If you’re looking to deploy, manage, and scale Elasticsearch on AWS, this guide will walk you through the essential steps to get started. Whether you’re already familiar with Elasticsearch concepts or new to them, understanding how to create and configure an Elasticsearch domain on AWS is critical. Follow this tutorial to learn how to set up your domain, upload and index data, perform searches, and manage domains within Amazon’s Elasticsearch service.
How to Set Up Your Elasticsearch Domain on AWS
When you want to start using Amazon Elasticsearch Service (Amazon ES), the first step is to set up an Elasticsearch domain. In the context of AWS, an Elasticsearch domain is essentially a managed Elasticsearch cluster that can be customized with different configurations, such as the type of instances you want to use, the number of nodes, and the storage settings. Setting up a domain on AWS can be done through various tools such as the AWS Management Console, AWS SDKs, or the AWS CLI. Below is a detailed guide to help you through the process of setting up your Elasticsearch domain on AWS.
Step 1: Log Into the AWS Management Console
The very first step in setting up your Elasticsearch domain on AWS is to log into the AWS Management Console. This is the web interface that allows you to manage all your AWS resources. To get started, visit the official AWS website and enter your login credentials—either your email address and password or your AWS account’s access keys.
If you don’t have an AWS account yet, don’t worry! You can easily create a new account by following the simple instructions provided on the AWS sign-up page. The process is quick and straightforward, and once you’ve signed up, you’ll gain access to a range of cloud services, including Amazon Elasticsearch Service.
Once you’re logged in, you’ll be redirected to the AWS Management Console homepage, where you can navigate to the various services available, including Amazon Elasticsearch Service (Amazon ES). From there, you can begin setting up your domain.
Step 2: Access the Analytics Section
After successfully logging into your AWS Management Console, your next step is to locate the Analytics section. To begin, navigate through the console’s main dashboard, where you’ll find a list of services offered by Amazon Web Services. In this area, search for and select the Elasticsearch Service option.
This will direct you to the Amazon Elasticsearch Service management console, a comprehensive interface where you can create, manage, and configure your own Elasticsearch domains. From this platform, you can control various aspects of the service, such as creating domains, managing access, and tuning performance settings according to your project’s needs.
In the Amazon Elasticsearch Service console, you can take the next steps toward setting up your Elasticsearch environment, making it an essential tool for handling large amounts of data in real-time, while also gaining insights into application logs, metrics, and other important datasets. The interface is designed to be user-friendly, allowing for a streamlined process from domain creation to configuration.
Step 3: Start the Process of Creating a New Domain
To kick off the domain creation process, look for and select the option labeled Create a new domain within the Amazon Elasticsearch Service console. Clicking this will guide you to a dedicated setup page, where you can begin configuring the specific settings required for your Elasticsearch domain.
The domain creation page offers a variety of customization options that will allow you to tailor the service to suit your particular needs. Here, you’ll be prompted to define key parameters such as the domain name, Elasticsearch version, instance types, storage configurations, and more. Each of these settings is crucial for the overall performance and functionality of your Elasticsearch service, so take the time to carefully consider each option.
Once on this page, you can also choose between different deployment options, including development or production environments, depending on the scale of your project. The user interface is intuitive, providing step-by-step guidance throughout the process to ensure you configure your Elasticsearch domain efficiently and effectively.
By selecting the appropriate configurations now, you will set the foundation for a robust and scalable Elasticsearch domain that can easily handle large volumes of data and traffic, enabling you to leverage its full potential for data search and analysis.
Step 4: Choose the Appropriate Deployment Option
As you proceed with configuring your Elasticsearch domain, you’ll encounter a critical decision point: selecting the right deployment option for your use case. Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers a range of deployment options designed to accommodate different needs, whether you are working on a small-scale project, testing, or preparing for large-scale production environments.
For newcomers to Amazon Elasticsearch Service, or for those who are still testing various configurations, opting for the Development and Testing deployment option is typically the most straightforward and efficient choice. This particular option simplifies many of the more complex configuration settings, providing a more streamlined and user-friendly setup process. It’s tailored to support smaller-scale environments or less resource-intensive workloads, making it ideal for getting hands-on experience or experimenting with new features without needing to worry about the more intricate settings required for production environments.
