Deploying a Python Django Project on AWS: Step-by-Step Guide with Commands

Introduction:

Deploying a Python Django project on Amazon Web Services (AWS) can be an exciting experience that brings your web application to a global audience. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the process of deploying a Django project on AWS using detailed commands. By leveraging AWS services like Amazon EC2, Amazon RDS, and Amazon S3, you can create a scalable and reliable environment for your Django application. Let’s dive into the step-by-step deployment process!

Step 1: Prepare Your Django Project

Ensure your Django project is fully functional and tested locally. Create a requirements.txt file containing all the necessary Python packages used in your project.

Step 2: Set Up an AWS Account

Sign up for an AWS account at aws.amazon.com and access the AWS Management Console to begin the deployment process.

Step 3: Launch an Amazon EC2 Instance

Launch an EC2 instance using the AWS Management Console or run the following command in your terminal:

aws ec2 run-instances --image-id ami-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx --instance-type t2.micro --key-name your-key-pair-name --security-group-ids your-security-group-id --subnet-id your-subnet-id

Step 4: Connect to Your EC2 Instance

Using SSH, connect to your EC2 instance:

ssh -i /path/to/your-key.pem ec2-user@your-ec2-public-ip

Step 5: Install Required Dependencies

Install Python, pip, and virtualenv on your EC2 instance:

sudo yum update -y
sudo yum install python3 python3-pip -y
pip3 install virtualenv

Step 6: Set Up a Virtual Environment

Create a virtual environment for your Django project:

mkdir my-django-project
cd my-django-project
virtualenv venv
source venv/bin/activate

Step 7: Upload Your Django Project Files

Upload your Django project files to the EC2 instance using SCP or any preferred method.

Step 8: Install Required Packages

Install the required Python packages specified in the requirements.txt file:

pip3 install -r requirements.txt

Step 9: Configure Your Database

Set up an Amazon RDS instance to host your Django project’s database. Create a database and update settings.py to connect to the RDS instance.

Step 10: Set Up Amazon S3

Create an Amazon S3 bucket to store media files (e.g., images, videos). Update settings.py to use the S3 bucket for media storage.

Step 11: Run Migrations and Collect Static Files

Run Django migrations to set up the database and collect static files:

python3 manage.py makemigrations
python3 manage.py migrate
python3 manage.py collectstatic

Step 12: Install and Configure a Web Server

Install and configure Nginx as a reverse proxy server:

sudo amazon-linux-extras install nginx1.12 -y
sudo systemctl start nginx
sudo systemctl enable nginx

Step 13: Deploy Your Django Project

Run your Django application using Gunicorn:

pip3 install gunicorn
gunicorn myproject.wsgi:application

Step 14: Secure Your Deployment

Enable HTTPS by obtaining and configuring an SSL certificate using ACM or a third-party provider.

Step 15: Associate a Custom Domain Name (Optional)

Associate a custom domain name with your Django project using Route 53 or a domain registrar’s settings.

Conclusion:

Congratulations! You’ve successfully deployed your Python Django project on AWS using detailed commands. By following this step-by-step guide, you’ve created a scalable and secure environment for your application. AWS services like EC2, RDS, and S3 have enabled you to bring your web application to a global audience. As your project grows, consider exploring additional AWS services to enhance performance and scalability. Happy coding and enjoy the benefits of running your Django project on AWS!