Amazon Lightsail

What is Amazon Lightsail?

Amazon Lightsail is a virtual private server (VPS) that offers the most straightforward way for developers, small industries, educational institutions, and other AWS users to get started. Lightsail provides programmers with the computational power, storage, and networking capabilities required to develop and operate cloud-based websites and apps.

Why Amazon Lightsail?

Hundreds of firms provide excellent cloud services, so why choose AWS Lightsail? Consider the following example to see why. Assume a person intends to establish a business and has a fantastic concept but lacks resources, which may result in him not making the profits he expected. He or she may be launching a blogging business but has no idea what resources he or she would require. He begins his blog by saving data in the MySQL database, which requires scalability and configuration. Later, it must be deployed on the web server, which may initially cost the poor blogger a lot.

Amazon Lightsail Users and Services

Furthermore, with AWS Lightsail, typical technical chores such as setup, installation, and scalability may be serviced immediately. There is no need for auto-scaling since the platform accomplishes it immediately.

If we select the Create Instance option on the subsequent instance managed by AWS Lightsail, the subsequent things occur :

1. Begin by launching the Virtual Machine(VM).
2. Plug in the Solid State Drive (SSD).
3. Identity and Access Management (IAM) management is complete.
4. Several Security Groups are established.
5. The Domain Name Server (DNS) is configured.
6. A static IP address is assigned.

Some of the key customers of AWS Lightsail are :

• Gourmeat :
  Gourmeat made inventory control and reporting generation easier.
• Bugout.dev :
  Lightsail is used to operate testing and development setups.
• Diversa Tecnologia :
  It reduced the cost of its online educational products.
• AcCentric :
  It uses Amazon Lightsail to develop rapidly and affordably.

Features of Amazon Lightsail

Amazon Lightsail provides basic cloud resources to get your web application or website up and running in minutes. Lightsail features may be utilized to host static material, connect your content to a worldwide audience, and configure your Windows Business server.

The configuration procedure is often driven by the Lightsail console, which typically arrives with already configured components.

• Instances :
  Lightsail provides simple-to-install servers (instance) that are backed by Amazon Web Services' reliability and sturdiness. With the AWS Lightsail interfaces, users start your webpage, web platform, or business effortlessly. AWS Lightsail enables users to run a simple OS, a post service, or a dev platform as they create the instance. Each Lightsail instance has firewalls that let you govern access to all instances according to the IP addresses, destination ports, and protocols.

• Containers :
  Lightsail provides a simple alternative for running containers inside the AWS cloud. Users may now run containerized applications from the internet using the assistance of AWS Lightsail Container. Clients may use AWS Lightsail Containers to directly deploy Docker containers in the cloud through existing development workflows. AWS  Lightsail creates containers using Docker images supplied by programmers.

• Load balancers simplified :
  The simple load balancing provided by Lightsail dispersed web traffic among your instances, allowing your websites and apps to adapt to traffic variations, minimize outages, and give a constant visitor experience. Additionally, Lightsail load balancers provide integrated certificate management and free SSL/TLS certificates you can give and install to a load balancer with a few clicks. Certificates may be ordered and maintained using the Lightsail interface, and renewals are handled automatically.

• Database Administration :
  Lightsail provides a fully configured MySQL or PostgreSQL database plan that includes memory, processing, storage, and transport allocations. With Lightsail-managed databases, you can simply extend your databases independently of your virtual servers, increase application availability, or host standalone databases in the cloud. Lightsail also allows you to create multi-tiered applications by deploying many instances connected to a centralized database and a load balancer that sends traffic to the instances.

• AWS service access :
  Amazon Lightsail leverages a focused set of features, including instances, managed databases, and load balancers, to ease the process. However, you are not limited to those options; you may use Amazon VPC peering to connect your Lightsail project to any of AWS's 90+ other services.

