Deploying a Sample Application with AWS Well-Architected Framework Best Practices
As cloud adoption accelerates, building applications that align with the AWS Well-Architected Framework becomes crucial for ensuring scalability, security, cost-efficiency, and operational excellence. In this blog, we’ll explore how to deploy a sample serverless application, the Blue Car Application, while adhering to the best practices outlined in the Well-Architected Framework. This deployment leverages Dashbird, a tool for monitoring and enforcing serverless best practices.
Why Follow the AWS Well-Architected Framework?
The AWS Well-Architected Framework helps architects and developers design cloud-native applications that are:
- Operationally efficient
- Secure
- Reliable
- Cost-effective
- Environmentally sustainable
This guide demonstrates deploying the Blue Car Application, a sample serverless solution, while automating these principles using Dashbird.
Prerequisites
Before starting, ensure you have the following:
- An AWS account with IAM administrative access.
- AWS CLI installed and configured.
- Basic knowledge of Lambda, API Gateway, and DynamoDB.
- Dashbird account for monitoring (optional but recommended).
Step 1: Clone the Blue Car Application Repository
Begin by cloning the sample application from the official GitHub repository:
git clone https://github.com/dashbird/aws-well-architected-blue-car.git
cd aws-well-architected-blue-car
This repository contains all the necessary infrastructure as code (IaC) templates and application code.
Step 2: Deploy Using AWS SAM (Serverless Application Model)
The application is designed to leverage AWS SAM for streamlined deployment:
- Build the Application: Run the following command to prepare the application for deployment:
sam build
- Deploy the Application: Deploy the application to AWS:
sam deploy --guided
During deployment, you’ll be prompted for parameters such as stack name, region, and resource configurations. Accept the defaults or customize as per your requirements.
-
Post-Deployment Outputs:
After deployment, SAM will provide the following key outputs:
- API Gateway URL: Endpoint to access your application.
- DynamoDB Table Name: The table where application data will be stored.
Step 3: Understand the Architecture
The deployed Blue Car Application consists of:
- API Gateway: Manages HTTP requests and routes them to Lambda functions.
- AWS Lambda: Processes business logic and interacts with other AWS services.
- DynamoDB: A serverless database for storing application data.
This architecture embodies Well-Architected principles by emphasizing scalability, fault tolerance, and managed services.
Step 4: Integrate Dashbird for Observability
Dashbird enhances monitoring and compliance with the Well-Architected Framework by providing insights into serverless workloads:
Sign Up for Dashbird:
Create an account at Dashbird.Connect Your AWS Account:
Follow the instructions to securely integrate Dashbird with your AWS account.-
Monitor the Application:
- Use Dashbird to view execution metrics, detect potential issues, and receive best practice recommendations.
- Dashbird automatically maps your workloads to the Well-Architected pillars, providing actionable insights.
Step 5: Validate Best Practices
After deployment, verify that your application aligns with the AWS Well-Architected Framework:
-
Operational Excellence:
- Use AWS CloudWatch Logs for monitoring and debugging.
- Ensure deployment pipelines are automated.
-
Security:
- IAM roles for Lambda should follow the principle of least privilege.
- API Gateway should enable HTTPS and authentication mechanisms.
-
Reliability:
- Verify DynamoDB uses on-demand scaling for consistent availability.
- Ensure retries and error-handling logic in Lambda functions.
-
Performance Efficiency:
- Use appropriate memory and timeout configurations for Lambda functions.
- Optimize API Gateway endpoints for latency and caching.
-
Cost Optimization:
- Leverage DynamoDB's on-demand pricing model.
- Monitor usage with AWS Cost Explorer and Dashbird.
Step 6: Test the Application
- Use the provided API Gateway URL to interact with the application:
curl -X GET <API_Gateway_URL>/bluecars
- Validate the application's behavior for all endpoints.
Step 7: Iterate and Improve
The Well-Architected Framework emphasizes continuous improvement. Regularly review the application using the AWS Well-Architected Tool and integrate suggestions to maintain alignment with best practices.
Conclusion
By following the steps above, you’ve successfully deployed a serverless application aligned with the AWS Well-Architected Framework. Integrating tools like Dashbird ensures ongoing compliance with best practices, enabling you to build robust, scalable, and cost-effective cloud solutions.
Start deploying with confidence and harness the power of AWS Well-Architected Framework to transform your cloud journey!
Top comments (0)