Deploying Node.js Apps to AWS: All You Need to Know
Each day we learn a new method of creating applications in this fast-paced technological world. Deploying apps can be challenging from time to time. Developers put in considerable effort to deploy these apps.
One of the applications that developers deploy in multiple ways is Node.js. In this article, we will discuss how to deploy Node.js to AWS. Deploying an app isn’t just about deploying it, but doing it the right way and in a secure manner.
The guide will also cover exactly how to deploy a high-availability Node.js app on AWS.
Besides, this article will also cover every aspect systematically.
Node.Js: Definition
JavaScript runs on Node.js, which is an open-source, cross-platform runtime environment. Node.js provides asynchronous I/O data structures that prevent JavaScript code from blocking. In a Node.js application, there is no need to start a new process with every request. This makes it a popular framework for almost any job.
AWS: Definition
AWS provides a comprehensive cloud-based platform. It encompasses cloud infrastructure (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS). Companies can use AWS to access computing power, database storage, and file sharing. In simplest terms, AWS is a secure cloud platform for hosting web application servers.
EC2 Instance: Definition
A basic understanding of the EC2 instance is that it is a virtual environment. It helps the user to rent an instance that has already been installed using the operating system and software to deploy the application in it. EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) is also an instance. EC2 in AWS provides flexible processing capability without investing in hardware or software.
You can build many more cloud services as you need to manage security and networking. You can easily manage storage by using Amazon EC2. Basically, EC2 in AWS allows using virtual machines.
Here, you will choose a platform to run your web apps on it. And each platform has its own set of programs, application settings, and plugins. It helps to enable a specific language version, framework, and web container.
The remote user that runs in front of your software application sends requests to it, offers unchanging files, and provides access and error messages is generally Apache or NGINX.
Deploying Node.js Apps to AWS: Prerequisites
Before we go ahead, you will be needing a few steps to set up the whole thing. Below we will show you some basic prerequisites to deploy Node.js app on EC2 instances AWS:
- AWS Account: Before starting delivering facilities for running the website, you’ll need to get an AWS account. Therefore, it is essential to create an account on Amazon Web Services (AWS).
- IT Expertise: To successfully complete the project, a basic knowledge of cloud computing and Node.js is needed. At the same time, it is not required to complete the whole task.
- AWS Familiarity: You don’t have to gain in-depth knowledge about Amazon Web Service. It won’t make it hard for you to complete the project with less experience with AWS.
- Coding: This feature will let you deploy your application if you already have code. You can also apply sample code to your project.
Besides these steps, you also have to install Node.js, launch the EC2 instance, select a Linux/Unix, review and launch, connect to EC2 via SSH, set up Node.js, and run. Once all the steps are done, you are ready to deploy. These are the basics you should know before entering into deploying Node.js.
Why you should Deploy Node.js Apps to AWS
You can deploy the Node.js app in various ways, be it on the cloud or on-premises. But doing it in the right way is the main factor here. Deploying Node.js to AWS one of the reasons is Amazon web service provides many tools and services.
Besides, it maintains the security of the cloud. You will find many beneficial offers in AWS. Down below you will see a few more reasons for this. Take a look:
- Deploy AWS Elastic Beanstalk and Amazon DynamoDB to develop a Node.js web server infrastructure. Elastic Beanstalk keeps track of the infrastructure such as Amazon EC2 instances, stack components, software, database server, and language/framework for you. And the NoSQL database being provided by DynamoDB.
- Install AWS Elastic Beanstalk to build your web application. You’ll transfer your code to Elastic Beanstalk, which will take control of the deployment.
- Through Amazon Alert System, you can now get email notifications from (Amazon SNS). If you’re using the sample app, you’ll receive notifications from Amazon SNS whenever someone enters your DynamoDB table.
FAQs
Why should we use Nginx to deploy a Node.js app to AWS?
Node.js app deployed into AWS with SSL Termination to imply updates to the Node.js code. Rather than installing HTTPS in the code and maintaining it oneself. It is better to choose Nginx. Because it stops SSL termination and functions as a proxy server to deliver responses to your Node.js application.
Why is SSL Termination needed for the Node.js application?
When information gets exchanged among clients and servers, there is a significant risk of data leakage and cyber attacks. In other words, it happens through an unprotected connection between the website and the Node.js application. It has always been suggested to allow SSL Termination and interact through a secure site to reduce such threats.
Conclusion
Developing a Node.js app and publishing it on an AWS EC2 Instance with a self-managed database is different. The difference in application development, deployment, encryption, stability, and data consistency is significant. It is important to consider a variety of factors. For example, containerizing the Node.js App and terminating SSL.
We have seen so far in this article how AWS plays a significant role to deploy Node.js. In addition, the article demonstrates how to set up and run Node.js on AWS. This is all you need to start developing Node.js applications.