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In this tutorial, we’ll manually deploy a Node.js Express application to AWS Lambda. You will learn how to prepare your code, package it, upload to S3, and update the Lambda function. Afterwards, we’ll automate these steps using a Jenkins pipeline.

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AWS Resources Setup

First, ensure you have an Amazon S3 bucket and an existing AWS Lambda function.
The image shows an Amazon S3 console with two general purpose buckets listed, named "solar-system-jenkins-reports-bucket" and "solar-system-lambda-bucket," both located in the US East (Ohio) region.
The image shows an AWS Lambda console with a list of functions, including one named "solar-system-f..." with details like runtime, code size, and memory.

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Lambda Function Overview

The image shows an AWS Lambda console with details about a function, including code properties like package size and runtime settings for Node.js 20.x. There's also a notification indicating that the Lambda handler function file is not found.
ParameterValue
Namesolar-system-function
Package typezip
RuntimeNode.js 20.x
Handlerapp.handler
The image shows an AWS Lambda console displaying details of a function, including code properties and runtime settings for Node.js 20.x.

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Environment Variables

By default, MongoDB credentials are hardcoded. We’ll remove them when automating the pipeline.
Avoid storing sensitive credentials in plain text. Use AWS Secrets Manager or secure environment variables.
The image shows an AWS Lambda console with a function named "solar-system-function" open, displaying the code editor with an HTML file and some environment variables.

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Function URL and Application Version

This Lambda function has a public URL serving version 3.0 of the Solar System app.
The image shows an AWS Lambda console page for a function named "solar-system-function," displaying its configuration details, including a public function URL.
Visit the URL to view your app:
The image shows a stylized representation of the solar system with planets orbiting the sun, accompanied by a user interface labeled "Solar System 3.0" for searching planets.
CORS is enabled (*) for public access.

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Manual Deployment Steps

Follow these steps to deploy your app:
  1. Clone the repository.
  2. Adapt app.js for AWS Lambda.
  3. Install dependencies.
  4. Update index.html version.
  5. Package the application.
  6. Upload the ZIP to S3.
  7. Update Lambda function code.
  8. Verify the deployment.

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1. Clone the Repository

mkdir sandbox && cd sandbox
git clone https://gitlab.com/sidd-harth/solar-system.git
cd solar-system

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2. Configure app.js for AWS Lambda

Replace the Express listener with a Serverless handler. Original at the end of app.js: 
app.listen(3000, () => { console.log("Server running on port 3000"); });
module.exports = app;
Run these commands: 
sed -i 's|app.listen(3000.*|//&|' app.js
sed -i 's|module.exports = app;|// module.exports = app;|' app.js
echo -e "\nmodule.exports.handler = require('serverless-http')(app);" >> app.js
The final lines should read: 
// app.listen(3000, () => { console.log("Server running on port 3000"); });
// module.exports = app;

module.exports.handler = require('serverless-http')(app);

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3. Install Dependencies

Ensure serverless-http is listed in package.json: 
{
  "dependencies": {
    "cors": "2.8.5",
    "express": "4.18.2",
    "mongoose": "5.13.20",
    "serverless-http": "^3.2.0"
  }
}
Install with npm: 
npm install

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4. Update Application Version

Change Solar System 3.0 to Solar System 4.0: 
sed -i 's/Solar System 3.0/Solar System 4.0/' index.html

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5. Package the Application

Create the deployment ZIP: 
zip -qr solar-system-lambda.zip app.js package.json package-lock.json index.html node_modules

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6. Upload the ZIP to S3

Upload to your Lambda bucket: 
aws s3 cp solar-system-lambda.zip s3://solar-system-lambda-bucket/solar-system-lambda.zip
Confirm in the S3 console:
The image shows an Amazon S3 bucket interface with a file named "solar-system-lambda.zip" listed, which is 9.9 MB in size.

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7. Update Lambda Function Code

Point your Lambda to the new S3 object: 
aws lambda update-function-code \
  --function-name solar-system-function \
  --s3-bucket solar-system-lambda-bucket \
  --s3-key solar-system-lambda.zip
Optionally, view current configuration: 
aws lambda get-function-url-config --function-name solar-system-function

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Sample Output

{
  "FunctionName": "solar-system-function",
  "Runtime": "nodejs20.x",
  "Handler": "app.handler",
  "LastModified": "2024-10-07T12:36:54.000+0000",
  "Version": "$LATEST"
}

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8. Verify the Deployment

Retrieve the function URL: 
aws lambda get-function-url-config --function-name solar-system-function
Example: 
{
  "FunctionUrl": "https://kg12znysq2qhk1676t2p5de0jcm.lambda-url.us-east-2.on.aws/",
  "AuthType": "NONE",
  "Cors": { "AllowOrigins": ["*"] }
}
Open the URL and confirm it shows Solar System 4.0.

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Summary

  • Replace app.listen with a serverless-http handler.
  • Run npm install.
  • Update the version in index.html.
  • Zip the application files.
  • Upload the ZIP to S3.
  • Execute aws lambda update-function-code.
  • Validate the new version via the function URL.
Next, we’ll automate this workflow in a Jenkins pipeline.

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