Django Deployment


Deploying a Django Application

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following prerequisites:

  • A Django application that is fully developed and tested.
  • Access to a production server or hosting provider.
  • Basic knowledge of Linux command line (if using a Linux server).
  • Domain name (optional, for custom domains).
Step 1: Prepare Your Django Application
  1. Set DEBUG to False: In your Django project's settings.py file, ensure that the DEBUG setting is set to False for security reasons in production.
  2. Collect Static Files: Run the following command to collect static files into a single directory:
  3. python manage.py collectstatic

    This will prepare your static assets for serving.

  4. Refer to the deployment checklist do the needful
    • Configure Database: Make sure your database settings (e.g., database name, username, password) in settings.py are set up correctly for your production database.
    • Secure Secrets: Store sensitive information like secret keys, database credentials, and API keys as environment variables or in a secure manner.
Step 2: Choose a Hosting Provider

Select a hosting provider or server environment for your Django application. Common options include:

  • Shared Hosting: Suitable for small to medium-sized websites.
  • Virtual Private Server (VPS): Provides more control and resources.
  • Platform as a Service (PaaS): Managed platforms like Heroku or PythonAnywhere.
  • Dedicated Server: Offers complete control over server configuration.
  • Cloud Services: Options like AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure for scalability.
Step 3: Set Up the Server

Option 1: Using a Managed Hosting Platform (e.g., Heroku)

  1. Sign up for an account with the hosting provider (e.g., Heroku).
  2. Follow the provider's documentation to create a new Django application.
  3. Deploy your code to the hosting platform using the provided tools or integrations.

Option 2: Self-Hosting on a Linux Server

  • Set up a Linux server with your chosen hosting provider.
  • Secure your server by configuring a firewall, setting up SSH key authentication, and keeping your server software up to date.
Step 4: Configure Your Server
  1. Install Dependencies: Install necessary software packages, including a web server (e.g., Nginx or Apache) and a WSGI server (e.g., Gunicorn or uWSGI).
  2. Set Up Virtual Environment: Create a virtual environment on your server and install Python and dependencies.
  3. Configure Server: Configure your web server to serve your Django application, including setting up static file serving and reverse proxy to the WSGI server.
  4. Set Environment Variables: Configure environment variables for sensitive information like database credentials.
Step 5: Deploy Your Django Application
  1. Clone Your Code: Use Git or another version control system to clone your Django application's code onto the server.
  2. Install Dependencies: Install Python dependencies using pip and the requirements.txt file:
  3. pip install -r requirements.txt
  4. Migrate the Database: Run migrations to set up your database schema:
  5. python manage.py migrate
  6. Collect Static Files: Collect static files on the server:
  7. python manage.py collectstatic
  8. Start the Application: Use your chosen WSGI server to start your Django application.
  9. Test: Verify that your application is running correctly by accessing it through your server's IP address or domain name.
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