By selecting the Development and Testing option, you’re also taking advantage of simplified resource allocation and automated performance optimizations that ensure you can focus on your data analysis tasks, rather than spending time on system configuration. This approach is particularly beneficial when you need to quickly set up an Elasticsearch domain for proof of concept, testing, or experimentation.
If, later on, your project grows in scale or shifts toward more advanced use cases, you can always migrate to a more complex deployment setup tailored to meet the demands of high-traffic, large-scale production environments.
Step 5: Select the Desired Elasticsearch Version
Now that you’ve configured the basic deployment settings, the next important step is to choose the Elasticsearch version you wish to deploy. AWS offers a variety of Elasticsearch versions, each equipped with unique features, performance improvements, and security enhancements.
Choosing the right version is essential because different versions may support varying levels of functionality, compatibility with your existing systems, and scalability for future growth. When deciding on a version, consider factors such as your application’s requirements, the need for advanced features, and any compatibility concerns with other AWS services or third-party integrations you plan to use.
For instance, if you’re working on an application that requires cutting-edge features like machine learning integrations or enhanced security, opting for the latest stable version of Elasticsearch may be the best choice. On the other hand, if your project requires specific functionality or compatibility with an older system, you might select a slightly earlier version that aligns with those needs.
Once you’ve carefully evaluated the available versions, select the one that best fits your use case and click Next to move forward with the setup process. AWS will guide you through the rest of the configuration steps, ensuring that your Elasticsearch environment is tailored precisely to your needs.
Step 6: Assign a Name to Your Elasticsearch Domain
At this stage, you are required to name your Elasticsearch domain. The domain name you choose will serve as the unique identifier for your Elasticsearch cluster within AWS, making it an essential element of your setup process. Since the domain name is integral to both managing your cluster and organizing your AWS resources, it’s important to select a name that is not only descriptive but also easy to remember.
It’s highly recommended to pick a name that reflects the purpose or function of the domain. This can help you stay organized, especially if you manage multiple domains or services within your AWS account. For example, if your domain is dedicated to processing logs, you might consider a name like “log-analytics” or “web-logs-cluster.” Similarly, for a domain handling product search data, a name like “product-search-domain” would provide a clear and intuitive reference.
Keep in mind that once your domain is created, the name cannot be changed. Therefore, it’s crucial to think carefully before finalizing your selection. Choose a name that will still be relevant as your project scales or evolves over time.
After you’ve selected a suitable and memorable name for your Elasticsearch domain, proceed by confirming your choice and moving on to the next configuration step. AWS will use this name to generate the necessary resources and link your domain to other services within your AWS environment.
Step 7: Choose the Right Node Type for Your Data
At this critical juncture in the setup process, AWS allows you to select the instance type for your Elasticsearch data nodes. The instance type you choose will directly influence the performance, scalability, and cost of your Elasticsearch domain, so it’s essential to select the right option based on your application’s scale and resource requirements.
For small to medium-scale applications, AWS offers a range of instance types, and one of the most popular and cost-effective options is the t3.small.elasticsearch instance type. This instance provides a well-balanced combination of CPU, memory, and networking performance, making it an excellent choice for projects that don’t demand heavy computational resources but still require reliable performance. It’s a great option if you’re just getting started, testing, or running smaller workloads, as it offers a solid value without a high cost.
However, if you foresee needing more power, whether due to an increase in traffic, the complexity of your queries, or larger volumes of data, you can choose from other instance types with greater capabilities. AWS provides various instance types designed to accommodate different workloads, including memory-optimized and compute-optimized options. For example, if your application requires advanced real-time analytics, you might want to consider the r5.elasticsearch or m5.elasticsearch instances, which offer enhanced memory and CPU resources for more demanding tasks.
It’s also important to factor in future growth when selecting your node type. If you anticipate scaling your Elasticsearch cluster, opting for a more powerful instance type upfront could save you the hassle of having to reconfigure or migrate to a larger instance later on.
Once you’ve chosen the node type that best suits your current needs and anticipated growth, you can proceed to the next step in the domain setup process, ensuring your Elasticsearch cluster is appropriately equipped to handle the data workloads you expect.
