Lesson 2: Understanding Three-Tier Architecture in AWS(4/5)
Tags: adhd, aws, devops, techtobe101
Published: 2024-04-29 16:05:26

Welcome back to "Mastering AWS: Building Three-Tier Infrastructure"! In this lesson, we'll delve into the intricacies of three-tier architecture in AWS and how it lays the groundwork for solid application development.

## Unraveling Three-Tier Architecture

Visualize your application as a three-story building, with each floor serving a distinct function:

**Ground Floor: Presentation Tier**

- This serves as the entry point for users, where they engage with your application's interface. It encompasses all elements visible and interactive to users.
- In AWS, think of services like Amazon S3 for hosting your website's files or Amazon CloudFront for rapid global content delivery.
- To construct this tier, utilize tools such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to craft the visual and functional aspects of your website.

**Second Floor: Application Tier**

- Above the presentation tier lies the nerve center of your application, responsible for processing user interactions and executing logic.
- In AWS, you can deploy servers or leverage serverless functions to execute the code powering your application. Amazon EC2 and AWS Lambda serve as the operational hubs for your application's logic.
- Languages like Python, Java, or Node.js are instrumental in crafting the code that drives this tier, handling user requests, database interactions, and background processes.

**Third Floor: Data Tier**

- Descending to the basement, you encounter the repository of all your application's data, ranging from user profiles to product catalogs.
- AWS provides an array of services for data storage, such as Amazon RDS for relational databases or Amazon DynamoDB for scalable NoSQL storage solutions.
- Languages like SQL or NoSQL are employed to interact with databases, facilitating data storage and retrieval operations.

## Project Architecture Overview

Our project employs a suite of tools and methodologies to orchestrate and automate diverse tasks:

- Terraform: This acts as the architectural blueprint for your digital edifice, facilitating the creation and management of AWS resources like servers and databases.
- Ansible: Serving as the custodian of your infrastructure, Ansible handles configuration management and maintenance tasks, ensuring seamless operation.
- Jenkins: Operating as the project overseer, Jenkins manages the entire development pipeline, from code authoring to deployment, ensuring smooth execution.
- Kubernetes: Functioning as the traffic regulator, Kubernetes oversees containerized applications, optimizing resource allocation and performance.

## Project Workflows

We adhere to specific workflows to streamline and automate various project facets:

**Code Analysis:** 
Employing robust tools, we scrutinize our code for errors and security vulnerabilities prior to deployment, fortifying the resilience and integrity of our application.

**Automated Builds:** 
Leveraging Jenkins, code changes trigger automated build and test processes, facilitating early bug detection and ensuring continual reliability.

**Backup and Recovery:** 
Critical data is securely stored in repositories like Amazon S3, enabling swift recovery in the event of contingencies, ensuring business continuity.

**Infrastructure Provisioning:** 
Utilizing Terraform and Ansible, we provision and configure requisite AWS resources, establishing a resilient foundation for our application.

**Monitoring and Logging:**
Employing advanced monitoring tools, we vigilantly monitor application performance and troubleshoot issues in real-time, ensuring optimal functionality.

By comprehending each tier and the tools at our disposal, you'll be equipped to adeptly construct and manage applications within the AWS ecosystem.

Stay tuned for the next article in our series, where we'll dive into the practical aspects of implementing a three-tier infrastructure in AWS. Let's build something great together