Getting started with Django on Amazon Web Services

Question

I'm starting to migrate a few applications to Amazon Web Services. My applications are Python/Django apps, running over MySQL.

I plan on using EC2 and EBS for starters.

I'm looking for a few things:

A good step-by-step tutorial explaining how to deploy Django on AWS. I've looked around, but most tutorials are from 2 years ago, so I'm worried they're outdated.

I'm trying to understand, with which AMI should I start? I know there's a BitNami AMI that comes preconfigured with Django goodiness, but I've seen a lot of other sources say you should start with a basic (clean) linux box and install everything yourself. Why?

Are there any other important things I should be thinking about? I have very little sysadmining experience (the apps are currently on WebFaction), so I'm not sure what I should be thinking about.

A few extra points:

I plan on running several applications on the same EC2 instance, I assume that's possible?

I'm using virtualenv to separate between the various apps right now, I assume I can continue doing the same on the EC2 instance?

Thanks!

Answer 1

EC2 just provides a virtualized system instance. No matter which instance you choose, you will have to prepare for the deployment by yourself only.

Here's what you will have to do:

1. Set up your instance (general configuration including OS of your choice, installing required software for your application) and prepare for your app deployment. Refer to the official documentation for deployment instructions. With official documentation, you won't have to worry about the outdated information as it is always up to date.

2. Start an AMI from your instance 

3. Create and attach an EBS for all your data since instances when rebooted wipe out all the data on the instance store.

4. Do system snapshots on a regular basis to have a recovery plan always ready in case of any failure.