Step 8: Set Up Network Configuration for Your Domain
In this crucial step, you will need to configure the network settings for your Elasticsearch domain. Properly setting up your network is essential to ensure that your domain is both secure and accessible according to your specific requirements.
One of the most important decisions during this step is determining whether your domain should be publicly accessible or restricted to a private network. This choice has significant implications for both the security and accessibility of your domain, so it’s essential to carefully evaluate your use case.
If your application requires external systems, users, or third-party services to access your Elasticsearch domain, choosing Public Access is likely the most suitable option. Enabling public access allows your Elasticsearch domain to be reachable over the internet, making it easier to integrate with other cloud services, external applications, or web-based systems. With public access, you can ensure that data from various sources can flow into your Elasticsearch cluster seamlessly.
However, if your Elasticsearch domain contains sensitive data, or you wish to limit access to specific internal systems only, you may prefer to choose Private Access. This option restricts access to the domain from external networks and ensures that only internal resources within your Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) can interact with the domain. This adds a layer of security by preventing unauthorized access from the public internet.
Additionally, AWS provides options to configure VPC peering, allowing private communication between your domain and other VPCs in your AWS environment. This can be useful if you want to maintain secure, private communication channels without exposing your domain to the wider internet.
After configuring your network settings, it’s important to verify that you’ve selected the correct access type for your use case. Once confirmed, proceed to the next step in the domain creation process.
Step 9: Configure Access Control for Your Domain
At this stage, ensuring robust access control for your Elasticsearch domain is critical for maintaining the security of your data and the overall integrity of your system. AWS provides several access control mechanisms that help safeguard your domain from unauthorized access and ensure that only authorized users can perform certain actions on the domain.
The first step in setting up access control is to create a master user. This user will have full administrative privileges over your Elasticsearch domain, granting them the ability to configure, manage, and monitor the domain’s resources. It is important to assign a unique username and a strong password to this master account, as it will be the primary point of control for your domain. Make sure that the password you select is complex, incorporating a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters to protect against brute-force attacks.
While the master user will have full administrative privileges, AWS also allows you to define fine-grained access control for other users within your organization, ensuring that only the right individuals have access to the specific parts of the domain they need. You can assign permissions based on roles, creating a least-privilege access model to minimize security risks.
Additionally, AWS offers the option to integrate your Elasticsearch domain with AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), allowing you to manage user access using IAM policies. With IAM, you can assign more granular permissions, defining who can access specific resources, perform read or write actions, and monitor domain activity.
It is highly recommended to enable fine-grained access control if your domain handles sensitive information or if you need to enforce strict security protocols. By using IAM roles, you can ensure that each user has access only to the resources necessary for their specific tasks.
Once you’ve created the master user and configured access control settings, take the time to review and test the access policies to make sure they align with your security requirements. After confirming that your access control is properly set up, proceed to the next step in configuring your Elasticsearch domain.
Step 10: Set the Domain Access Policy
At this stage, it’s crucial to define the domain access policy, which governs how users and systems can interact with your Elasticsearch domain. The access policy specifies which clients or services can connect to your domain and what actions they are permitted to perform.
For initial testing and configuration, you might choose the option labeled Allow Open Access to the Domain. This setting grants unrestricted access to your domain, making it easier to quickly test and integrate with other services without worrying about access controls during the early stages of setup. While this option can be helpful for development environments or proof-of-concept testing, it is not secure and should be avoided for production use.
In production environments, security is paramount, and you must configure a more restrictive access policy to ensure that only authorized users, systems, or services can connect to and interact with your Elasticsearch domain. AWS provides several methods for setting fine-grained access control, such as allowing connections only from specific IP addresses or VPCs. By restricting access to trusted sources, you reduce the risk of unauthorized access and ensure that your Elasticsearch domain is only accessible to the intended parties.
You can also apply policies that control the specific actions users and systems are allowed to perform, such as read-only access or full administrative privileges. Using IAM policies in conjunction with access control lists (ACLs) helps provide an additional layer of security, giving you fine-tuned control over who can interact with your Elasticsearch domain and how they can interact with it.
Once you have set up the appropriate access policies, verify that your domain is securely configured before moving on to further stages of deployment. If at any point you need to make changes to your access policy, AWS allows you to easily modify these settings to adapt to your evolving security needs.
