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Deploying the No-Code Architects Toolkit API on a Contabo VPS with MinIO

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Deploying No-Code Architects Toolkit API on Contabo VPS with MinIO

The No-Code Architects Toolkit API is a free, open-source solution for media processing, automation, and cloud storage integration. By deploying it on a Contabo VPS with MinIO as an S3-compatible object storage, you can create a cost-effective, self-hosted environment. Contabo’s affordable VPS plans, featuring NVMe SSDs and global data centers, are ideal for this Flask-based Python API. This guide walks you through setting up MinIO and the toolkit, designed for users with basic Linux and Docker skills.

Prerequisites

  • Contabo VPS: At least 4 vCPUs, 8 GB RAM, 200 GB SSD (e.g., VPS M at ~€7.99/month).
  • Domain name (optional, for custom API access).
  • SSH client (e.g., PuTTY, Terminal).
  • Basic Linux and Docker knowledge.
  • GitHub account for repository access.
  • API key for toolkit authentication.

Step 1: Set Up Your Contabo VPS

1.1 Purchase and Configure

  1. Visit contabo and select a VPS plan (e.g., VPS M).
  2. Choose a data center (Europe, US, Asia) and Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.
  3. Save the emailed VPS IP, root username, and password.
  4. Log in to the Contabo Customer Control Panel and set a hostname (e.g., nca-toolkit-vps).

1.2 Connect and Secure

  1. SSH into your VPS: 
 ssh root@YOUR_VPS_IP
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  1. Update packages: 
 sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y
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  1. Create a non-root user: 
 adduser nca-user usermod -aG sudo nca-user
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  1. Reconnect as nca-user: 
 ssh nca-user@YOUR_VPS_IP
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Step 2: Install Docker and Dependencies

  1. Install Docker and Docker Compose: 
 sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install -y docker.io docker-compose
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  1. Start and enable Docker: 
 sudo systemctl start docker sudo systemctl enable docker
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  1. Add user to Docker group: 
 sudo usermod -aG docker nca-user
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Log out and back in.

  1. Verify Docker: 
 docker --version docker run hello-world
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  1. Install Git: 
 sudo apt-get install -y git
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Step 3: Install and Configure MinIO

MinIO provides S3-compatible storage for the toolkit.

  1. Create a data directory: 
 mkdir -p ~/minio-data
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  1. Run MinIO: 
 docker run -d -p 9000:9000 -p 9001:9001 --name minio \ -v ~/minio-data:/data \ -e MINIO_ROOT_USER=admin \ -e MINIO_ROOT_PASSWORD=password123 \ quay.io/minio/minio server /data --console-address ":9001"
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Use a secure password instead of password123.

  1. Verify MinIO:

    • Check container: 
     docker ps
  • Access console at http://YOUR_VPS_IP:9001 (username: admin, password: password123).
    1. Configure MinIO:
  • Create a bucket named nca-toolkit.
  • Generate access and secret keys:
    • Navigate to Users > Create User.
    • Save the Access Key and Secret Key (or use admin/password123 for testing).
      1. Open ports: 
 sudo ufw allow 9000 sudo ufw allow 9001
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Step 4: Clone the Repository

  1. Clone the toolkit: 
 cd ~ git clone https://github.com/stephengpope/no-code-architects-toolkit.git cd no-code-architects-toolkit
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  1. Key files:
    • Dockerfile: Builds the image.
    • app.py: Flask app.
    • requirements.txt: Dependencies.

Step 5: Configure Environment Variables

  1. Generate an API key: 
 openssl rand -hex 16
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Save as your_api_key.

  1. Set variables for MinIO:
    • S3_ENDPOINT_URL: http://YOUR_VPS_IP:9000
    • S3_ACCESS_KEY: MinIO access key
    • S3_SECRET_KEY: MinIO secret key
    • S3_BUCKET_NAME: nca-toolkit
    • S3_REGION: None
    • Optional: MAX_QUEUE_LENGTH=10, GUNICORN_WORKERS=4, GUNICORN_TIMEOUT=300, LOCAL_STORAGE_PATH=/tmp
  2. Create .env (optional): 
 nano .env
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Add:

 API_KEY=your_api_key S3_ENDPOINT_URL=http://YOUR_VPS_IP:9000 S3_ACCESS_KEY=your_access_key S3_SECRET_KEY=your_secret_key S3_BUCKET_NAME=nca-toolkit S3_REGION=None LOCAL_STORAGE_PATH=/tmp MAX_QUEUE_LENGTH=10 GUNICORN_WORKERS=4 GUNICORN_TIMEOUT=300
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Save and exit.

Step 6: Build and Run the Toolkit

  1. Build the image: 
 docker build -t no-code-architects-toolkit .
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  1. Run the container: 
 docker run -d -p 8080:8080 --name nca-toolkit \ -e API_KEY=your_api_key \ -e S3_ENDPOINT_URL=http://YOUR_VPS_IP:9000 \ -e S3_ACCESS_KEY=your_access_key \ -e S3_SECRET_KEY=your_secret_key \ -e S3_BUCKET_NAME=nca-toolkit \ -e S3_REGION=None \ -e LOCAL_STORAGE_PATH=/tmp \ -e MAX_QUEUE_LENGTH=10 \ -e GUNICORN_WORKERS=4 \ -e GUNICORN_TIMEOUT=300 \ stephengpope/no-code-architects-toolkit:latest
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  1. Verify: 
 docker ps docker logs nca-toolkit
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  1. Open port: 
 sudo ufw allow 8080
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Step 8: Configure Domain and SSL (Optional)

  1. Point domain to YOUR_VPS_IP via DNS A record.
  2. Install Nginx: 
 sudo apt-get install -y nginx
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Configure:

 sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/nca-toolkit
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Add:

 server { listen 80; server_name your_domain.com; location / { proxy_pass http://localhost:8080; proxy_set_header Host $host; proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr; } }
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Enable:

 sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/nca-toolkit /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/ sudo nginx -t sudo systemctl restart nginx
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  1. Add SSL: 
 sudo apt install -y certbot python3-certbot-nginx sudo certbot --nginx -d your_domain.com
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  1. Test: https://your_domain.com/v1/toolkit/test.

Step 9: Optimize and Maintain

  1. Performance: Monitor with htop or glances: 
 sudo apt install -y htop glances
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  1. Backups: Use Contabo snapshots or toolkit’s /v1/s3/upload.
  2. Security:
    • Update: sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y.
    • Restrict SSH: sudo ufw allow from YOUR_IP to any port 22.
  3. Monitoring: Use Contabo’s API or Prometheus.

Step 10: Join the Community

Join the No-Code Architects Community for support, courses, and networking. Contribute via GitHub by forking and submitting pull requests to the build branch.

Conclusion

Deploying the No-Code Architects Toolkit API on a Contabo VPS with MinIO offers a scalable, self-hosted solution for media processing. Contabo’s cost-effective VPS and MinIO’s S3 compatibility make it ideal for businesses and creators. Set up in under an hour, optimize with Nginx/SSL, and leverage the community for support. Start building with this free API today!

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