Linux in the Cloud

There is a plethora of options to choose from when running Linux in the cloud. You can choose one of the large cloud service providers (AWS, Azure, GCE), a VPS (Virtual Private Server), bare metal, co-location, PaaS (Platform as a Service), etc. There are also different options for deploying your Django apps, based on your budget, scaling needs, Linux experience, and other factors.

In this chapter, we will explore a few of those options so we can choose the best provider for your needs. Note that there are certain offerings with free tiers which we will not be covering, as the author does not consider those viable for use in production by professionals, but feel free to investigate them for personal and portfolio sites.

VPS

One of the simplest and cheapest options to run Linux in the cloud is a VPS, a Virtual Private Server.

A few of the advantages of a VPS are:

• Lower cost for entry-level.
• Well-documented after years on the market.
• Many operating systems to choose from.
• You can install the software you need.
• You can use Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools to have repeatable configurations.

Some of the disadvantages include:

• It is unmanaged, so you need to manage it yourself (but not to worry, this book should make it a breeze).

There are many reputable providers to choose from with different offerings. Here's a few things to consider when choosing a VPS provider:

• Cost.
• Data centre locations.
• Available operating systems.
• Customer support.