgreSQL Database
With your application code in place, the next step is to set up your PostgreSQL database:
Part 4/8:
rsyncallows you to efficiently sync your files, minimizing transfer size by only sending updated files.Setting Up PostgreSQL Database
With your application code in place, the next step is to set up your PostgreSQL database:
Part 5/8:
Running the Application on the Server
With everything in place, it's time to run the application:
Use
npm startto launch your Node.js application, which will run it on port 3000.Adjust your EC2 security group settings to allow traffic on port 3000 temporarily for testing.
Setting Up a Reverse Proxy with Caddy
Part 6/8:
To make your application accessible via HTTP and HTTPS, you must set up a reverse proxy:
Running Your Application as a Service with SystemD
To keep your application running in the background:
Part 6/8:
To make your application accessible via HTTP and HTTPS, you must set up a reverse proxy:
Running Your Application as a Service with SystemD
To keep your application running in the background:
Part 7/8:
Conclusion
Part 8/8:
While deploying a Node.js application to an AWS EC2 instance may appear complex at first, breaking the process down into manageable steps makes it straightforward. This foundational knowledge not only allows you to host web apps but also prepares you for scale and increased efficiency. As you grow more comfortable with these steps, automating the deployment process will further enhance your workflow for larger projects.
By following these steps, you'll have successfully hosted your Node.js application with a PostgreSQL backend, and understand the necessary components involved in creating a robust web application ecosystem on AWS.