Building a Scalable Streaming Platform

with
AWS S3 and CloudFront

Author – Dhiraj Gholap

 2

SUMMARY

This book offers a comprehensive guide to integrating Python with Amazon Web Services (AWS), bringing
you a deep understanding of how to use these tools together to create cloud-based applications. Starting
from the fundamentals, you’ll explore the essentials of Python programming and the power of AWS services,
all while following practical, hands-on examples Python with AWS: A Practical Guide is a comprehensive resource
designed to help readers leverage the power of Python programming and Amazon Web Services (AWS) for
building robust cloud applications. This book takes you from the foundational setup to advanced usage,
providing clear instructions and hands-on examples that will enable you to create scalable, cloud-based
solutions using the two powerful platforms. Starting with essential Python programming, the book guides
you through setting up your AWS environment, working with the AWS Command Line Interface (CLI), and
configuring your development environment for a seamless experience. It then delves into AWS's core
services, including Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) for virtual servers, Simple Storage Service (S3) for data
storage, Lambda for serverless computing, and Relational Database Service (RDS) for database management,
showing how to use Python to automate, manage, and optimize each one. With Python’s AWS SDK, Boto3,
you’ll learn to perform critical tasks like creating, configuring, and scaling AWS resources through Python
scripts. You’ll also build real-world projects, such as data pipelines and web applications, while exploring how
to deploy machine learning models on AWS Sage Maker. Additionally, the book covers best practices for
monitoring, securing, and troubleshooting your applications in a cloud environment, giving you insights into
setting up alerts, managing logs, and protecting data. Ideal for developers, data engineers, and tech
enthusiasts, this guide provides the practical skills and foundational knowledge needed to confidently build
and manage applications in the cloud, using Python to unlock AWS’s full potential. As you advance, the book
introduces key AWS services central to cloud computing, including EC2 for managing virtual servers, S3 for storage and
data management, Lambda for serverless architecture, and RDS for scalable database solutions. Each service is
explained in detail, providing readers with the knowledge needed to perform core tasks—such as creating and scaling
EC2 instances, securely storing data on S3, and executing serverless functions with Lambda—all while using Python
code for automation and optimization. The book places a special focus on Boto3, the AWS SDK for Python, which
enables efficient interaction with AWS services. Readers will find practical examples and code snippets that
demonstrate how to write Python scripts to manage AWS resources directly, an essential skill for anyone working in
the cloud. Beyond the basics, Python with AWS dives into real-world applications and project-building. You’ll
develop projects such as data pipelines, web applications, and machine learning models deployed on AWS
Sage Maker, allowing you to put theoretical knowledge into practice. For those interested in automation and
infrastructure management, the book introduces AWS CloudFormation and explores Infrastructure as Code
(IaC) principles, showing how to automate infrastructure deployment with Python scripts. Security,
monitoring, and troubleshooting are also covered, with detailed guidance on setting up alerts, analyzing logs
through AWS CloudWatch, and implementing best practices for data security. Ultimately, Python with AWS:
A Practical Guide provides the foundational and advanced knowledge necessary for building scalable, secure,
and efficient applications in a cloud environment. Whether you’re a developer, a data engineer, or a tech
enthusiast, this book will empower you to unlock AWS's full potential, transforming ideas into high-
performance cloud applications with Python

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 3

INTRODUCTION

About This book

Welcome to Python with AWS: A Practical Guide, a book designed to bridge the gap between Python programming
and the powerful services offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). This guide provides hands-on, step-by-step
instructions for using Python to build, deploy, and manage applications in the cloud, making it ideal for developers,
data engineers, and cloud enthusiasts eager to work with AWS.

What You Will Learn

In this book, you’ll gain a solid understanding of:

• AWS Essentials : Introduction to core AWS services and how they integrate with Python.

• Cloud Architecture Basics : How to use AWS resources like EC2 for computing, S3 for
storage, Lambda for serverless functions, and RDS for databases.

• Boto3 and Python Integration : Leveraging the Boto3 SDK to connect Python
applications to AWS, performing essential tasks like uploading data to S3, managing instances, and
running Lambda functions.

• Automation and Scalability : Using Python to automate routine tasks in AWS and
scale applications for production.

• Real-World Projects : Building practical applications that integrate multiple AWS

services, such as data processing pipelines, serverless applications, and machine learning models.

