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To get started with Amazon EC2, launch a virtual server—called an instance—from the AWS Management Console, then connect to it only if your chosen tutorial requires access. For a first look at the launch process, use AWS’s no-connection tutorial; to log in and try the server, use its test-and-connect tutorial, which includes connection setup and stopping the instance.
What you need before launching an EC2 instance
- An AWS account and permission to create and manage EC2 resources.
- A chosen AWS Region. Instances and related resources are regional, and connection configuration can depend on the Region.
- A clear goal: launch a test instance without connecting, or launch one you intend to access.
- A cost check. Running instances can incur charges even while idle; Free Tier eligibility depends on account age, remaining benefits or credits, Region, and usage.
An EC2 instance is a virtual server in the AWS Cloud. It starts from an Amazon Machine Image (AMI), which provides the operating system and included software. The instance type determines the compute, memory, storage, and networking capacity. AWS’s first-instance tutorial is the simplest console-based introduction.
Choose the right first-instance path
| Goal | Use | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Learn how the launch wizard works without logging in to the server | Get started with Amazon EC2 | AWS states the tutorial takes 10 minutes. It intentionally launches without a key pair because the tutorial does not connect to the instance. |
| Launch a test server and log in | Launch and connect to a Linux instance | AWS states the tutorial takes 30 minutes and covers a key pair, connection, and stopping the instance. |
| Automate or script instance management | AWS Command Line Interface (AWS CLI) EC2 guide | Use documented CLI workflows rather than the visual launch wizard; this route is best when you are comfortable with command-line configuration. |
The tutorial times are AWS’s estimates, not guaranteed completion times. The console wizard is the clearest route for most first-time users.
Launch your first instance in the console
- Sign in and choose a Region. In the AWS Management Console, open the EC2 console and select the Region where you want the instance and its related resources.
- Start the launch wizard. Open Instances, choose Launch instances, and give the instance a recognizable name.
- Select an AMI. Choose an operating system image suited to your learning goal. An AMI determines the operating system and software included at launch.
- Review the instance type. The type sets the instance’s capacity profile. A tutorial’s suggested type is a starting point for learning, not a universal recommendation for other workloads.
- Choose whether to create or select a key pair. If you intend to connect using a key-based method, select or create a key pair and securely store its private key. If you are following AWS’s no-connection first-instance tutorial, follow its instructions not to use a key pair.
- Review network and storage settings. For a simple test, follow the tutorial’s settings, but understand which traffic is allowed before exposing the instance. For a real workload, deliberately configure the network, security group, storage, and capacity for the task.
- Check cost and launch. Review the selected Region, image, type, and settings, then choose Launch instance. Confirm the instance appears in the EC2 console and check its state before attempting any connection.
Connect only after choosing a method
The way you plan to connect determines the prerequisites you must configure. AWS documents SSH, EC2 Instance Connect, PuTTY, RDP, Fleet Manager, Session Manager, and EC2 Instance Connect Endpoint; supported operating systems, network reachability, inbound rules, IAM permissions, instance-role permissions, installed components, client software, and key-pair requirements vary by method. See AWS’s connection options before setting access rules.
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Linux access and key pairs
A key pair consists of a public key stored on the instance and a private key kept by you. Treat the private key as a credential: AWS warns that anyone who has it can connect to instances associated with that key pair. Restrict who can access the file and store it securely. Some connection methods do not use a key pair in the same way, so check the requirements for your selected method.
Security groups and network access
A security group acts as a network firewall for an instance. Permit only the traffic needed for the chosen connection method and only from an appropriate source. Do not treat broad public SSH or RDP access as a universal beginner default. For example, AWS’s EC2 Instance Connect tutorial specifies IAM permission and an inbound rule for traffic from the EC2 Instance Connect service; other connection paths have different prerequisites.
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Stop or terminate the test instance when finished
For a temporary server, decide whether you need to preserve it. Stopping an instance ends its running state but retains it for later use; terminating it removes the instance and is the appropriate choice when you are done with it. Review AWS’s guidance on stopping and starting instances and terminating instances before taking action, particularly if you have data you need to keep. Check the console afterward to confirm the state you intended.
Understand Free Tier and billing before you launch
Do not assume an EC2 instance is free. AWS says instances can incur charges while in the running state, even if idle. Its current tutorial describes different Free Tier cohorts based on account creation date: accounts created before July 15, 2025, if less than 12 months old, and accounts created on or after July 15, 2025, if less than six months old and with credits remaining. These conditions are time-sensitive and do not guarantee that a particular launch is free. Check your account’s Free Tier and billing screens and current EC2 pricing for the Region and resources you plan to use.
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When to move beyond tutorial defaults
A launch tutorial is for learning the workflow, not a production design. Before using an instance for a real task, select an instance type for the workload and intentionally review the network, security group, storage, access method, and permissions. AWS’s EC2 getting-started material and launch-instance guidance explain the settings available in the wizard.
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