AWS EC2 Linux Web Server Deployment and WordPress Hosting
This project involves deploying and managing a secure WordPress website on an AWS EC2 Linux server. The application uses Nginx as a reverse proxy, Apache as the web server, PHP, and MySQL for the WordPress environment. Security is implemented using AWS Security Groups, UFW firewall, HTTPS/SSL, and restricted SSH access. The project also includes Bash automation for server health checks and database backups, with backups stored in Amazon S3. Amazon CloudWatch is used for server monitoring.
Linux Server
Ubuntu Linux is used as the operating system of the EC2 instance.
Linux is widely used for cloud servers because it is:
- Open source
- Stable
- Lightweight
- Secure
- Highly configurable
- Well supported by cloud platforms
The server is managed through SSH.The AWS EC2 Linux Web Server Deployment and WordPress Hosting project demonstrates the deployment, configuration, security, monitoring, and maintenance of a WordPress website on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud platform.
The project uses an Amazon EC2 Linux server as the main compute environment. WordPress is installed and configured using Apache, PHP, and MySQL, while Nginx is configured as a reverse proxy to handle incoming web traffic.
To improve security and reliability, the project uses AWS Security Groups, UFW firewall, restricted SSH access, HTTPS/SSL certificates, and an Elastic IP. Database backups are automated using Bash scripts and Cron and stored in Amazon S3. Amazon CloudWatch is used to monitor the server and identify potential performance problems.
2. Project Objectives
The main objectives of the project are:
- Deploy a Linux-based web server on AWS EC2.
- Install and configure WordPress.
- Configure Apache as the application web server.
- Configure Nginx as a reverse proxy.
- Configure PHP and MySQL for WordPress.
- Secure the server using AWS Security Groups and UFW.
- Enable HTTPS using an SSL certificate.
- Assign an Elastic IP to the EC2 instance.
- Automate MySQL database backups.
- Store backups securely in Amazon S3.
- Monitor the server using Amazon CloudWatch.
- Create Bash scripts for server administration.
- Use GitHub for project documentation and version control.
- Use GitHub Actions for automated Bash-script validation.
3. Technologies Used
| Technology | Purpose |
|---|---|
| AWS EC2 | Hosts the Linux server |
| Ubuntu Linux | Server operating system |
| Nginx | Reverse proxy and HTTPS entry point |
| Apache | Web server |
| PHP | Runs WordPress |
| MySQL | Stores WordPress data |
| WordPress | Website/CMS |
| AWS Security Group | Controls network access |
| UFW | Linux firewall |
| Elastic IP | Provides a static public IP |
| Let's Encrypt / Certbot | Provides SSL certificate |
| Amazon S3 | Stores database backups |
| Amazon CloudWatch | Server monitoring |
| Bash | Server automation |
| Cron | Schedules automated tasks |
| Git | Version control |
| GitHub | Source code and documentation |
| GitHub Actions | Automated code checking |
4. Overall Architecture
The architecture of the project can be represented as:INTERNET
│
▼
DNS / Domain
│
▼
Elastic IP Address
│
▼
AWS EC2
Ubuntu Linux
Security Group
+
UFW
Nginx :80 / :443
│
▼
Apache :8080
│
▼
PHP
│
▼
WordPress
│
▼
MySQL
│
Automated Backup
│
▼
DNS / Domain
│
▼
Elastic IP Address
│
▼
AWS EC2
Ubuntu Linux
Security Group
+
UFW
Nginx :80 / :443
│
▼
Apache :8080
│
▼
PHP
│
▼
WordPress
│
▼
MySQL
│
Automated Backup
Linux Server
Ubuntu Linux is used as the operating system of the EC2 instance.
Linux is widely used for cloud servers because it is:
- Open source
- Stable
- Lightweight
- Secure
- Highly configurable
- Well supported by cloud platforms
The server is managed through SSH.
AWS Security Group
An AWS Security Group acts as a virtual firewall around the EC2 instance.
The project uses rules similar to:
| Protocol | Port | Source | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSH | 22 | Your IP | Server administration |
| HTTP | 80 | Internet | Web traffic |
| HTTPS | 443 | Internet | Secure web traffic |
SSH should not unnecessarily be exposed to the entire internet.
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