Open the EC2 Console
Sign in to the AWS Management Console, open the Amazon EC2 service, and select the AWS Region where you want to create your instance.
AWS EC2 Practical Tutorial
How to Launch an EC2 Instance
Learn how to launch and configure an Amazon EC2 instance step by step. Understand AMIs, instance types, key pairs, VPCs, subnets, security groups, storage, and how to connect to your virtual server.
Level: Beginner
Service: Amazon EC2
EC2 Launch Workflow
Create Your First Virtual Server
Select an Amazon Machine Image
Choose an EC2 Instance Type
Configure Network and Security
Configure Storage
Launch and Connect
Introduction
What happens when you launch an EC2 instance?
An Amazon EC2 instance is a virtual server running in the AWS Cloud. When you launch an instance, you select an Amazon Machine Image, compute capacity, networking configuration, storage, and access settings.
The EC2 launch wizard allows you to configure these resources before creating the virtual server. Once launched, the instance moves through its startup state and eventually becomes available for supported connection methods.
This tutorial focuses on understanding each major configuration step so you can launch an EC2 instance with confidence.
Step-by-Step Guide
How to launch an Amazon EC2 instance
Follow these steps to understand the typical EC2 instance launch process from selecting an image to connecting to the server.
Choose Launch Instance
From the EC2 dashboard, select Launch instance to open the instance configuration wizard.
Add a Name and Tags
Give your instance a descriptive name and add tags to help identify and organize your AWS resources.
Select an AMI
Choose an Amazon Machine Image that provides the operating system and initial software environment for your virtual server.
Choose an Instance Type
Select an EC2 instance type based on the CPU, memory, networking, and workload requirements of your application.
Create or Select a Key Pair
Choose an existing key pair or create a new one if you need a supported key-based method to connect to your instance.
Configure Networking
Select the VPC, subnet, public IP settings, and security group rules required for your workload.
Configure Storage
Review the root volume and add or modify storage volumes based on your application requirements.
Review and Launch
Review the instance configuration, verify the selected resources, and launch the EC2 instance.
Connect to the Instance
After the instance is running and passes its status checks, connect using an appropriate method for the operating system and network configuration.
EC2 Configuration
Understand the main EC2 launch settings
Each configuration option affects how your virtual server runs, connects to networks, stores data, and receives traffic.
Amazon Machine Image
An AMI is a template used to launch an EC2 instance. It provides the operating system and can include additional software and configuration.
Instance Type
The instance type determines the compute capacity, memory, networking performance, and other hardware characteristics available to the virtual server.
Key Pair
A key pair is used for supported authentication methods when connecting to an EC2 instance.
Security Group
A security group controls inbound and outbound network traffic for your EC2 instance.
VPC and Subnet
The VPC provides the virtual network, while the subnet determines where the EC2 instance is placed within that network.
EBS Storage
Amazon EBS volumes provide persistent block storage that can be attached to EC2 instances.
Architecture
Where does your EC2 instance run?
An EC2 instance is launched into a virtual network environment. The VPC provides network isolation, while the selected subnet determines the network location for the instance.
Security groups control the network traffic allowed to reach the instance and the traffic that the instance can send.
Simplified EC2 Architecture
AWS Account
│
▼
┌───────────────────────────┐
│ VPC │
│ │
│ ┌───────────────────┐ │
│ │ Subnet │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ ┌───────────┐ │ │
│ │ │ EC2 │ │ │
│ │ │ Instance │ │ │
│ │ └───────────┘ │ │
│ │ │ │ │
│ │ ▼ │ │
│ │ Security Group │ │
│ └───────────────────┘ │
└───────────────────────────┘Connect to Your Instance
Access your EC2 virtual server
After your instance is running, the connection method depends on the operating system, network configuration, and authentication options you selected.
EC2 Instance Connect
A supported browser-based connection method that can be used for compatible instances and operating systems.
SSH
A common method for connecting to Linux instances when network access and authentication are correctly configured.
RDP
A remote desktop connection method commonly used to connect to supported Windows instances.
AWS CLI Example
# Launch an EC2 instance aws ec2 run-instances \ --image-id ami-xxxxxxxx \ --count 1 \ --instance-type t2.micro \ --key-name MyKeyPair \ --security-group-ids sg-xxxxxxxx \ --subnet-id subnet-xxxxxxxx # List EC2 instances aws ec2 describe-instances # Start an instance aws ec2 start-instances \ --instance-ids i-xxxxxxxx # Stop an instance aws ec2 stop-instances \ --instance-ids i-xxxxxxxx
AWS CLI
Launch EC2 instances from the command line
AWS CLI can be used to automate EC2 instance creation and management. This is useful when creating repeatable deployment workflows and infrastructure automation.
Before running automation commands, ensure that you use the correct AMI, networking resources, security groups, permissions, and other configuration values for your environment.
Best Practices
Launch EC2 instances securely and efficiently
Choose the Correct Region
Select an AWS Region based on application requirements, service availability, latency, compliance, and architecture needs.
Use Descriptive Tags
Apply consistent tags for names, environments, applications, teams, and cost management.
Restrict Network Access
Configure security groups carefully and avoid exposing administrative ports to unnecessary public networks.
Use IAM Roles
Use IAM roles for applications that need access to AWS services instead of placing long-term credentials directly on the server.
Monitor Your Instance
Monitor instance health, performance, logs, and resource utilization to identify operational issues.
Stop or Terminate Unused Resources
Review unused resources and take the appropriate action to avoid unnecessary costs.
What You Will Learn
Build your Amazon EC2 foundation
Launch EC2 Instances
Understand the complete workflow for creating and launching an Amazon EC2 virtual server.
Configure Compute Resources
Learn how AMIs, instance types, storage, networking, and security settings work together.
Manage Network Access
Understand VPCs, subnets, public connectivity, and security groups for EC2 workloads.
Connect and Manage Servers
Learn the basic concepts required to connect to, monitor, stop, start, and manage EC2 instances.
Continue Learning
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AWS for Beginners
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🌐AWS VPC
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Next Step
Continue your AWS cloud journey
You now understand how an Amazon EC2 instance is configured and launched. Continue learning AWS compute, storage, networking, identity, security, and cloud architecture.