• Security and Best Practices : Implementing AWS best practices for security,
monitoring, and troubleshooting to ensure your applications are robust and safe.

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 4

Who This Book is For

Developers and Engineers

• Those who want to extend their Python skills into cloud computing and AWS.

Data Analysts and Scientists

• Those who work with large data sets and want to leverage AWS for data
processing and machine learning.

IT Professionals and Enthusiasts

• Individuals looking to expand their knowledge of AWS with practical, hands-on
Python applications.

How This Book is Structured

Each chapter is designed to build on the previous one, with practical exercises and code snippets to
reinforce learning. The book begins with setup and fundamentals, then moves into more complex
applications, covering topics such as:
Core AWS services and their applications with Python.
Building and deploying cloud-based applications.
Real-world projects to solidify knowledge and hands-on experience.
With these concepts in mind, Python with AWS: A Practical Guide aims to provide you with the skills to
confidently use Python in AWS environments, empowering you to create efficient, scalable, and secure
applications.

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5

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Python and AWS

Overview of Python ..................................................................... 5
Overview of AWS ........................................................................ 6
Setting Up Your Environment .................................................... 7
2. AWS Core Services Overview
EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) ....................................................... 9
S3 (Simple Storage Service) ....................................................... 11
Lambda .................................................................................... 13
RDS (Relational Database Service) ........................................ 14
IAM (Identity and Access Management) ............................... 15
Additional AWS Services ......................................................... 17
3. AWS SDK for Python (Boto3)
Introduction to Boto3 ................................................................. 19
Setting Up Boto3 .................................................................... 20
Basic Usage and Commands .................................................. 21
4. Working with AWS Services Using Python
S3 with Python .......................................................................... 23
DynamoDB with Python ........................................................... 24
EC2 with Python ...................................................................... 26
AWS Lambda with Python ......................................................... 27
RDS with Python ....................................................................... 29
5. Building Python Applications on AWS
Web Applications on Elastic Beanstalk .................................. 31
Data Processing Pipeline ......................................................... 33
Machine Learning on SageMaker .......................................... 35
Automating Tasks with CloudWatch and Lambda ............ 37
6. Advanced Topics in Python with AWS
AWS Lambda Layers ................................................................. 39
Serverless Architecture ............................................................. 40
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) .................................................. 42
Security Best Practices ............................................................. 43

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6
7. Monitoring and Troubleshooting
Monitoring with CloudWatch .................................................. 45
Logging and Log Analysis ........................................................ 46
Troubleshooting Common Issues ........................................... 47
8. Project Examples
Project 1: Data Collection Pipeline .......................................... 49
Project 2: Simple Web App on AWS ....................................... 51
Project 3: ML Model Deployment ............................................. 53
9. Conclusion and Next Steps
Review Key Concepts ............................................................... 55
Further Learning Resources .................................................. 56
Final Thoughts ......................................................................... 57

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 7

1. Introduction to Python and AWS

Python is a versatile and powerful programming language known for its simplicity and readability, making it a favorite
among developers for a wide range of applications, from web development to data analysis and artificial intelligence.
With a rich ecosystem of libraries and frameworks, Python enables rapid application development, allowing
programmers to focus on solving problems rather than dealing with complex syntax. This ease of use has contributed
to Python's popularity in the tech community and its widespread adoption in various industries.

On the other hand, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a leading cloud computing platform that offers a comprehensive
suite of services for computing, storage, networking, databases, machine learning, and more. AWS provides the
infrastructure and tools necessary to deploy scalable applications in the cloud, enabling businesses to reduce costs,
improve efficiency, and enhance flexibility. With services like Amazon EC2 for virtual servers, Amazon S3 for data
storage, and AWS Lambda for serverless computing, AWS empowers developers to build and manage applications
without the need to worry about physical hardware.

The integration of Python with AWS creates powerful possibilities for developers, enabling them to automate
processes, build robust cloud applications, and leverage the capabilities of the cloud. By using the AWS SDK for
Python (Boto3), developers can easily interact with AWS services, automating tasks such as creating virtual machines,
managing databases, and processing data. This book aims to provide a practical guide to using Python with AWS,
focusing on real-world applications and best practices. By the end of this book, readers will have the skills to
confidently build and deploy applications on AWS using Python, unlocking the full potential of cloud computing.

