Ensuring a secure HTTPS connection for your EC2 instance is crucial for protecting user data and enhancing trust in your application. This guide will walk you through setting up HTTPS using AWS services like Route 53, AWS Certificate Manager (ACM), and CloudFront.
Understanding the HTTPS Setup Process on AWS
Conceptual Overview
To establish a secure HTTPS connection, you’ll leverage several AWS services:
- Route 53: Manages your domain registration and DNS settings.
- ACM: Issues SSL certificates to encrypt data.
- CloudFront: Distributes your content securely and optimizes performance.
Practical Steps
1. Route 53 – Domain Registration and DNS Management
Step-by-Step Guide
- Register a Domain: Navigate to the Route 53 console and select Register Domain. Follow the prompts to choose and purchase your domain.
- Configure DNS Records: Go to Hosted Zones in Route 53, select your domain, and create the following records:
- A Record: Points to your EC2 instance’s public IP address.
- CNAME Record: Used later for CloudFront distribution.
2. ACM – Certificate Application and Validation
Step-by-Step Guide
- Request a Certificate: In the ACM console, click Request a Certificate and choose Request a Public Certificate.
- Validate Domain Ownership: ACM will prompt you to validate your domain via DNS. Add the provided CNAME records to your Route 53 hosted zone.
3. CloudFront – Content Delivery Network Setup
Step-by-Step Guide
- Create a Distribution: In the CloudFront console, click Create Distribution. Choose Web and enter your EC2 instance as the origin.
- Configure Origin Settings:
- Origin Domain Name: Your EC2 instance’s public DNS.
- Origin Protocol Policy: HTTPS only.
- Custom Headers: Add any necessary headers for your application.
- Default Cache Behavior Settings:
- Viewer Protocol Policy: Redirect HTTP to HTTPS.
- Caching Policy: Customize your application as needed.
- Origin Request Policy: Define how CloudFront handles request headers.
4. Additional Settings
- Header and Query String Configuration: Ensure your settings align with your application’s requirements, mainly if you rely on specific headers or query strings.
- Function Associations: If necessary, associate Lambda@Edge functions to customize request and response behavior.
5. Final Configurations
- Custom SSL Certificate: In the CloudFront distribution settings, select the SSL certificate issued by ACM.
- CNAME Records: In Route 53, create CNAME records to point your domain to the CloudFront distribution.
Troubleshooting Common CloudFront Errors
Header and Query String Issues
- Incorrect Header Forwarding: Ensure your CloudFront settings match the headers your application expects.
- Query String Handling: Verify that CloudFront is configured to forward the correct query strings to your origin.
Conclusion
Following these steps, you can successfully set up HTTPS for your EC2 instance using Route 53, ACM, and CloudFront. This setup not only secures your application but also improves performance and reliability.