Overview

In this project, you will learn how to deploy a simple web application (built with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) to the cloud using AWS and popular DevOps tools. You will work with Terraform, Ansible, Docker, and GitHub Actions. This project will introduce you to real-world cloud deployment practices and help you build practical skills that are used daily in the tech industry.

Objectives

By completing this project, you will:

• Provision Infrastructure: Learn to create an AWS EC2 instance using Terraform.
• Configure Servers: Use Ansible to install Docker and Nginx on your EC2 instance.
• Build and Deploy Containers: Set up a GitHub Actions pipeline to build a Docker image, push it to AWS ECR, and deploy it to the EC2 instance.
• Run and Manage Applications: Run your Docker container on EC2, configure the container ports, and set up Nginx as a reverse proxy.
• Monitor and Secure: Enable AWS CloudWatch for logging and monitoring and create secure IAM policies for your resources.

What You Will Learn

This project is designed to introduce you to key cloud and DevOps concepts. Here’s a brief explanation of the main tools and AWS services you will work with:

• Terraform: An "Infrastructure as Code" tool that allows you to create and manage AWS resources using code.
• Ansible: A tool for automating server configuration tasks, such as installing software and setting up environments.
• Docker: A platform for containerizing applications, ensuring they run reliably across different environments.
• GitHub Actions: A service to automate the building, testing, and deployment of your code.
• AWS EC2: Virtual servers in the cloud where your application will run.
• AWS ECR: A repository to store your Docker images.
• AWS CloudWatch: A monitoring service for tracking logs and system performance.
• AWS IAM: A service for managing access and permissions to your AWS resources.

Project Architecture

Your project will involve the following components:

• Web Application: A simple website built with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Containerization: Your web application will be packaged into a Docker container.
• Infrastructure:
• EC2 Instance: A virtual server on AWS that hosts your container.
• ECR: Where your Docker image is stored.
• Nginx: Installed on the EC2 instance to act as a reverse proxy, directing web traffic to your container.
• CloudWatch: Used to monitor logs and system performance.
• IAM: To set up secure access rules for your resources.

Steps Involved

While you will explore and decide the exact details on your own, here are the main tasks that you will work on:

1. Create an EC2 Instance with Terraform: Write Terraform scripts to provision a virtual server on AWS.

2. Install Docker and Nginx with Ansible: Use Ansible playbooks to automate the installation of Docker and Nginx on your EC2 instance.

3. Set Up a GitHub Actions Pipeline: Create a CI/CD pipeline that builds your Docker image, pushes it to AWS ECR, and deploys it to the EC2 instance via SSH.

4. Run the Docker Container on EC2: Use Docker Compose to manage the container and configure the necessary ports.

5. Configure Nginx as a Reverse Proxy: Set up Nginx to route incoming web traffic to your Docker container.

6. Enable CloudWatch Logs: Configure CloudWatch on AWS to collect logs and monitor the performance of your EC2 instance.

7. Create IAM Templates: Develop IAM policies that follow best security practices, ensuring that only the required permissions are granted to your EC2 and other resources.

Expected Outcomes

After completing this project, you will be able to:

• Provision and Manage Cloud Infrastructure: Understand how to use code to create and manage AWS resources.
• Automate Server Configuration: Learn to automate software installations and configurations.
• Deploy Containerized Applications: Gain hands-on experience in building and running Docker containers.
• Implement CI/CD Pipelines: Develop a continuous deployment process that automates testing and deployment.
• Monitor and Secure Applications: Set up monitoring to track your application's performance and enforce security through proper access management.

Real-World Benefits

This project simulates a real-world deployment scenario and provides skills that are in high demand:

• Career Readiness: The techniques you learn are used in modern tech companies.
• Efficiency: Automation reduces manual errors and speeds up deployments.
• Problem Solving: Hands-on experience with debugging and system monitoring prepares you for challenges in the field.
• Security: Understanding IAM and security best practices will help you design safe systems.
• Scalability: Learn how to build systems that can grow and handle increased traffic.

Additional Resources

To help you along the way, refer to these resources:

• AWS Documentation: Detailed guides on EC2, ECR, CloudWatch, and IAM.
• Terraform Documentation: Terraform Docs
• Ansible Documentation: Ansible Docs
• Docker Documentation: Docker Docs
• GitHub Actions Documentation: GitHub Actions Docs

Conclusion

This project is a comprehensive introduction to real-world cloud deployments. You will gain valuable hands-on experience with essential DevOps tools and AWS services. The skills you develop here will serve as a strong foundation for your future studies and professional career in cloud computing and software deployment.