AWS: Launch Instance and Connect to AWS EC2 Ubuntu from Putty on Windows

AWS: Launch Instance and Connect to EC2 Ubuntu from Putty on Windows

In this article, we'll walk through the process of creating an Ubuntu server instance using Amazon Web Services (AWS) and connecting to it from a Windows computer using Putty. This guide assumes you have already signed up for a free tier account on AWS.

1. Access the AWS Management Console

Firstly, visit aws.amazon.com and log in to your AWS Management Console through the "My Account" section. This will bring you to the AWS landing page.

2. Launch an EC2 Instance

• Navigate to Services and select EC2.
• Click on Launch Instance.
• Choose the Ubuntu server from the available options. Ensure you select the free tier eligible t2.micro instance type.
• Click Next to proceed with the configuration.

3. Create a Key Pair

• Store your key securely, as AWS does not keep a copy. This key will be used for a secure connection.
• Download the .pem file. Save this file in a folder for easy access later. For instance, save it in C:\Users\YourUsername\AWS.

4. Configure Security Groups

After launching the instance:

• Navigate to the Security Groups in the EC2 console.
• Click on Inbound rules.
• Edit the default settings to allow SSH connections from Anywhere.
• Save these settings.

5. Connect to the Instance

Now, get ready to connect to your instance with Putty:

• Download Putty and Puttygen if you haven't already.
• Use Puttygen to convert your .pem file to a .ppk file:
  • Open Puttygen.
  • Load the .pem file.
  • Save the private key as a .ppk file.

6. Using Putty to Connect

• Open Putty.
• In the Host Name field, enter the public IP address of your EC2 instance.
• Navigate to SSH > Auth and browse for your .ppk file.
• Save the session for future use.
• Click Open to start the session.
• When prompted, log in with the username ubuntu.

You are now connected to your Ubuntu instance on AWS!

Keyword

• AWS
• EC2
• Ubuntu
• PEM file
• PPK file
• Putty
• SSH
• Security Group

FAQ

Q: What is the first step to access my AWS account?

A: Visit aws.amazon.com and log in through the "My Account" section to access the AWS Management Console.

Q: What instance type should I select for the free tier?

A: Select the t2.micro instance type, which is eligible for the free tier.

Q: What is a key pair and why do I need it?

A: A key pair consists of a .pem file used for secure SSH connections. AWS does not store your private key, so ensure you download and keep it secure.

Q: How do I configure my security group for SSH connections?

A: Edit the Inbound rules in your security group to allow SSH connections from Anywhere.

Q: I have a .pem file. How do I use it with Putty?

A: Convert your .pem file to a .ppk file using Puttygen, then load it in Putty under SSH > Auth.

Q: What is the default username to log in to an Ubuntu instance on AWS?

A: The default username is ubuntu.

This guide aims to simplify the process of setting up and connecting to an EC2 Ubuntu server instance for new users of AWS.