# Day 26 : Configuring an EC2 Instance as a Web Server with Nginx

Welcome to Day 26. Today, we will learn how to configure an EC2 instance as a web server using Nginx. In this lab, you will discover what User Data Scripts are and how they work.

### What is User Data Script in AWS?

In AWS, **User Data** is a feature that allows you to automate the configuration of an Amazon EC2 instance when it is first launched. This process is commonly known as **bootstrapping**. Instead of manually logging into a server via SSH to install software or change settings, you provide a script (or other data) during the launch process, and AWS executes it for you.

### Common Use Cases

* **Software Installation**: Installing web servers (Nginx, Apache), databases, or runtime environments (Python, Node.js).
    
* **Updates**: Running `apt-get update` or `yum update` to ensure the OS has the latest security patches.
    
* **Configuration**: Setting environment variables, creating local users, or downloading application code from GitHub or S3.
    
* **Service Management**: Starting and enabling services so they survive a reboot.
    

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```bash
#!/bin/bash

sudo apt update -y

sudo apt upgrade -y

sudo apt install nginx -y

sudo systemctl start nginx

sudo systemctl enable nginx
```

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Congratulations you did it. It looks good. This lab was successfully completed without any errors. See you in day 27. If you have any issues please let me know I will be happy to assist you. Stay tuned and learn together. If you find my article useful, please kindly like and share it.