• Object and Block Storage :
  AWS Lightsail provides both object and blocks storage. With easily available Solid-State drive-based storage for the server, one can increase the memory easily and quickly. You may simply upload static data on the clouds with  AWS Lightsail Object Storage.

• Content Delivery Network(CDN) :
  CDN distributions are possible using AWS Lightsail, which is based on the identical architecture as AWS CloudFront. This enables users to effortlessly spread the information to worldwide clients by putting up proxies all over the globe, allowing visitors all over the globe to view your webpage from a location that is physically close to them, decreasing delay.

• Virtual Lightsail servers :
  Lightsail provides virtual servers which are simple to set up and are supported by AWS's resources and stability. Users can start the site, web apps, or application in mins and administer it using the Lightsail interface.

  Users can start the site, web apps, or application in mins and administer it using the Lightsail interface.

  Lightsail allows you to run a simple OS, a pre-configured app, or a developer platform while launching the instances. Each Lightsail instance has a firewall that allows users to accept or limit access to the instance depending on the originating IP, ports, and protocols. When the instance is fully operational, you may create customized alerts and be alerted by text message or email if anything outside the norm occurs.

• Update to Amazon EC2 :
  As the cloud initiatives grow, users can quickly transition to EC2 using a simple, supervised process. With just this capability, Lightsail provides you with the confidence of mind that when your application or website grows, we will assist it in expanding in a manner that meets your requirements. To upgrade, just take a snapshot of the instances and follow the instructions in the AWS Lightsail dashboard to transfer your snapshot to AWS EC2. You also may utilize the Upgrading to AWS EC2 wizard to start the new AWS EC2 instance.

Amazon Lightsail Use Cases

• Launch simple web applications :
  To go online fast and simply, use pre-configured application platforms like Nginx, LAMP, Node.js, and MEAN.
• Create custom websites :
  With pre-configured software like Magento, WordPress, and Prestashop, you can quickly and easily create and customize any weblog, e-commerce webpage, or personal blog.
• Build small business applications :
  Launch business-specific applications, including backup, accounting, and financial applications, document sharing and storing, and more.
• Spin up test environments :
  You can quickly establish and remove the testing environment and develop sandboxes so you may experiment without danger.
• Business Software :
  AWS Lightsail can run commercial and open-source software, such as MySQL. Furthermore, Lightsail allows customers to swiftly develop line-of-business software that conducts backups, storage and sharing, accounting, and financial duties.

Amazon Lightsail Pricing

When you use Amazon Lightsail, you pay a fair and consistent price. Lightsail integrates resources like RAM, vCPU, and SSD storage into a specific plan, keeping planning simple and clear.

AWS Lightsail FREE TIER :

Users can now get started using Amazon Lightsail for free as a component of the Amazon Free Tier. Sign up for a year's worth of free 50 GB CDN distribution, a year's worth of free 5 GB object storage bundles, and 12 weeks of free pick containers, instances, and databases bundles. The Free Tier offerings are limited to one account per enterprise if you are affiliated with an enterprise.

Lightsail is expanding its free tier to also cover three free months on some bundles for a short period. The promotion is valid for new or current AWS customers that began using Lightsail or after 07-08-2021. The offer is only valid for one bundle per account. Monthly, standard charges will apply after the initial 750 hours of use of the specified package.

Take advantage of the following deals to save more on Amazon Lightsail :

• Linux/Unix bundles cost $3.50, $5, and $10 monthly for the first three months.
• Free trial periods of three months are available on Windows packages priced at $8, $12, and $20 per month.
• Three months are free on the $15/month Database package.
• Free for three months on the monthly $10 US container subscription (Micro - 1 node)
• One year on CDN

The cost of AWS Lightsail varies based on the operating system. Let's look at the prices for Linux/Unix and Windows :

• For WINDOWS :

  Price	Memory	Processor	SSD Disk	Transfer
  $70 USD	8 GB	2 core	160 GB	5 TB
  $120 USD	16 GB	4 core	320 GB	6 TB
  $240 USD	32 GB	8 core	640 GB	7 TB
  $20 USD	2 GB	1 core	60 GB	3 TB
  $40 USD	4 GB	2 core	80 GB	4 TB
  $8 USD	512 MB	1 core	30 GB	1 TB
  $12 USD	1 GB	1 core	40 GB	2 TB

• For LINUX :

  Price/mo	Memory	Processor	SSD Disk	Transfer
  $160 USD	32 GB	8 core	640 GB	7 TB
  $10 USD	2 GB	1 core	60 GB	3 TB
  $20 USD	4 GB	2 core	80 GB	4 TB
  $3.50 USD	512 MB	1 core	20 GB	1 TB
  $5 USD	1 GB	1 core	40 GB	2 TB
  $40 USD	8 GB	2 core	160 GB	5 TB
  $80 USD	16 GB	4 core	320 GB	6 TB

Getting Started with Amazon Lightsail

• First of all, sign up for your AWS account. If you do not have one, make one and get a start, as shown below.

• Now click on "Get Started With Lightsail for Free", and then you will be taken to the below page.

  

• Now, after clicking on "Create Instances".

• Now, you can select the instance location from the available AWS Regions and Availability Zones by clicking on the link. Then select the platform from the provided platform, such as Linux and Microsoft Windows. You can also add the Powershell launch script, which is optional.

• Select the instance plan based on the monthly price, memory, processing, storage, and transfer options, as shown below. You can also add the key-only tags and key value tags and click on create instance button below.

  

  

• You can see the created instance below and its various functionalities, such as memory, processing, storage, snapshots, tags, networking, etc.

  

• You can simply get the username and password for connection using the RDP from the below dashboard.

• Simply enter the above credentials for connecting your device to the AWS Lightsail instance.

Benefits of Amazon Lightsail

The apparent benefit of utilizing Amazon Lightsail is that you are always in control. You have total control over how things are set up, how your website and applications work, and how much you will be charged at the end of the month. The billing process is as simple as the Lightsail service itself.

The following are the advantages of utilizing AWS Lightsail to set up your apps, websites, or workloads :

• Streamlined User Interface :
  The drastically simplified user interface is the first thing you notice when signing up for AWS Lightsail. Because the aim was to get a server up and running with applications already installed as fast as feasible, it was built from the ground up. There are fewer alternatives, fewer prompts, less ambiguity, and more help.

• Speed :
  Users may set up a VPS in seconds by picking one of Amazon's pre-configured plans. Even if you've never used the cloud before, Amazon Lightsail is straightforward. These plans provide SSD-based storage, enough bandwidth, automated DNS management, and a static IP address, allowing you to get your project up and running quickly.

• Simple to use :
  Lightsail relies on pre-installed software, eliminating the need for beginners to learn difficult ideas and processes. It's more of a plug-and-play approach.

• Scaling :
  AWS Lightsail, despite its simplicity, can grow and scale alongside your applications over time. Other solutions are available when your apps demand sophisticated capabilities like managed databases, a content delivery network, or connectivity to other AWS features and services.

• Affordable :
  Amazon Lightsail service is reasonably priced, one of its distinctive advantages. The most basic plan is $5 per month, with the first month free. There are also upfront expenses for the more comprehensive plans that give enough capacity to run demanding applications and active websites. The most affordable option is ideal for people just getting started, while the powerful package is ideal for small businesses.

• Highly Accessible :
  Users may execute containerized apps in the cloud using the Lightsail Container Service and then access them through the Internet. Lightsail also has an excellent user interface.

• Most Reliable :
  Because lightsail's services are delivered through Amazon's cloud infrastructure and data centers, there is less likelihood of failure or the need for replacements.

• Easily familiar :
  In the digital realm, Amazon is an established and respectable brand. Developers and enterprises may use AWS Lightsail for Web Hosting services and software development.

Amazon Lightsail vs Amazon EC2