Tag: AWS EC2

Launch an EC2 instance and Connect

This assumes you have left the default VPC in place or that you have created your own VPC with a public network. Also, be sure to select the region you want to create a EC2 instance.

To launch an EC2 instance

  • Sign in to the AWS Management Console
    • Choose the region you wish to launch
  • Choose EC2 Dashboard, and then choose Launch instance
  • Choose the Amazon Linux 2 AMI
  • Chose the t2.micro instance type (free tier)
  • Click next to configure instance details
    • Network: Choose the VPC with a public subnet (either default VPC or one you’ve created)
    • Subnet: Choose an existing public subnet
    • Auto-assign Public IP: Choose Enable
  • Choose next to configure storage
    • Keep the defaults and add a tag of your choosing:
      • example: Key = “Name” and Value = “Test Server”
  • Choose next to configure Security Group (or if you have already created a security group to allow SSH, then choose existing security group)
    • Keep the defaults for SSH connectivity (except change source by clicking the down arrow and choosing My IP, unless you want it open to the public then 0.0.0.0/0 will work just great)
  • Click Review and Launch
  • On the Review Instance Launch page, shown following, verify your settings and then choose Launch
  • Select an existing key pair or create a new key pair page
    • To Create a new key pair and set Key pair name to any name you would like: for example, “TestKey” or perhaps “EC2Key”. Be very sure to Choose Download Key Pair (you will be using this key for connectivity potentially for all of your AWS exercises) , and then save the key pair file on your local machine. You use this key pair file to connect to your EC2 instance.
  • To launch your EC2 instance, choose Launch Instances
  • Choose View Instances to find your instance.
  • Wait until Instance Status for your instance reads as Running

To Connect into your EC2 instance:
Goto Amazon’s EC2 connect guide as they have a great documentation on your choices of how to connect into an EC2 instance.

UPDATE YOUR EC2 INSTANCE

Once connected, run a linux update

sudo yum update -y

There ya go, launched and updated an AWS virtual server in just a few minutes

Next Steps

Perhaps you would like to Create a Web Server, if so ahead and go to the next module.


Caution: It is a good idea to remove an EC2 instance when you are finished with the instance, so as not to incur costs for leaving an EC2 running.

Launch an EC2 instance and Connect

This assumes you have left the default VPC in place or that you have created your own VPC with a public network. Also, be sure to select the region you want to create a EC2 instance before launching new EC2 instance.

Note: EC2 free tier accounts: only the t2.micro is free (and only if you use it for less than hours per month)

To launch an EC2 instance

  • Sign in to the AWS Management Console
    • Choose the region you wish to launch
  • Choose EC2 Dashboard, and then choose Launch instance
  • Choose the Amazon Linux 2 AMI
  • Chose the t2.micro instance type (free tier)
  • Click next to configure instance details
    • Network: Choose the VPC with a public subnet (either default VPC or one you’ve created)
    • Subnet: Choose an existing public subnet
    • Auto-assign Public IP: Choose Enable
  • Choose next to configure storage
    • Keep the defaults and add a tag of your choosing:
      • example: Key = “Name” and Value = “Test Server”
  • Choose next to configure Security Group (or if you have already created a security group to allow SSH, then choose existing security group)
    • Keep the defaults for SSH connectivity (except change source by clicking the down arrow and choosing My IP, unless you want it open to the public then 0.0.0.0/0 will work just great)
  • Click Review and Launch
  • On the Review Instance Launch page, shown following, verify your settings and then choose Launch
  • Select an existing key pair or create a new key pair page
    • To Create a new key pair and set Key pair name to any name you would like: for example, “TestKey” or perhaps “EC2Key”. Be very sure to Choose Download Key Pair (you will be using this key for connectivity potentially for all of your AWS exercises) , and then save the key pair file on your local machine. You use this key pair file to connect to your EC2 instance.
  • To launch your EC2 instance, choose Launch Instances
  • Choose View Instances to find your instance.
  • Wait until Instance Status for your instance reads as Running

To Connect into your EC2 instance:
Goto Amazon’s EC2 connect guide as they have a great explanation of your choices to connect into an EC2 instance.

UPDATE YOUR EC2 INSTANCE

Once connected, run a linux update

sudo yum update -y

There ya go, launched and updated an AWS virtual server in just a few minutes

Next Steps

Perhaps you would like to Create a Web Server, if so ahead and go to the next module.


Caution: It is a good idea to remove an EC2 instance when you are finished with the instance, so as not to incur costs for leaving an EC2 running.

It goes without saying, but it has to be said anyway. This is not for production!

All public websites should have some type of application firewall in between the Web Server and its internet connection!

As well it should be monitored and have event and incident management in place. The list of things that will make a better architecture for a web site continues! However, enough said at this time!