How to Deploy Django 3 on Ubuntu 18.04

Introduction

Deploying a Django application can be a rewarding experience, allowing developers to share their applications with the world. This tutorial aims to guide you through the process of deploying Django 3 on Ubuntu 18.04, ensuring that your application runs smoothly and efficiently.

Prerequisites

• Basic knowledge of Python and Django.
• An Ubuntu 18.04 server with root access.
• Python 3.6 or later installed on your server.
• PostgreSQL (or another database) installed for production use.
• Familiarity with the command line and SSH.

Main Steps

Step 1: Update Your Server

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Start by updating your package index and upgrading any existing packages to ensure your server is running the latest software.

Step 2: Install Required Packages

You'll need to install several packages, including Python, pip, and virtualenv.

sudo apt install python3-pip python3-dev libpq-dev nginx curl

Step 3: Create a Virtual Environment

Creating a virtual environment helps to manage dependencies for your Django project.

python3 -m venv myprojectenv

Activate your virtual environment:

source myprojectenv/bin/activate

Step 4: Install Django and Gunicorn

Once the virtual environment is active, install Django and Gunicorn.

pip install django gunicorn

Step 5: Create a Django Project

Now, create your Django project if you haven’t done so already.

django-admin startproject myproject

Change into the project directory:

cd myproject

Step 6: Configure Your Database

Edit the settings.py file to configure your database settings. If using PostgreSQL, make sure you have it installed and configured.

DATABASES = {
'default': {
'ENGINE': 'django.db.backends.postgresql',
'NAME': 'mydatabase',
'USER': 'mydatabaseuser',
'PASSWORD': 'mypassword',
'HOST': 'localhost',
'PORT': '',
}
}

Step 7: Collect Static Files

Run the collectstatic command to gather all static files into one directory.

python manage.py collectstatic

Step 8: Migrate Your Database

Run migrations to create the database schema.

python manage.py migrate

Step 9: Test the Development Server

Run the Django development server to test your setup.

python manage.py runserver 0.0.0.0:8000

Visit http://your_server_ip:8000 to see if your project is running.

Step 10: Configure Gunicorn

Run Gunicorn to serve your application.

gunicorn --bind 0.0.0.0:8000 myproject.wsgi:application

Advanced Configuration

Setting Up Nginx as a Reverse Proxy

To serve your Django application over HTTP, configure Nginx as a reverse proxy for Gunicorn.

server {
listen 80;
server_name your_server_ip;

location = /favicon.ico { access_log off; log_not_found off; }
location /static/ {
root /path/to/your/project;
}

location / {
include proxy_params;
proxy_pass http://unix:/run/gunicorn.sock;
}
}

Save this configuration in /etc/nginx/sites-available/myproject and enable it:

sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/myproject /etc/nginx/sites-enabled

Test Nginx Configuration

Check the configuration for syntax errors.

sudo nginx -t

If everything is okay, restart Nginx:

sudo systemctl restart nginx

Securing Your Application with SSL (Optional)

You can secure your application using Let's Encrypt. Install Certbot:

sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginx

Obtain and install the SSL certificate:

sudo certbot --nginx -d your_domain

Best Practices

• Always use a virtual environment to manage dependencies.
• Keep your Django application and libraries updated.
• Secure your database and use strong passwords.
• Use environment variables to manage sensitive information.
• Implement logging and monitoring for your application.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with Gunicorn not starting, check the permissions on the socket file and ensure Gunicorn is running.

For Nginx, if your site is not reachable, check the configuration syntax and ensure Nginx is running properly.

Database connection issues can often be resolved by checking the settings in the settings.py file and ensuring the database server is running.

Conclusion

Deploying Django on Ubuntu 18.04 requires careful attention to detail, especially regarding configuration and security. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can successfully deploy your Django application and make it accessible to users worldwide. Continue to monitor and update your application regularly to ensure it remains secure and efficient.