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 8

2. AWS Core Services Overview

Amazon Web Services (AWS) provides a wide array of cloud services that enable developers to build scalable, reliable
applications. Understanding these core services is essential for leveraging AWS effectively. This section offers a brief
overview of some of the most widely used AWS services.

EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud)

Amazon EC2 is a web service that provides resizable compute capacity in the cloud. It allows developers to run virtual
servers on demand, making it easy to scale applications up or down based on traffic and workload. EC2 offers a
variety of instance types optimized for different use cases, such as general-purpose computing, memory-intensive
applications, and high-performance computing.

S3 (Simple Storage Service)

Amazon S3 is an object storage service that provides industry-leading scalability, availability, and security. It allows
users to store and retrieve any amount of data at any time, from anywhere on the web. S3 is often used for storing
static website content, backups, and big data analytics. It also integrates seamlessly with other AWS services,
enabling a wide range of data management scenarios.

Lambda
AWS Lambda is a serverless compute service that lets you run code in response to events without provisioning or
managing servers. With Lambda, you can execute code for virtually any type of application or backend service, with
zero administration. You pay only for the compute time you consume, making it a cost-effective solution for running
event-driven applications.

RDS (Relational Database Service)

Amazon RDS makes it easy to set up, operate, and scale relational databases in the cloud. It supports several
database engines, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server, and provides features such as automated backups,
patch management, and monitoring. RDS is designed to handle database management tasks, allowing developers to
focus on building applications rather than managing infrastructure.

IAM (Identity and Access Management)

AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) enables you to manage access to AWS services and resources securely.
With IAM, you can create and manage AWS users and groups, and use permissions to allow or deny access to
resources. This service is crucial for ensuring that only authorized users have access to sensitive data and services in
your AWS environment.

Additional AWS Services

In addition to the core services mentioned above, AWS offers a vast array of other services, including networking
(Amazon VPC), content delivery (Amazon CloudFront), machine learning (Amazon SageMaker), and analytics (Amazon
Redshift). Each service is designed to work seamlessly with one another, providing a robust ecosystem for cloud
application development.

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 9

3. AWS SDK for Python (Boto3)

The AWS SDK for Python, known as Boto3, is the primary tool for interacting with AWS services through Python code.
Boto3 provides an easy-to-use interface that allows developers to manage AWS resources programmatically, making
it possible to automate, configure, and control AWS services directly from Python applications. In this section, you’ll
learn how to install and set up Boto3, as well as explore some common commands and basic usage examples.

Introduction to Boto3

Boto3 allows Python developers to interact with over 200 AWS services, including EC2, S3, Lambda, and RDS. With
Boto3, you can create and configure resources like virtual machines, databases, and storage buckets, all through
Python scripts. This makes it ideal for automating workflows, integrating AWS resources into applications, and
managing cloud infrastructure efficiently.

Setting Up Boto3

To use Boto3, you’ll need to install it in your Python environment and configure your AWS credentials. Here’s a quick
setup guide:

1. Install Boto3
Open your terminal or command prompt and enter the following command to install Boto3:

2. Configure AWS CLI

To manage credentials securely, configure the AWS CLI with the command:
aws configure

You’ll be prompted to enter your AWS access key, secret key, region, and output format. This configuration
will allow Boto3 to authenticate with AWS and access your resources.

3. Verify Installation
After installation, you can verify Boto3 is working by importing it in a Python script and listing all S3 buckets
in your account:

import boto3
s3 = boto3.client('s3')
response = s3.list_buckets()
print("S3 Buckets:", [bucket['Name'] for bucket in
response['Buckets']])

Basic Usage and Commands

With Boto3, you can create clients and resources for any AWS service. Here are a few common commands
and examples to get you started:

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10

• Creating EC2 Instances

ec2 = boto3.resource('ec2')
instance = ec2.create_instances(
ImageId='ami-0123456789abcdef0',
MinCount=1,
MaxCount=1,
InstanceType='t2.micro'
)

• Uploading Files to S3

s3 = boto3.client('s3') # #
s3.upload_file('local_file.txt', 'my_bucket', 's3_file.txt')

• Triggering a Lambda Function

lambda_client = boto3.client('lambda')
response = lambda_client.invoke(
FunctionName='my_lambda_function',
InvocationType='Event'
)

These are just a few examples of how Boto3 can be used to manage AWS resources. As you progress, you’ll
learn more advanced features and techniques for automating tasks and handling complex cloud applications
with Python and AWS.