Step 11: Set Up Encryption for Your Domain
In this step, you’ll configure the encryption settings for your Elasticsearch domain to ensure that your data is protected both at rest and in transit. Encryption is a critical security measure, especially when handling sensitive information, and AWS offers robust options to help safeguard your data.
By default, Elasticsearch provides encryption at rest using AWS Key Management Service (KMS) to protect the data stored on disk. For most use cases, these default encryption settings are sufficient to meet security standards and compliance requirements. However, depending on your organization’s specific security policies or industry regulations, you may need to customize your encryption settings further.
Encryption at Rest
Encryption at rest ensures that data stored on disk is automatically encrypted, protecting it from unauthorized access even if someone gains access to the underlying storage. AWS uses KMS to manage encryption keys, and you can either use the default AWS-managed keys or specify your own custom KMS key. If your organization requires control over encryption keys for regulatory or compliance reasons, creating a custom KMS key allows you to have complete management over access and rotation of the keys.
Encryption in Transit
To further enhance the security of your Elasticsearch domain, you can also enable encryption in transit. This feature secures data as it travels between your clients and the Elasticsearch domain, preventing eavesdropping and ensuring data integrity. Encryption in transit uses TLS/SSL (Transport Layer Security) to establish secure communication channels. It’s particularly important if your Elasticsearch domain is accessed over public networks or if you’re transmitting sensitive data such as personally identifiable information (PII) or financial records.
Customizing Encryption Settings
While the default encryption settings are robust and secure for most scenarios, there are cases where organizations need more specific configurations. If your organization requires custom encryption settings, AWS allows you to adjust the level of encryption, select specific encryption keys, or enforce strict encryption protocols for data access. These advanced configurations can help you meet specific security or compliance requirements, such as those outlined in GDPR or HIPAA.
After selecting the encryption settings that best fit your security needs, it’s important to review your choices to ensure they align with your organization’s data protection policies. Once confirmed, proceed to the next stage in setting up your Elasticsearch domain.
Step 12: Review and Confirm Your Domain Configuration
Before finalizing the creation of your Elasticsearch domain, AWS provides a comprehensive summary of all the settings you’ve configured throughout the setup process. This is a crucial step, as it gives you the opportunity to carefully review every detail and ensure that all configurations align with your project’s requirements and security standards.
The summary will include important information such as:
- The domain name you’ve selected.
- The Elasticsearch version and instance type you’ve chosen.
- The network settings, including whether the domain is publicly or privately accessible.
- Your access control settings, including the master user and any defined roles or permissions.
- Encryption settings, including whether encryption at rest and in transit is enabled.
- Domain access policies, specifying who can connect to the domain and what actions they can perform.
Take the time to verify that each setting is correct, especially when it comes to security configurations like encryption, access policies, and network access. This ensures that your domain will be properly set up to meet both your performance and security needs.
If everything looks correct and you’re satisfied with your configuration, click the Confirm button to initiate the domain creation process. Once confirmed, AWS will begin provisioning your Elasticsearch domain based on the settings you’ve selected, and you’ll be able to monitor the domain’s status through the console as it’s being created.
After this step, your Elasticsearch domain will be live and ready for use, allowing you to index and search large volumes of data, integrate with other AWS services, and start leveraging the power of Elasticsearch for your applications.
Step 13: Wait for the Domain Creation to Complete
After you’ve confirmed your settings and initiated the domain creation process, AWS will begin provisioning the necessary resources for your Elasticsearch domain. This step involves the setup and deployment of your domain’s infrastructure, which can take anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes, though it may take longer depending on the complexity of your configuration and the resources required.
During this period, AWS will automatically allocate resources such as compute instances, storage volumes, and networking configurations based on the settings you’ve specified earlier. The system will handle these tasks in the background, ensuring that your Elasticsearch environment is correctly configured and optimized for your needs.
You can monitor the progress of the domain creation process through the AWS Management Console. The status of the domain will be displayed, allowing you to track whether the setup is progressing smoothly. AWS provides real-time updates on the status, and once the domain is successfully created, you will be given an endpoint URL. This endpoint will serve as the access point to your Elasticsearch cluster, enabling you to start indexing, searching, and analyzing your data.
