Atlas - MongoDB in the Cloud

The Blueprint

We could be installing a MongoDB server on our machines, but that’s the old-school way of doing things.

Let’s provision a FREE managed cluster in the cloud using MongoDB Atlas.

Phase 1: Account Creation

1. Navigate to the MongoDB Atlas Registration Page.
2. Sign up. (Use an email address you have access to long-term).
3. Verify your email. You can’t enter the facility without verified ID.

Phase 2: Building the Cluster

Once logged in, you’ll be dropped into a “Project.” Think of a Project as a job site.

1. Click Create a Cluster.
2. Select Free (The FREE option - formerly labeled M0 / Sandbox).
   • Do not select Flex or M10 unless you want to burn money.
3. Cluster Name:
   • Default is Cluster0. We can rename it to Node2Know-Vault if we’re feeling fancy, but Cluster0 is fine.
4. Cloud Provider & Region:
   • Pick AWS.
   • Pick the region closest to us - e.g., Oregon (us-west-2).
     • Latency matters. Don’t build the vault on the moon.
5. • Keep both the sample data and security setup checkboxes checked.
6. Click Create Deployment

Professor Solo says

Be patient: It will take 3-5 minutes for the cluster to be provisioned.

We can continue with the next steps while we wait.

Visual Verification

We should now see a Set up connection security modal.

It will look something like this:

Fig 1: MongoDB Atlas Set up connection security modal.

Hang tight, we’ll deal with the security settings in the next step.

DO NOT click the Choose a Connection Method button yet!

⏭ Security Protocols

Creating the keys to the kingdom (Database Users) and opening the blast doors (Network Access).