How to Create an EC2 Instance on AWS (Beginner Guide)

Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) is a web service that provides secure and resizable compute capacity in the cloud. It allows developers to run virtual servers on AWS infrastructure without managing physical hardware.

Before creating an EC2 instance, make sure you have:

• An AWS account
• Basic knowledge of cloud computing
• A web browser and internet connection

1. Go to https://aws.amazon.com
2. Click Sign in to the Console
3. Enter your AWS credentials

1. Open the EC2 Dashboard
2. Click Launch Instance
3. Enter a name for your instance

Select an operating system for your instance such as:

• Amazon Linux
• Ubuntu (preferred)
• Windows Server

Select the instance type (e.g., t2.micro or t3.micro).

The Free Tier eligible instance is recommended for beginners.

1. Create a new key pair or use an existing one
2. Download the .pem file
3. Keep it secure (you’ll need it to connect via SSH)

Add inbound rules to allow traffic:

• SSH (port 22)
• HTTP (port 80)
• HTTPS (port 443)

Review the settings and click Launch Instance.

Your virtual server will start in a few seconds

Use SSH to connect:

You have successfully created and launched an EC2 instance on AWS. You can now install software, host websites, or run applications on your cloud server.