Setting up an Elasticsearch domain on AWS is a relatively straightforward process that involves selecting the appropriate configurations, setting up access controls, and reviewing your final setup before confirming the creation. By carefully following each of the steps, you ensure that your Elasticsearch domain is configured to meet your specific use case, whether it’s for development, testing, or production workloads.
AWS provides powerful flexibility and scalability for managing Elasticsearch domains, making it an ideal solution for handling a wide range of search, analytics, and data visualization tasks. Once your domain is live and accessible via the endpoint URL, you can begin leveraging its full capabilities, from searching large datasets to performing real-time analytics on structured and unstructured data.
Uploading and Indexing Data in Elasticsearch
Once your domain is ready, the next step is to upload data for indexing. This can be done via various tools such as curl, Postman, or even directly from the AWS ES Dev Console. Here’s how you can add documents for indexing:
Adding a Document to an Index
You can use the PUT command to create an index and add a document to it. For instance, the following example uses curl to create an index called “vegetables” and add a carrot document to it:
PUT /vegetables/_doc/1
{
“name”: “carrot”,
“color”: “orange”
}
In this example, the document with ID 1 is added under the “vegetables” index. The PUT command is used when you want to specify an ID.
Creating Documents with Auto-generated IDs
If you don’t want to provide an ID for a document, you can use the POST method, and Elasticsearch will automatically generate an ID for you. For example:
POST /veggies/_doc
{
“name”: “beet”,
“color”: “red”,
“classification”: “root”
}
This command creates an index named “veggies” and adds the document without needing a specific ID.
Updating an Existing Document
To update an existing document, use POST with the document ID. For instance:
POST /veggies/_doc/42
{
“name”: “sugar-beet”,
“color”: “red”,
“classification”: “bark”
}
This command updates the document with ID 42. If the document doesn’t exist, Elasticsearch will create it for you with the provided data.
Performing Bulk Uploads
For bulk data uploads, you can use the _bulk API. This allows you to send multiple actions (such as creating, updating, and deleting documents) in a single request, which speeds up operations significantly. The format is:
POST /_bulk
{ “action”: “index”, “_index”: “veggies”, “_id”: “1”, “_source”: {“name”: “carrot”, “color”: “orange”} }
{ “action”: “index”, “_index”: “veggies”, “_id”: “2”, “_source”: {“name”: “potato”, “color”: “brown”} }
This request adds multiple documents in a single batch.
Searching Documents Using Elasticsearch
Searching your indexed data is one of the most essential tasks in Elasticsearch. You can either use the command line or Kibana to perform searches.
Using the Command Line to Search
For example, if your domain is named movies and you’re searching for the document “mars,” you can use the following curl command:
curl -XGET -u ‘master-user:master-user-password’ ‘domain-endpoint/movies/_search?q=mars&pretty=true’
This command will search for the term “mars” in the movies index.
Searching in Kibana
Kibana is a powerful web interface for interacting with your Elasticsearch data. To search in Kibana:
- Go to the Kibana dashboard for your domain.
- Log in with your master user credentials.
- Configure an index pattern by going to Stack Management > Index Patterns and creating a new index pattern.
- In the Discover section of Kibana, enter your search term (e.g., “mars”) and hit enter to search across your indexed documents.
How to Permanently Remove an AWS Elasticsearch Domain Safely
Amazon OpenSearch Service, formerly known as Amazon Elasticsearch Service, allows users to manage and operate scalable search solutions. However, situations may arise where you need to remove an existing domain—whether for cost optimization, resource cleanup, or simply retiring an unused environment. This guide walks you through the complete process of deleting an Elasticsearch (OpenSearch) domain in AWS, while also highlighting crucial considerations to prevent accidental data loss.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Deleting an OpenSearch Domain in AWS
The process of deleting an Elasticsearch domain is straightforward, but irreversible. It’s essential to review all data retention and backup policies before executing the final step. Below is a detailed walkthrough to safely carry out the deletion of a domain using the AWS Management Console.
Step 1: Log into the AWS Management Console
Begin by accessing your AWS account credentials and logging into the AWS Management Console. This dashboard provides centralized access to all AWS services. Make sure that you are operating within the correct AWS region where the Elasticsearch domain was created. The region selector is located in the upper-right corner of the console.