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 11

4. Working with AWS Services Using Python

With Boto3, you can perform many operations on AWS resources from within Python, enabling you to automate
tasks, manage cloud infrastructure, and integrate AWS into applications. In this section, we’ll cover examples of using
Python to interact with AWS services like S3, DynamoDB, EC2, Lambda, and RDS.

S3 with Python

Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service) provides scalable object storage for a range of use cases. Here are some basic
operations with S3 in Python.

• Listing All Buckets

import boto3
s3 = boto3.client('s3')
response = s3.list_buckets()
print("Buckets:", [bucket['Name'] for bucket in response['Buckets']])
Uploading a File to S3
python
Copy code
s3.upload_file('path/to/local_file.txt', 'your_bucket_name', 'uploaded_file.txt')
Downloading a File from S3
python
Copy code
s3.download_file('your_bucket_name', 'uploaded_file.txt', 'path/to/local_file.txt')

DynamoDB with Python

Amazon DynamoDB is a fast, flexible NoSQL database service. Boto3 makes it easy to interact with DynamoDB for
operations like creating tables, inserting data, and querying data.

• Creating a Table

python
Copy code
dynamodb = boto3.resource('dynamodb')
table = dynamodb.create_table(
TableName='Users',
KeySchema=[{'AttributeName': 'UserID', 'KeyType': 'HASH'}],
AttributeDefinitions=[{'AttributeName': 'UserID', 'AttributeType': 'S'}],
ProvisionedThroughput={'ReadCapacityUnits': 5, 'WriteCapacityUnits': 5}
)

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 12

• Inserting an Item

table.put_item(
Item={
'UserID': '123',
'Name': 'John Doe',
'Age': 30
}
)

• Querying Data

response = table.get_item(Key={'UserID': '123'})

print(response['Item'])

EC2 with Python

Amazon EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) enables you to launch and manage virtual servers. Using Boto3, you can
automate EC2 instances for your applications.

• Launching an EC2 Instance

ec2 = boto3.resource('ec2')
instance = ec2.create_instances(
ImageId='ami-0123456789abcdef0',
MinCount=1,
MaxCount=1,
InstanceType='t2.micro'
)

• Stopping an EC2 Instance

ec2_client = boto3.client('ec2')
ec2_client.stop_instances(InstanceIds=['i-0abcdef1234567890'])

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 13

AWS Lambda with Python

AWS Lambda allows you to run code in response to events. Here’s how to invoke a Lambda function from Python.

• Invoking a Lambda Function

lambda_client = boto3.client('lambda')
response = lambda_client.invoke(
FunctionName='my_lambda_function',
InvocationType='RequestResponse'
)

RDS with Python

Amazon RDS (Relational Database Service) provides managed databases in the cloud. Here’s how to connect to an
RDS instance and retrieve data.

• Connecting to an RDS Database

To connect to an RDS database, you’ll need to set up connection parameters with a library such as psycopg2
for PostgreSQL or pymysql for MySQL.

import pymysql

connection = pymysql.connect(
host='your-db-instance.amazonaws.com',
user='username',
password='password',
database='your_database'
)

cursor = connection.cursor()
cursor.execute("SELECT * FROM your_table")
rows = cursor.fetchall()
for row in rows:
print(row)
connection.close()

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 14

5. Automating Tasks with Python and AWS

Automation is a powerful capability in cloud computing, helping to reduce manual effort, minimize errors, and
improve efficiency. By combining Python with AWS services through Boto3, you can automate a wide variety of tasks,
from launching EC2 instances to monitoring resources, creating backups, and managing data workflows.

Benefits of Automation in AWS

Automating AWS services with Python provides several advantages:

• Efficiency: Save time by reducing repetitive tasks.

• Consistency: Ensure tasks are performed identically each time.

• Cost-Effectiveness: Schedule tasks to run only when necessary, minimizing costs.

• Scalability: Easily manage resources across large, scalable environments.

