Game Development and Deployment Using Docker and AWS Elastic Beanstalk:A Case Study by the Mhtechin Software Development Team

Dockerized Game Application Deployment on AWS Elastic Beanstalk: A Case Study by the Mhtechin Software Development Team

Introduction

In today’s dynamic software landscape, the ability to deploy applications rapidly and consistently is crucial. Containerization, powered by Docker, has revolutionized how developers package and distribute applications. When combined with cloud platforms like AWS Elastic Beanstalk, it allows for seamless deployment and scaling of applications. In this case study, the Mhtechin software development team outlines the process of developing a game application, containerizing it using Docker, and deploying it on AWS Elastic Beanstalk.

Project Overview

The project involved creating a game application, designed to run as a server, and deploying it in a cloud environment using Docker and AWS Elastic Beanstalk. The main objectives were to ensure the application could run consistently across different environments and to leverage AWS Elastic Beanstalk for easy management and scaling.

Step 1: Game Development

The first step in this project was to develop the game application. The team chose to use Node.js, a popular JavaScript runtime, for its scalability and performance. The game server was designed to handle player interactions, manage game logic, and provide real-time updates. The server was configured to listen on a specific port, which would later be exposed in the Docker container.

Step 2: Creating the Dockerfile

With the game developed, the next step was to containerize it using Docker. The team created a Dockerfile, which included:

• Base Image: The team selected node:14 as the base image to ensure compatibility with the game’s codebase.
• Working Directory: The Dockerfile set the working directory inside the container to /app.
• Copy Files: The game’s source code was copied into the container using the COPY command.
• Install Dependencies: The required dependencies were installed using RUN npm install.
• Expose Ports: The Dockerfile exposed port 3000, which was used by the game server.
• Startup Command: The game server was set to start with CMD ["npm", "start"].

Step 3: Building the Docker Image

After the Dockerfile was completed, the team built the Docker image using the command:

docker build -t my-game-app .

This image encapsulated the entire game application, ensuring it could be run in any environment that supports Docker.

Step 4: Testing the Docker Container Locally

Before deploying the application to the cloud, the team tested the Docker container locally. This step was crucial to ensure that the game ran smoothly and without errors. The container was started using:

docker run -p 3000:3000 my-game-app

This command mapped the container’s port 3000 to the local machine, allowing the team to access the game via a web browser.

Step 5: Deploying the Docker Container on AWS Elastic Beanstalk

With the game fully tested, the team proceeded to deploy the Docker container on AWS Elastic Beanstalk. The process involved:

• Initialization: The Elastic Beanstalk environment was initialized using the Elastic Beanstalk CLI with the command:

  eb init -p docker my-game-app

• Environment Creation: A new environment was created for deployment:

  eb create my-game-env

• Deployment: Finally, the Docker container was deployed using:

  eb deploy

Elastic Beanstalk managed the infrastructure, automatically handling load balancing, scaling, and application health monitoring.

Step 6: Monitoring and Optimization

Post-deployment, the team used AWS CloudWatch to monitor the application’s performance. They set up alarms for key metrics and adjusted the Elastic Beanstalk environment to optimize resource usage and ensure cost-efficiency.

Conclusion

This project demonstrated the power of combining Docker with AWS Elastic Beanstalk for rapid and reliable application deployment. The Mhtechin software development team successfully developed, containerized, and deployed a game application, leveraging modern cloud technologies to deliver a scalable and maintainable solution. This case study serves as a valuable reference for future projects, showcasing the benefits of containerization and cloud-based deployment.