Deploy Node.js on EC2: Docker and Nginx Configuration Explained

Deploy Nodejs on EC2 with Docker and Nginx configuration. This guide covers Docker setup, configuring Nginx, and secure your Node.js app with SSL.

Prerequisites

Before you get started, make sure you have the following ready:

1. An AWS EC2 instance running Ubuntu.
2. Your Node.js application hosted on GitHub.

Table of Contents

1. Node.js Application Structure
2. Setting Up Docker in Your Node.js Application
3. Connecting to Your EC2 Instance
4. Updating and Installing Dependencies
5. Installing Docker and Docker Compose
6. Cloning Your GitHub Repository
7. Building and Running Your Docker Containers
8. Setting Up Nginx as a Reverse Proxy
9. Additional Configuration
10. Securing Your Backend with SSL

Step 1: Node.js Application Structure

First, ensure your Node.js project has this structure:

project-root/
├── controller
├── middleware
├── models
├── routes
├── docker-compose.yml
├── Dockerfile
├── .env
├── package.json
├── README.md
└── server.js

Step 2: Setting Up Docker in Your Node.js Application

Create a Dockerfile in your project root:

FROM node:16-alpine

WORKDIR /app

COPY package.json .

RUN npm install

COPY . .

EXPOSE 3000

CMD ["node", "server.js"]

Create a docker-compose.yml file in your project root:

version: "3.9"
services:
  backend:
    build: .
    ports:
      - "3000:3000"
    env_file:
      - .env

Set up a .env file with your MongoDB URL and other variables:

PORT=3000
MONGO_URI=<YOUR_MONGODB_URL>

Step 3: Connecting to Your EC2 Instance

Connect to your EC2 instance via SSH:

ssh -i /path/to/your-key.pem ubuntu@your-ec2-instance-ip

Step 4: Updating and Installing Dependencies

Update and install necessary dependencies:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y git

Step 5: Installing Docker and Docker Compose

Install Docker:

sudo apt-get install -y docker.io
sudo systemctl start docker
sudo systemctl enable docker

Install Docker Compose:

sudo curl -L "https://github.com/docker/compose/releases/download/$(curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/docker/compose/releases/latest | grep -oP '"tag_name": "\K(.*)(?=")')/docker-compose-$(uname -s)-$(uname -m)" -o /usr/local/bin/docker-compose
sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/docker-compose
docker-compose --version

Step 6: Cloning Your GitHub Repository

Clone your GitHub repository and navigate to your project:

git clone https://github.com/your-gitub-username/your-private-repo.git
cd your-private-repo

Step 7: Building and Running Your Docker Containers

Ensure your Dockerfile and docker-compose.yml are set up correctly. Build and run your Docker containers:

sudo docker-compose up --build -d

Step 8: Verifying the Deployment

Check the status of your Docker containers:

sudo docker ps

Your Node.js application should be running. Access it via your EC2 instance’s IP address or domain.

Step 9: Setting Up Nginx as a Reverse Proxy

Install Nginx:

sudo apt-get install -y nginx

Remove the default Nginx configuration:

sudo rm /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/default

Create or update your Nginx configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/<your-app>

Add this configuration:

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name <YOUR_DOMAIN_NAME>;

    location / {
        proxy_pass http://localhost:3000;
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
    }
}

Enable the new configuration:

sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/<your-app> /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/

Test the Nginx configuration:

sudo nginx -t

If successful, restart Nginx:

sudo systemctl restart nginx

Step 10: Additional Configuration

1. Check Docker Container: Ensure your Docker container is running and listening on port 3000:

sudo docker ps

2. Firewall/Security Group: Ensure your EC2 instance’s security group allows HTTP traffic on port 80:

sudo ufw allow 'Nginx Full'

3. DNS Settings: Confirm your domain points correctly to your EC2 instance’s IP address.

Configure security group rules for ports 80 and 3000.

Check your setup by visiting http://<your-domain> in your browser; it should forward to your Node.js backend.

Step 11: Securing Your Backend with SSL

Install Certbot

sudo snap install --classic certbot

Allow Permission

sudo ufw allow 443

Obtain Your SSL Certificate

sudo certbot certonly --standalone -d your_domain

Automatically Renew Your SSL Certificate

sudo certbot renew --dry-run

Don’t forgot to Configure security group rules for ports 443.

By following these steps, your Node.js application will be up and running on AWS EC2 using Docker. If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out!

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