Step 2: Access the Amazon OpenSearch Service Section
Once inside the console, use the search bar to find the Amazon OpenSearch Service (formerly Amazon Elasticsearch Service). Click on the service name to launch its dedicated dashboard. From here, you’ll manage all existing OpenSearch domains.
In the navigation pane, click on Domains to display a list of all currently active Elasticsearch domains in your account.
Step 3: Identify and Select the Target Domain
Carefully review the list of domains and locate the one you wish to delete. Consider double-checking the domain name, region, and other identifying information to ensure you’re not selecting the wrong domain.
Click on the domain name to view its detailed configuration and status information. This view provides an opportunity to confirm that the domain in question is indeed the one you want to remove.
Step 4: Initiate the Deletion Process
After confirming the correct domain, proceed by clicking the Actions dropdown located in the upper-right section of the domain details page. From the dropdown menu, select Delete domain.
You will be prompted with a confirmation window to ensure you understand the implications of this action. To proceed, you must confirm the deletion by typing the domain name or simply clicking the Delete the domain button, depending on the interface version.
Step 5: Acknowledge Data Loss and Confirm Deletion
Deleting an Elasticsearch domain is a destructive operation. Once the domain is deleted, all associated data, settings, mappings, and indices are permanently erased. AWS does not offer an automatic recovery mechanism for deleted domains.
Before confirming, make sure you have:
- Downloaded or exported important data from your domain
- Created manual backups of indices using snapshot repositories
- Verified that the domain is no longer needed for analytics or application-level queries
Once confirmed, AWS will begin the deletion process, which might take a few minutes. You can track the progress from the domain list page.
Critical Considerations Before Deleting an Elasticsearch Domain
Perform a Complete Data Backup
It is highly recommended to create snapshots of your domain’s data before initiating the deletion. Snapshots in OpenSearch can be stored in Amazon S3 buckets and later used to restore data to a new domain if needed.
Validate That Applications No Longer Depend on the Domain
Before you delete the domain, ensure that no live services or applications are actively querying the domain. Removing the domain without checking dependencies can cause application errors, failed requests, or service outages.
Review IAM Permissions and Access Logs
Examine access policies and AWS CloudTrail logs to determine who has been using the domain and for what purpose. This step helps confirm whether the domain is actively in use and assists in identifying any organizational stakeholders who should be consulted before deletion.
Managing Deleted Resources and Post-Deletion Tips
After the domain has been deleted, it will no longer appear in the ElastiSearch or OpenSearch Service dashboard. Any endpoints previously associated with the domain will return error responses. Additionally, any dashboards or data visualization tools linked to the domain will cease to function unless reconfigured to point to a new instance.
To rebuild a deleted domain, you will need to create a new one from scratch or use previously saved snapshots to restore data into a fresh OpenSearch cluster.
Streamlining Your AWS Journey with Exam Labs
For developers, engineers, and cloud professionals aiming to master AWS services like OpenSearch, Exam Labs is a valuable resource. Offering immersive training modules and certification preparation, Exam Labs equips learners with practical skills through real-world scenarios.
Whether you’re pursuing AWS certifications or enhancing your infrastructure management capabilities, training platforms like Exam Labs enable you to confidently manage services like ElastiCache, OpenSearch, and others within the AWS cloud ecosystem.
Removing an Elasticsearch domain is a serious administrative task that should be approached with caution. AWS provides the tools and interfaces to make the process seamless, but it does not protect against unintended data loss resulting from user error. Therefore, validating backups, confirming the absence of dependencies, and clearly documenting your process are essential best practices.
Conclusion
This AWS Elasticsearch tutorial has provided an overview of how to get started with Elasticsearch on AWS, from creating a domain to uploading, indexing, and searching documents. Additionally, we covered how to delete a domain when it’s no longer needed. With Elasticsearch’s scalability and integration with other AWS services, it’s a powerful tool for managing and analyzing large volumes of data efficiently.
By following these steps, you’re well on your way to mastering Elasticsearch on AWS. As you become more comfortable with these basics, you can explore advanced features such as index management, security configurations, and monitoring within AWS.