Common Automation Use Cases

Below are a few typical scenarios where Python and AWS automation can streamline tasks:

• Auto-scaling EC2 Instances Based on Demand

With automation, you can monitor CPU usage on EC2 instances and automatically add or remove instances
to meet demand.

• Automatic Data Backup and Restore

Python scripts can periodically back up databases in RDS, snapshots of EC2, or files in S3 to ensure data
redundancy.

• Serverless Event-Driven Automations with Lambda

Using Lambda, you can trigger functions based on specific events, such as new files added to an S3 bucket,
changes in DynamoDB tables, or HTTP requests through API Gateway.

Automating with Python and Boto3: Examples

• Scheduling Backups for EC2

import boto3
from datetime import datetime

ec2 = boto3.client('ec2')
instances = ['i-0abcdef1234567890'] # Replace with your instance ID(s)

for instance in instances:

ec2.create_snapshot(
VolumeId=instance,
Description=f'Backup {datetime.now().strftime("%Y-%m-%d")}'
)

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 15

• Auto-Scaling EC2 Instances

import boto3

ec2 = boto3.resource('ec2')

# Example function to start instances

def start_instances(instance_ids):
ec2.instances.filter(InstanceIds=instance_ids).start()

start_instances(['i-0abcdef1234567890'])

• Creating S3 Lifecycle Rules for Automatic Deletion

s3 = boto3.client('s3')
bucket_name = 'your-bucket-name'

lifecycle_policy = {
'Rules': [{
'ID': 'DeleteOldFiles',
'Prefix': 'logs/',
'Status': 'Enabled',
'Expiration': {'Days': 30}
}]
}
s3.put_bucket_lifecycle_configuration(
Bucket=bucket_name,
LifecycleConfiguration=lifecycle_policy
)

These are just a few examples. In the following sections, we will explore specific AWS services that can benefit from
automation and learn to build more complex workflows.

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 16

• 6. Monitoring and Managing AWS Resources

In cloud infrastructure, monitoring and management are critical for ensuring that resources are functioning
as expected and that potential issues are addressed proactively. AWS provides powerful tools for monitoring,
which can be accessed and managed using Python.
• Overview of Monitoring Services
• AWS CloudWatch: A service that provides real-time monitoring of AWS resources and applications. It allows
you to track metrics, set alarms, and automatically respond to changes.
• AWS SNS (Simple Notification Service): Enables sending notifications based on events or alarms.
• AWS Lambda: Functions can be triggered automatically based on CloudWatch alarms or other event sources.

• Setting Up CloudWatch Alarms with Python

• CloudWatch Alarms can help you monitor specific metrics, such as CPU usage or memory consumption, and can
trigger actions if they exceed certain thresholds.
• Creating a CloudWatch Alarm for EC2
import boto3
cloudwatch = boto3.client('cloudwatch')
cloudwatch.put_metric_alarm(
AlarmName='HighCPUUtilization',
MetricName='CPUUtilization',
Namespace='AWS/EC2',
Statistic='Average',
Period=300,
EvaluationPeriods=2,
Threshold=80.0,
ComparisonOperator='GreaterThanThreshold',
AlarmActions=['arn:aws:sns:region:account-id:MySNSTopic'],
Dimensions=[{'Name': 'InstanceId', 'Value': 'i-0abcdef1234567890'}]
)

• Automating Alerts with SNS

• SNS can send messages to multiple recipients, alerting teams of critical issues based on CloudWatch alarms.
• Creating an SNS Topic and Subscription
sns = boto3.client('sns')

# Create topic
response = sns.create_topic(Name='MyAlertsTopic')
topic_arn = response['TopicArn']

# Subscribe an email address

sns.subscribe(
TopicArn=topic_arn,
Protocol='email',
Endpoint='[email protected]'
)
• Responding to Alarms with Lambda
• Lambda functions can be used to respond to alarms, performing actions such as restarting instances or scaling
resources.
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 17

• Lambda Function for Automatic Scaling

import boto3

def lambda_handler(event, context):

ec2 = boto3.client('ec2')
ec2.start_instances(InstanceIds=['i-0abcdef1234567890'])
return "Instance started in response to CloudWatch alarm"

• This section gives readers a full workflow for monitoring resources with CloudWatch, alerting with SNS, and
responding with Lambda functions.

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