How do we Build or Transfer to Amazon?
We create an Amazon AWS web services account for you, supplying your credit card for automated monthly payments.
A small learning curve follows so you know how to navigate the Account’s menus – invoicing and budget alerts.
You may choose to develop a test system first, or transfer/build on the live platform.
Advantage Web builds the server on a Virtual Private Server with Linux, managing all technical details for you, including domain name configurations or management, file and database transfers to Amazon – we need your current login details to do a transfer.
What Website Platforms do you Transfer?
The focus is on WordPress. We may review other services and applications. For example, CodeIgniter apps.
We use current operating systems, at time of writing such as optimised Linux2023, or Debian 12 with PHP8.3 and Nginx 1.29/memcached on ARM or X86 architectures. If an older app requires back level code such as PHP7.4 on Apache2, this is possible, but obviously not including current security levels. We intentionally do not use LightSail or Ubuntu OS, but can migrate away from it.
We have transferred and rescued a number of websites using older databases or hacked files.
What Happens with E-mail?
Businesses require a reliable, “real” e-mail service. These are separate 3rd party services we integrate into WordPress & Apps, such as MicroSoft Exchange, Google Business, Proton Mail and so on. “Real” services ensure proper security measures and delivery protocols are in place.
If you have a small website visitor count, we can forward e-mails at virtually no cost to your own e-mail address such as Gmail.
What will my end-user Experience Look Like?
You no longer have a cPanel interface. WordPress logins are identical – but performance is snappy.
E-mail is accessed through your e-mail client app on PC or tablet/mobile.
You may contact Advantage Web as needed where you are treated as a personal client as if your site is our own.
It is straight forward for us to add new websites, or remove an old one.
The backbone of your system has some performance, security and redundancy features, typically running on the Nginx web server with caching. This is preferred to Apache or LiteSpeed.
How do we manage the system?
System administration such as security updates and optionally WordPress plugins are managed by Advantage Web. We use automated programs to do this. There is no need to wait several months for critical updates anymore. Where manual work is required, there is a low hourly rate, even sometimes done for nothing!
Advantage Web has no problems working with others involved with your site, and is always happy to assist in any transfer in or out of our service.
https:// SSL certificates are renewed for free with the Let’s Encrypt service (common on cPanel services), or manually installed each year as a cost where a more “convincing” certificate is required for a business.
How is my Data Protected?
Advantage Web’s owner has experience and skill sets from having worked with many corporate companies, including IBM Australia as an In-Country Specialist and IT Solutions Architect. We use a Solutions Architecture and Design methodology to deliver components for full end-to-end Services, including Disaster Recovery, Security and Best Industry Practices, Monitoring and Problem Solving. We place various e-mail alert notifications into the system. Regular backups are tailored to your needs, stored on Amazon’s S3 Cloud. Data is kept typically in Sydney or Melbourne. Global sites such as USA, Canada, New Zealand store in their own region.
The Amazon Account is protected by two-factor authentication.
Can I Manage the AWS System?
You sure can! However, it is Linux, with various Amazon AWS services behind it. You should be able to use Linux command lines and an editor like vi on an SSH Shell terminal, and follow certain practices such as using the “ls” command before using the “rm” command – basic things like that.
Advantage Web provides a login to its own documents that cover the ins-and-outs of building and maintaining websites and e-mail on AWS. For example, creating a snapshot volume backup.
Developers working with Advantage Web may move into additional details depending on their needs.
