Appkata - Example Apps on Fly

To build a modern application, you need to know how to take down your technical challenges in style. It’s a style we call Appkata! Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing with you the moves you need to deploy apps onto Fly that let you build faster.

Dj Walker-Morgan
4 min readbeginner
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Overview

The article introduces Appkata, a series of example applications designed to help developers deploy apps on Fly.io. It covers four specific backend applications: Redis, MinIO, Gogs, and MQTT, each demonstrating different functionalities and deployment strategies.

What You'll Learn

1

How to deploy a Redis instance with persistent storage on Fly

2

How to set up an S3-compatible object store using MinIO

3

How to create a private Git server using Gogs

4

How to implement an MQTT broker with Mosquitto for messaging

Key Questions Answered

How can I deploy a Redis instance on Fly?
You can deploy a Redis instance on Fly by using existing Docker images and customizing them for better performance. The deployment allows for persistent storage through Fly's Volumes feature, ensuring that your Redis can restart and recover seamlessly.
What is MinIO and how is it set up on Fly?
MinIO is a free software implementation of the S3 platform that can be set up on Fly to provide an S3-compatible object storage solution. The setup involves creating a single node with an attached persistent volume, accessible over Fly’s TLS edge connections.
What features does Gogs provide as a Git server?
Gogs is an open-sourced Git server that provides a lightweight solution for source code control. It includes features like an issue tracker, web hooks, and the ability to use an SQLite3 database for storage, making it easy to deploy on Fly.
How does the MQTT protocol work with Mosquitto on Fly?
The MQTT protocol, suitable for IoT applications, can be implemented using Mosquitto on Fly. This setup includes TLS-encrypted connections and user/password authentication, with message persistence supported by Fly Volumes.

Technologies & Tools

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Database
Redis
Used for fast key/value storage with persistent capabilities.
Object Storage
Minio
Provides an S3-compatible object storage solution.
Version Control
Gogs
Serves as a lightweight Git server for source code management.
Messaging Protocol
Mqtt
Facilitates messaging between applications and devices.
Messaging Broker
Mosquitto
Acts as an MQTT broker for handling message communication.

Key Actionable Insights

1
Deploying a Redis instance on Fly with persistent storage can significantly enhance your application's reliability.
By utilizing Fly's Volumes feature, you ensure that your Redis instance can recover from restarts without data loss, which is crucial for applications requiring high availability.
2
Setting up MinIO as an S3-compatible object store allows for easy integration with existing S3 workflows.
This approach is beneficial for developers familiar with S3, as it leverages existing knowledge while providing the flexibility of running on Fly.
3
Using Gogs for a private Git server can streamline development processes by providing essential version control features.
Gogs is lightweight and easy to deploy, making it an excellent choice for teams looking to manage their source code without the overhead of larger solutions.
4
Implementing an MQTT broker with Mosquitto can facilitate efficient messaging between IoT devices and applications.
This setup is particularly useful in scenarios where low-latency communication is required, such as in real-time data processing applications.