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AWS EC2 instance overview
Nginx and Gunicorn configuration
Live app running on AWS

Deploy to AWS

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Overview

About this plan

What's inside: Step-by-step AWS EC2 provisioning, Ubuntu server hardening, and professional Nginx configuration.

Provision an EC2 instance, install the Python/Nginx stack via browser-SSH, and automate your app to run 24/7 as a Linux service.

Outcome

The Goal

Break the Localhost Barrier: Your app currently only exists when your laptop is open. We move it to an AWS data center where it runs 24/7, accessible to anyone in the world with a link.

Learn Industry-Standard DevOps: We don’t use "magic" deployment buttons. You will configure a real Ubuntu server using Nginx and Gunicorn - the same stack used by Instagram and Pinterest.

Build Professional Credibility: A live AWS link on a resume proves you can handle production infrastructure. It separates "students who code" from "engineers who ship."

Audience

Who This Is For

You Need a Working Link for Your ResumeRecruiters don't want to hear about your code; they want to click it. This gives you a live link that proves you understand the full lifecycle of software development.
You're Tired of 'Works on My Machine'Move your app to a clean, standardized server environment where "environment variables" and "production paths" are handled correctly.
You Want to Learn Real InfrastructureSkip the "Black Box" deployment platforms. Learn the Linux commands and server configurations that are required for high-paying DevOps and Backend roles.
You're Launching an MVP to Real UsersReal users need 24/7 access. AWS EC2 provides the reliability and scaling potential you need to go from 1 user to 1,000.

Applications

Best Use Cases

Final Year Portfolio Projects

Stand out from the crowd. Most students never deploy. By putting your app on AWS, you demonstrate a level of technical maturity that is highly attractive to hiring managers.

Small Business or Startup MVPs

Get your business idea online with zero overhead. AWS Free Tier allows you to run your MVP for a year for free, giving you time to find product-market fit.

Learning the "Linux Way"

The best way to learn Linux is to have a server to break. We give you a safe, guided path to configuring Ubuntu, but you retain the freedom to explore and learn.

Methodology

Why This Approach

Industry Standard: AWS is the market leader. By learning EC2, you are learning the platform that 90% of the Fortune 500 uses.
Total Control: We teach you to own the infrastructure. If you want to change your database or add a new service tomorrow, you have the root access to do it.
The Zero-Friction Terminal: We use AWS Instance Connect to remove the "I can't SSH in" bugs that stop most beginners. You get a full terminal right in your Chrome or Safari window.
Scalability Built-In: This isn't a dead-end. Your EC2 instance is the first step toward Load Balancers, S3 buckets, and RDS databases. You are building on a foundation that can scale to millions.

Next Steps

What's next?

Your app is live at an IP address. Next, move to Stage 11: Your Custom Domain to trade that numbers-based link for a professional brand (e.g., yourapp.com).

Quick Info

Cost1 credit

We use Ubuntu on AWS EC2. These Linux skills are 100% transferable to DigitalOcean, Google Cloud, or Azure.

Process

How it works

1

Step 1: AWS Free Tier Provisioning. Create your account and launch an EC2 instance. We show you exactly which settings to click to stay within the 12-month Free Tier ($0 cost).

2

Step 2: Browser-Based Command Center. No SSH keys or terminal headaches. Connect directly through the AWS browser-based terminal to get root access to your new server.

3

Step 3: The Production Stack. Run our "One-Click" verified commands to install Python, MySQL, and Nginx. We turn a blank Linux box into a powerful web server in minutes.

4

Step 4: The Gunicorn + Nginx Handshake. Configure your app to run as a background service. If your server reboots, your app auto-restarts. It’s "Set it and Forget it" infrastructure.

AWSAWSGitHubGitHubUbuntuUbuntu

Deliverables

What you'll get

You walk away with a live production deployment running on the world’s most powerful cloud provider. Your app is no longer a "project" - it is a service. It runs 24/7 on AWS infrastructure. You’ve successfully navigated the transition from development to production, setting up the exact environment used by professional DevOps engineers. This includes Nginx for traffic handling, Gunicorn for process management, and Linux services for 100% uptime automation.

A Live Global IP Address: A public URL (e.g., http://54.123.45.67) that you can send to recruiters, investors, or friends immediately.
Dedicated Ubuntu Server: You own the "metal." This isn’t a shared platform; it’s your own virtual private server (VPS) with full root access.
Production-Grade Process Management: Your app is managed by `systemd`. If it crashes, it revives itself. If AWS does maintenance, it restarts itself.
Nginx Reverse Proxy Setup: A professional layer that handles incoming web traffic and shields your Flask app from the open internet.
Deployment Documentation: A custom "Runbook" for your server, so you know exactly how to update your code in the future with a simple `git pull`.

Prerequisites

Before you begin

Cost

$0.00 (Uses AWS Free Tier)

Time

30–45 minutes

Requirement

A working Flask app on GitHub and a valid ID/Card for AWS verification.

AWS requires a credit card for identity verification, but we will stay within the Free Tier so you are not charged.

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