Launching a Simple EC2 Instance and Storing Data in S3

Launching compute resources and managing data storage are fundamental tasks in AWS cloud computing.

Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) and Simple Storage Service (S3) are cornerstone services providing scalable computing power and durable object storage, respectively.

Introduction to EC2 and S3

Amazon EC2 enables you to rent virtual servers where you can deploy applications, perform computations, or host websites. EC2 instances are highly configurable with various instance types optimized for different workloads.

Amazon S3 provides scalable, secure, and durable object storage for files, backups, multimedia, and more. S3 offers easy data access via RESTful APIs, the AWS console, or SDKs, enabling seamless integration with various applications.

Steps to Launch a Simple EC2 Instance

The process below outlines the essential steps to create and connect to a basic virtual server in the cloud.

1. Login to AWS Management Console: Navigate to the Amazon EC2 Dashboard.

2. Choose “Launch Instance”: Begin the instance creation wizard.

3. Select an Amazon Machine Image (AMI): Choose a pre-configured OS template such as Amazon Linux 2, Ubuntu, or Windows Server.

4. Choose Instance Type: Select an instance size suitable for your workload, for example, t3.micro which qualifies for the Free Tier.

5. Configure Instance: Modify network settings if needed; by default, the instance will launch in the default VPC and subnet.

6. Add Storage: Specify storage volumes. The default 8 GB General Purpose SSD is usually sufficient for basic use.

7. Add Tags: Optionally tag your instance for identification purposes.

8. Configure Security Group: Set firewall rules. Common practice includes allowing SSH (port 22) for Linux or RDP (port 3389) for Windows from trusted IPs.

9. Review and Launch: Verify your configuration and launch the instance. You will be prompted to create or select an existing key pair used for secure access.

10. Connect to Instance: Use the key pair with an SSH client or Remote Desktop to access the EC2 instance.

Storing Data in Amazon S3

Access the S3 Service: From the AWS Management Console, navigate to the S3 dashboard.

1. Create a Bucket: Click “Create bucket,” provide a globally unique bucket name, select a region, and configure options such as versioning or encryption if desired.

2. Data: Select the newly created bucket and choose “Upload” to add files or folders. You can drag and drop files or browse your local machine for data.

3. Set Permissions: Configure access permissions, typically keeping the bucket private, but you can set public access for specific use cases.

4. Manage Objects: Use S3 features such as lifecycle policies to automate data archival or deletion for cost management.