Chapter 1: Understanding AWS Elastic Beanstalk

In this section, we will explore what AWS Elastic Beanstalk (EB) is and how it functions. If you're familiar with Heroku, you'll find it easier to grasp the concept of EB.

Heroku is a service that allows users to deploy Node.js or Python projects effortlessly. By simply uploading your code, it handles the deployment automatically. This means you don't have to worry about server setup or intricate configurations.

AWS Elastic Beanstalk operates similarly, but it does require a bit more configuration than Heroku. Let's delve into the details.

AWS Elastic Beanstalk is a cloud deployment service that enables users to easily set up applications on the AWS infrastructure by merely uploading them. The name "Beanstalk" is inspired by the fairy tale "Jack and the Beanstalk," referring to the beanstalk that reaches the clouds.

The service automates essential functions such as auto-scaling, load balancing, and application monitoring. Furthermore, it allows for deployments of applications that are not web-based as well. Like other AWS services, you only incur costs when your application is active and storing data.

For those looking to deploy applications on AWS without the hassle of configuring EC2 instances or load balancers, Elastic Beanstalk is an excellent choice. However, it is crucial to note that EB supports a limited number of platforms, including the following as of September 2021: .NET, PHP, Java, Ruby, Node.js, Python, Docker, and Go.

One of the standout features of AWS Elastic Beanstalk is its scalability. You can create up to 75 applications, with each application supporting up to 1,000 versions. Additionally, all users can run a maximum of 200 environments per application.

AWS EB simplifies server management by automatically scaling instances when CPU usage exceeds 50%, and it removes instances when they are no longer needed. It provides all necessary load balancers, instances, and additional resources, making application management more straightforward.

Moreover, it offers an easy way to manage versions, allowing for quick rollbacks if required. If you have deployed a production application (or even a non-production one), you can monitor its health through EB’s built-in health checks.

For more detailed monitoring, you can integrate with Amazon CloudWatch, which tracks metrics such as CPU usage, inbound/outbound network traffic, and the number of server requests.

In my personal projects, I tend to prefer Heroku due to its simplicity. Elastic Beanstalk requires more than just uploading your application; you also need to configure security groups, load balancers, and other settings, making it less appealing for individual projects. However, if your project is already utilizing AWS, EB can provide superior management and integrity.

In the current landscape, where many companies rely heavily on AWS, adopting AWS Elastic Beanstalk could be significantly beneficial.

Chapter 2: Key Features of AWS Elastic Beanstalk

Section 2.1: Scalability and Management

AWS Elastic Beanstalk excels in scalability. Users can manage multiple applications and versions without losing track of resource allocation.

Subsection 2.1.1: Monitoring Capabilities