What is EC2 instance?
A virtual server in Amazon's Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) for running applications on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure is known as an Amazon EC2 instance. AWS is a comprehensive and ever-evolving cloud computing platform; EC2 is a service that allows business subscribers to run application programs in a computing environment. It can serve as a virtually limitless number of virtual machines (VMs).
To meet the needs of users, Amazon offers a variety of instances with varying configurations of CPU, memory, storage, and networking resources. Each type is available in a variety of sizes to meet the needs of different workloads.
Amazon Machine Images are used to create instances (AMI). The machine images function as templates. They are pre-installed with an operating system (OS) and other software that determines the user's operating environment. Users can choose an AMI from AWS, the user community, or the AWS Marketplace. Users can also create and share their own AMIs.
How does Amazon EC2 Work?
It is not difficult to get started with Amazon EC2. You have a choice of pre-configured, templated Amazon Machine Images for a quick launch (AMI). If it's more convenient for you, you can create your own AMI with all of your libraries, data, programs, and relevant configuration settings. Amazon EC2 allows you to customize settings by managing security and network access. Because you can rapidly expand your VM environment to meet utilization spikes or dips, you have control over how many resources are being used at any given time. The service's elasticity facilitates the lower costs of a "pay-what-you-use" payment method.
What’s An AMI ?
AMI is an abbreviation for Amazon Machine Image.
If you've worked with older computers or even physical servers, you're probably aware of the need to update or install the same stack on more than three devices. This is accomplished by using tools such as Norton Ghost or Acronis True Image to create disc snapshots, which allow you to take a snapshot of the current state of the disc and load it on other devices in less time than if you did it manually
An AMI works on the same principle, but it is made up of multiple snapshots. This means that if the instance has more than one disc, the AMI will include the additional discs.
There are other AMIs on the market with preinstalled software such as LAMP and LEMP stacks, Redis optimized or hardened software to help you launch your new instances. But be careful, my friend, because some of those marketplace AMI are not only smiled, but they also charge you a fee per hour to use it (plus the cost per hour of the instance). So, if you want to select an AMI from the AWS Marketplace, look at the pricing.
Steps To Connect Amazon Windows EC2 Instance
- Step 1
First, select the Windows instance from the EC2 dashboard's Running Instances section and click Connect
- Step 2
Here, we must select the RDP (Remote desktop protocol) Client, then Download the RDP File and save it somewhere safe. We will also need a password to access the RDP file, so click Get Password.
- Step 3
At this stage of the launch, we must upload the Key-pair (the key which we have created in the earlier step). Click Browse, then select the key, and finally click Decrypt Password. This gives us a workable password.
- Step 4
After submitting the Key-Pair, the Password will be generated; copy and save it somewhere safe.
- Step 5
Now, open the Remote Desktop File from your downloads to start the Windows instance. If your local computer is a Mac, you must first download "Microsoft Remote Desktop" from the App Store before you can open your RDP file.
- Step 6
After you've opened the RDP file, click Connect to launch the Window instance.
- Step 7
Here we must provide the credentials for accessing the instance, so enter the password copied in step 4 and click OK.
- Step 8
Click on Yes.
- Step 9
So now that we have successfully connected to an Amazon Windows Instance, we can perform all of the operations and tasks that we would normally perform on the Windows operating.