Deploying a Flask Web App on AWS EC2 Instance
How to Deploy a Flask Web App on AWS EC2 Instance
Deploying a Flask web app on an AWS EC2 instance allows you to host and run your application in the cloud. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Step 1: Launch an EC2 Instance
First, log in to the AWS Management Console and navigate to the EC2 service. Launch a new EC2 instance and select an appropriate Amazon Machine Image (AMI) for your Flask application. Consider factors such as the operating system, Python version, and instance type based on your application's requirements.
Step 2: Configure Security Groups
Configure security groups for your EC2 instance to allow incoming traffic on the desired ports (e.g., port 80 for HTTP). Ensure that your security group settings align with your application's requirements. You may also want to set up security rules to limit access to specific IP addresses or ranges.
Step 3: Connect to the EC2 Instance
Connect to your EC2 instance using SSH. You can use an SSH client like PuTTY (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux). Retrieve the public IP address or DNS name of your EC2 instance from the AWS Management Console, and use that information to establish the SSH connection.
Step 4: Update System Packages
Update the system packages on your EC2 instance by running the following commands:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
Step 5: Install Required Dependencies
Install the necessary dependencies to run your Flask application. This typically includes Python and pip. Use the following commands:
sudo apt-get install python3
sudo apt-get install python3-pip
Step 6: Clone Your Flask App Repository
Clone your Flask web app repository onto the EC2 instance using Git. Make sure you have Git installed on the instance. Use the following command:
git clone
Step 7: Install Python Packages
Navigate to your Flask app directory and install the required Python packages using the project's requirements.txt
file. Run the following command:
pip3 install -r requirements.txt
Step 8: Run the Flask App
Start your Flask application by running the following command:
python3 app.py
Make sure your Flask app runs successfully and listens on the desired port (usually port 5000) without any errors.
Step 9: Configure Nginx as a Reverse Proxy
Install and configure Nginx as a reverse proxy to handle incoming HTTP requests and forward them to your Flask app. Create an Nginx server block configuration file with the necessary settings. The configuration typically includes specifying the server name, listening port, and proxy_pass directive to forward requests to your Flask app running on localhost.
Step 10: Start Nginx
Start Nginx to enable the reverse proxy configuration. Use the following command:
sudo service nginx start
Verify that Nginx is running without any errors. You can also check the Nginx access and error logs for troubleshooting purposes.
Step 11: Test Your Web App
Access your Flask web app by entering the public IP address or domain name of your EC2 instance in a web browser. Ensure that everything is working as expected. You should see your Flask app rendered in the browser and be able to interact with it.
Step 12: Set Up a Domain Name (Optional)
If you want to use a custom domain name for your Flask app, you'll need to configure it with a DNS provider. Set up a DNS record to point your domain to the public IP address of your EC2 instance. This allows users to access your app using a user-friendly domain name.
Step 13: Secure Your Web App (Optional)
Implement SSL/TLS encryption to secure your Flask app. Obtain an SSL certificate from a trusted certificate authority (CA) and configure Nginx to enable HTTPS connections. This ensures that communications between the users and your app are encrypted and secure.
Step 14: Monitor and Scale Your App (Optional)
Implement monitoring and scaling solutions to ensure the availability and performance of your Flask app. Utilize AWS services like CloudWatch and Auto Scaling to monitor resource utilization, handle increased traffic, and optimize resource allocation. Monitor key metrics and set up alarms to proactively address any issues that may arise.
That's it! You have successfully deployed your Flask web app on an AWS EC2 instance. Remember to regularly update your application, monitor its performance, and apply security best practices. By following these steps, you can create a robust and scalable deployment environment for your Flask app in the cloud.
Happy deploying!
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