AWS Windows Server

Launching a .NET Web Application with SQL Server on AWS Windows Server

Overview:

• Add roles
• Configure roles
• Check on internet access
• Install IIS
• Install .NET 3.5-4.6.2
• Install .NET http extension modules
• Check on MSSQL
• Add server > security > login user
• Configure IIS (with DNN) > use inetpub dir
• Configure IIS to connect to dir as win user
• Configure permissions for wwwroot folder

AWS for .NET Deployments

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has emerged as a leading platform for deploying web applications, offering scalability, reliability, and a plethora of managed services. This guide serves as a comprehensive roadmap for establishing a production-ready environment on AWS Windows Server, specifically tailored for hosting .NET web applications with SQL Server databases.

Prerequisites:

• An active AWS account equipped with the necessary permissions to create and manage resources.
• A basic foundation in Windows Server administration and .NET development practices.

1. Provisioning a Windows Server Instance:

• Navigate to the Amazon EC2 service within the AWS Management Console.
• Select the desired Windows Server image (e.g., Windows Server 2019 Base) that aligns with your application’s requirements.
• Choose an appropriate instance type based on factors like CPU, memory, and storage, considering your application’s anticipated workload.
• Configure security groups to control inbound traffic. Open ports relevant to your application’s functionality, such as port 80 for HTTP traffic and port 3389 for remote desktop access.
• Launch the instance and record its public IP address for future remote connections.

2. Establishing Remote Connectivity:

• Utilize a remote desktop client to establish a secure connection to the Windows Server instance. Employ the public IP address you noted earlier and the administrator credentials for authentication.

3. Server Configuration and Optimization:

• Role Management:

  • Leverage Server Manager to install essential server roles that underpin your application’s functionality. Common roles include Web Server (IIS) for application hosting and SQL Server for database management.
  • Configure these roles to align with your application’s specific needs. This might involve setting up user accounts and defining database access permissions.

• Verifying Internet Connectivity:

  • Open a web browser on the server itself and navigate to a well-known website. This confirms successful internet connectivity, ensuring your application can access external resources if required.

4. Software Installation and Configuration:

• Installing the .NET Framework:

  • Utilize the Web Platform Installer (WebPI) or download the required .NET Framework versions (.NET 3.5-4.6.2, for example) directly from Microsoft. Install them on the server.

• .NET HTTP Extension Modules:

  • Depending on your application’s development framework (e.g., ASP.NET MVC, Web API), install the necessary .NET HTTP Extension modules using WebPI or manual download.

• SQL Server Installation and Configuration:

  • Follow the SQL Server installation wizard to establish a new database instance on the server.
  • Create the necessary databases and configure security by adding login users with granular permissions tailored to their access requirements.

5. Configuring IIS for Application Deployment:

• IIS Configuration for DNN:

  • Assuming you’re deploying DNN (DotNetNuke), utilize the IIS Manager to create a website binding your application to the desired domain name or IP address.
  • Configure application pools and virtual directories within IIS to point to the DNN installation directory (typically located under inetpub).

• Permission Management:

  • Ensure that the IIS worker process identity possesses read/write permissions to the application’s root directory (usually wwwroot) and any subdirectories containing application files. This is essential for proper application operation.

6. Testing and Deployment Considerations:

• Thorough Testing:

  • Access your application through a web browser using the configured domain name or IP address.
  • Conduct comprehensive testing to verify that all functionalities operate as expected under various conditions.

• Security Measures:

  • Implement robust security measures in production environments. This includes firewalls, user access restrictions, and the application of regular security updates to safeguard your server and application from potential vulnerabilities.

• Scalability and High Availability:

  • As your application evolves and experiences increased traffic, explore AWS’s scaling options, such as auto-scaling groups, to dynamically adjust resources based on demand.
  • Consider implementing high availability solutions for critical applications. This might involve setting up redundant instances for failover scenarios, ensuring minimal downtime in case of server outages.