Node.js Application Deployment Using EC2 and Nginx on AWS

This project demonstrates deploying a Node.js web application hosted on a cloud-based AWS EC2 instance, with Nginx acting as a reverse proxy, ensuring high performance and security. The primary goal is to build, deploy, and serve a Node.js server on EC2, making it accessible via a domain or public IP.

Project Objectives

• Launch an EC2 Instance and configure security.
• Install Node.js and dependencies.
• Deploy the Node.js application.
• Configure Nginx as a reverse proxy for the Node.js server.

Tech Stack

Node.js (Backend runtime)

• Express.js (Web framework)
• PM2 (Background process manager)
• Nginx (Reverse proxy)
• Amazon Linux / CentOS

Live Preview

Once deployed, you can access the app via:

• http://<your-server-ip>:3000 → Node app directly
• http://<your-server-ip>/ → Nginx reverse-proxy

1 : Setup Instructions

step 1 : Launch an AWS EC2 Instance

• In the AWS Management Console, in the search bar at the top, enter EC2 and select EC2 under services.
• In the left menu, click on Launch Instances.
• Choose:
• • AMI: Amazon Linux 2 (recommended)

• • Instance type: t2.micro (free tier eligible)
• • Key pair: Create new or use existing
• • Security Group: Allow HTTP (port 80) , SSH (port 22) and allow custom TCP (port 3000) for Node app

• Click Launch to create the instance.

step 2 : Install Node.js and npm

bash

• sudo yum install nodejs -y
• sudo yum install npm -y

step 3 : Set Up the Project

bash

• mkdir nodeapp
• cd nodeapp

2 : Create package.json file

bash

• Vim package.json

Create app.js file

bash

• app.js

3 : Install Dependencies

bash

• npm install

4 : Start the App

bash

• systemctl npm start

• Open browser: http://:3000

5 : Run App in Background with PM2

bash

• sudo npm install -g pm2
• pm2 start app.js

6 : Install and Start Nginx

bash

• sudo yum install nginx -y
• sudo systemctl start nginx
• sudo systemctl enable nginx
• sudo systemctl status nginx

7 : Configure Nginx Reverse Proxy

bash

• sudo vim /etc/nginx/nginx.conf
• add the server block inside nginx.con
• nginx.conf

8 : Restart Nginx

bash

• sudo systemctl restart nginx

9 : Test the App

bash

• Final Output
• Visit: http:// your-ec2-ip

You should see:

Hello this is nodejs application running on Docker Container!

Summary

This guide shows how to deploy a Node.js app on AWS EC2, install necessary tools, run the app with PM2, and set up Nginx as a reverse proxy for secure, accessible web hosting.