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3. Production Multi-Container Setup with Docker Compose

📚 Learning Objectives

After completing this exercise, you will be able to:

Design and implement a production-grade multi-container architecture
Configure nginx as a reverse proxy for PHP-FPM
Use Docker Compose to orchestrate multiple containers
Implement container networking and service dependencies
Apply security best practices for production deployments

🔧 Prerequisites

Docker Desktop installed and running
Basic understanding of web servers and PHP
Completed Exercise 1 (Dockerizing a PHP Web Application)
Source files from Exercise 1 (src/ directory with PHP application)

📋 Architecture Overview

In this exercise, we’ll create a production-ready setup with:

3. Installing and Configuring phpMyAdmin for MySQL Admin

🎯 Goal

Install and configure phpMyAdmin to provide a web-based graphical interface for managing your MySQL database, making it easier to view data, run queries, and perform database administration tasks.

📋 Prerequisites

Before beginning this tutorial, you should:

Have completed Tutorial 1: Manual LEMP Stack Installation
Have a working MySQL database with the contact form application
Understand basic database concepts (tables, records, queries)
Have SSH access to your Ubuntu VM

📚 Learning Objectives

By the end of this tutorial, you will:

3. Install PHP and Create a Simple Form Handler

🎯 Goal

Install PHP on your Ubuntu VM and create a simple web application that processes HTML form submissions, demonstrating basic server-side processing with PHP.

📋 Prerequisites

Before beginning this exercise, you should:

Have completed the previous VM creation exercises
Have an Ubuntu VM running with Nginx installed
Be able to SSH into your VM
Understand basic HTML form structure

📚 Learning Objectives

By the end of this exercise, you will:

3. Creating a Virtual Network with Enhanced Security using Azure CLI

Overview

This exercise will guide you through provisioning a complete solution on Azure using only Azure CLI. The solution comprises three servers: a web server, a reverse proxy, and a bastion host. These components are connected via a virtual network and secured with a Network Security Group (NSG) and Application Security Groups (ASGs).

By the end of this exercise, you will have a working environment with secure, isolated network communication between components.

3. Automating Nginx Installation with Custom Data Scripts

Overview

This exercise introduces the use of custom data scripts to automate the installation of Nginx during VM provisioning. You will also edit the default Nginx index page to display custom content.

Step 1: Log in to Azure Portal

Open a web browser and navigate to the Azure Portal.
Sign in using your Azure account credentials.

Step 2: Create a Virtual Machine with Custom Data

Navigate to Virtual Machines in the Azure Portal and click Create > Virtual machine.
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4. Deploy Containers to Azure Container Apps

📚 Learning Objectives

After completing this exercise, you will be able to:

Deploy containers to Azure Container Apps
Use both Azure Portal and Azure CLI for deployment
Update running containers with new images
Understand the benefits of serverless container hosting
Manage container applications without infrastructure complexity

🔧 Prerequisites

Azure subscription with credits
Azure CLI installed (version 2.37.0 or later)
Docker Hub account with your PHP application from Exercise 1
Basic understanding of containers

📋 What is Azure Container Apps?

Azure Container Apps is a serverless container hosting service that allows you to:

4. SSL/TLS Configuration for Nginx

🎯 Goal

Configure SSL/TLS encryption for your LEMP stack application using Nginx SSL offloading, providing secure HTTPS connections for your web application and phpMyAdmin interface.

📋 Prerequisites

Before beginning this tutorial, you should:

Have completed Tutorial 1: Manual LEMP Stack Installation
Have a working Nginx web server serving your application
Have SSH access to your Ubuntu VM
Understand basic concepts of SSL/TLS encryption
Recommended: Configure your VM with a static public IP address (see note below)
For Part 2 (Let’s Encrypt): Own a registered domain name pointing to your VM’s public IP

⚠️ Important: Static IP Recommendation
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4. Install the LEMP Stack on an Ubuntu VM Using Azure CLI

Overview

This tutorial explains how to install the LEMP stack (Linux, Nginx, MySQL, PHP) on an Ubuntu Virtual Machine (VM).

Step 1: Provision the Virtual Machine

Create a resource group:

az group create --name LempRG --location northeurope

Provision the Ubuntu VM:

az vm create \
  --resource-group LempRG \
  --name LempVM \
  --image Ubuntu2204 \
  --size Standard_B1s \
  --admin-username azureuser \
  --generate-ssh-keys

Open port 80 for HTTP traffic:

az vm open-port --resource-group LempRG --name LempVM --port 80

Retreive the Public IP of the VM:
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4. Creating a Resource Group Using AZ CLI

Overview

This exercise introduces the Azure CLI for managing Azure resources. You will use Azure CLI commands to create a resource group and verify its creation.

Step 1: Log in to Azure Cloud Shell

Open the Azure Portal and click the Cloud Shell icon (top-right corner).
Select Bash as your shell environment if prompted.

💡 Information
The Azure Cloud Shell is a Terminal in the Azure Portal that comes pre-configured with the Azure CLI. It enables you to run CLI commands without additional setup.
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5. Setting Up a Free Domain with DuckDNS

🎯 Goal

Set up a free subdomain using DuckDNS that points to your Azure VM, enabling you to use Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates and access your application with a memorable domain name instead of an IP address.

📋 Prerequisites

Before beginning this tutorial, you should:

Have an Azure VM running with a static public IP address
Know your VM’s public IP address
Have an email address for account registration
Understand basic DNS concepts (A records, domain resolution)

📚 Learning Objectives

By the end of this tutorial, you will: