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= Amazon Web Services (AWS) Server Configuration for MediaWiki 1.40 =

This article details configuring a MediaWiki 1.40 installation on Amazon Web Services (AWS). It's geared towards newcomers to both AWS and MediaWiki server administration. We will cover instance selection, database setup, storage, and basic security considerations.

1. Introduction to AWS for MediaWiki

AWS provides a scalable and reliable platform for hosting MediaWiki. Utilizing AWS allows for dynamic resource allocation, reducing the need for large upfront hardware investments. This guide focuses on a typical setup for small to medium-sized wikis. For very large wikis, consider more complex architectures involving load balancing, caching layers like Varnish, and database clustering. We will assume you have a basic AWS account and familiarity with the AWS Management Console. Understanding Networking concepts is also helpful.

2. Instance Selection (EC2)

Choosing the correct EC2 instance type is crucial. The following table outlines some suitable options, considering cost and performance. Remember to select an AWS Region geographically close to your user base to minimize latency. See Regions for available locations.

Instance Type vCPUs Memory (GiB) Cost (USD/month - approximate) Suitable For
t3.medium 2 4 $30 - $50 Small to medium wikis with moderate traffic
t3.large 2 8 $60 - $100 Medium wikis with higher traffic, or those anticipating growth
m5.large 2 8 $80 - $120 Larger wikis, development/testing environments

Consider using Amazon Linux 2 or Ubuntu Server as the operating system for your EC2 instance. Both are well-supported and have extensive documentation. Operating Systems are an important consideration.

3. Database Setup (RDS)

MediaWiki requires a database backend. Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) is a managed database service that simplifies database administration. MySQL or MariaDB are the recommended database engines for MediaWiki 1.40.

Database Engine Instance Type Storage (GiB) Cost (USD/month - approximate) Notes
MySQL db.t3.medium 20 $30 - $50 Solid performance for medium-sized wikis.
MariaDB db.t3.medium 20 $30 - $50 Generally faster than MySQL, good alternative.
MySQL db.r5.large 80 $120 - $180 For larger wikis needing higher performance.

Ensure you create a secure database user specifically for MediaWiki with limited privileges. Refer to the Security Best Practices section for more details. Backups should be enabled and regularly tested. Database Maintenance is essential.

4. Storage (EBS)

Amazon Elastic Block Storage (EBS) provides persistent block storage volumes for your EC2 instance. Use EBS for the MediaWiki installation directory and the `images` directory. General Purpose SSD (gp2 or gp3) volumes are recommended for good performance.

Volume Type Size (GiB) IOPS Cost (USD/month - approximate) Recommended Use
gp2 80 3,000 $8 - $12 MediaWiki installation and images directory
gp3 80 3,000 (configurable) $7 - $10 Newer generation, provides more control over IOPS/throughput
io1 100 1000+ $20 - $30 High-performance wikis requiring consistently high IOPS

Mount the EBS volume to a suitable directory on your EC2 instance (e.g., `/var/www/html`). File Storage is a key component of any wiki.

5. Security Considerations

⚠️ Note: All benchmark scores are approximate and may vary based on configuration. Server availability subject to stock. ⚠️

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