# Cloud Notes Platform – Cloud-Native Notes Management Application

## Author

Nihal Ahmed

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# Overview

Cloud Notes Platform is a modern cloud-native notes management web application developed using containerized deployment architecture and public cloud infrastructure.

The application allows users to:
- create notes
- store notes persistently
- manage lightweight note workflows
- access the application securely over HTTPS

The system is designed using a multi-component architecture consisting of:
- Flask backend application
- PostgreSQL database
- NGINX reverse proxy

The application is deployed on an AWS EC2 virtual machine using Docker Compose orchestration and HTTPS reverse proxy configuration.

The project demonstrates practical cloud deployment concepts including:
- containerization
- reverse proxy configuration
- persistent storage
- automated deployment
- cloud-hosted infrastructure
- HTTPS certificate management
- environment-based configuration

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# Features

- Create and manage notes
- Persistent PostgreSQL database storage
- Responsive modern web interface
- Dockerized application services
- AWS cloud deployment
- HTTPS secure communication
- DuckDNS public domain
- Reverse proxy architecture
- Automated deployment scripts
- Environment variable configuration
- Automatic container restart policies
- Database backup support
- Access log monitoring

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# Application Architecture


## High-Level Architecture

```text
User Browser
      ↓
NGINX Reverse Proxy (HTTPS)
      ↓
Flask Backend Container
      ↓
PostgreSQL Database Container

# Cost Analysis

Estimated yearly operational cost for the Cloud Notes Platform application assuming:

- approximately 1000 users per day
- 50GB database storage
- continuous 24/7 uptime
- HTTPS public access enabled

| Cloud Resource | Configuration | Billing Type | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWS EC2 Virtual Machine | t3.micro Ubuntu instance | Monthly | 6–8 EUR/month |
| AWS EBS Storage | 50GB persistent volume | Monthly | 5–7 EUR/month |
| Network Traffic | Moderate public traffic | Monthly | 1–3 EUR/month |
| DuckDNS Domain | Public DNS service | Free | 0 EUR |
| Let's Encrypt SSL Certificate | HTTPS certificate | Free | 0 EUR |

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## Estimated Yearly Cost

| Resource | Yearly Cost |
|---|---|
| EC2 Virtual Machine | 72–96 EUR/year |
| Persistent Storage | 60–84 EUR/year |
| Network Traffic | 12–36 EUR/year |
| Domain & SSL | Free |

### Total Estimated Yearly Cost

```text
144–216 EUR/year