Using AWS to Host ADempiere PostgreSQL Database for Free

Hosting ADempiere in the cloud has its benefits. Amazon makes it easy and free for a period of time. When you sign up for a new AWS account, you are eligible for their free tier. The purpose of this article is to help you find the easiest and least expensive way to host ADempiere in cloud.

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Updated 8/22/2013
Much has changed in the last year. I created a script that handles the entire iDempiere installation for you. Here is a post that describes the details.  I recommend that you use this process instead of the details listed below. Unless you perform heavy manufacturing, I recommend that you start with iDempiere instead of ADempiere.
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Here are some important points to consider when deploying ADempiere cloud ERP:

1. PostgreSQL on Ubuntu runs nicely on an AWS micro instance.
2. PostgreSQL and ADempiere (JBoss) do not run nicely on a single AWS micro instance. There is not enough horse power.
3. AWS gives you 750 hours of EC2 micro instance usage per month for free as part of their free tier.
4. 750 hours is just enough one time to run on instance 24 hours per day all month long.
5. 750 hours is also long enough to two micro instances on and off during the month. One instance for the PostgreSQL database; and one for the ADempiere JBoss server.
6. I illustrate the steps to install PostgreSQL and ADempiere on separate linux servers below.

Important note: The process of installing both components on a single machine is definitely easier. In my case, installing anything on a Windows server is much easier than Linux. Therefore, the easiest installation is on an AWS Small Instance running Windows. Since I want free cloud ERP, I am choosing the more challenging path.

Simple Windows Cloud ERP Installation: Here is a helpful link to install ADempiere on Windows.

Here are the resources I used to install PostgreSQL on an Ubuntu Linux server on AWS:

1. I signed up for an AWS account and launched a new EC2 instance. I chose an Ubuntu 12 LTS server.
2. I used this tutorial to connect to my instance.
3. I used Nano as a text editor on linux. It is MUCH easier than VI.
4. I used this tutorial to install PostgreSQL. Note that Ubuntu installs PostgreSQL version 9.1. This means the sudo -u postgres psql < /usr/share/postgresql/8.4/contrib/adminpack.sql command has changed. Here is the tutorial that helped me uncover the new path.
5. I used this tutorial to open up PostgreSQL to other machines. I chose to open the database up to all IPs. Instead, I used AWS’s security groups to limit IPs. I used this tutorial to familiarize myself with IPTables.
6. I installed PGAdmin on my local machine to confirm I could connect to my remote DB. All worked!