I still remember the first time I set up a cloud server on AWS EC2. Honestly, I was a bit nervous – all those dashboards, options, and settings looked overwhelming. But once I followed a clear process, I realized it’s not as complicated as it seems.
If you’re like me, curious about the cloud but unsure where to start, let me walk you through how I set up my first AWS EC2 server step by step. By the end, you’ll have your own running server in the cloud – and trust me, it feels amazing! 🚀 – techknowledge.in
What is AWS EC2 in Simple Words?
Think of AWS EC2 as renting a computer in the cloud. Instead of buying hardware, you get a virtual machine that you can turn on, configure, and use whenever you want. You only pay for what you use – like electricity.
I used it to host a small test website, but you can also run apps, databases, or even learning projects.
Step-by-Step Setup
1. Sign Up for AWS
Go to AWS, create an account, and use your card (don’t worry – AWS free tier gives you enough credits to try things safely).
2. Open EC2 Dashboard
Once logged in, search for EC2. This is where your servers live.
3. Launch a New Instance
- Click Launch Instance
- Pick an Amazon Machine Image (AMI) – I usually go with Ubuntu because it’s simple and well-documented.
4. Select Instance Type
- Choose t2.micro – it’s part of free tier and perfect for beginners.
5. Create a Key Pair
Download the .pem key – this is like your house key 🔑 to enter the server. Keep it safe.
6. Configure Security Group
Think of this as your firewall. Allow only what you need:
- SSH (22) for Linux
- HTTP (80) & HTTPS (443) if you’re hosting a website
7. Launch and Connect
Click Launch and wait for AWS to spin up your server.
To connect:
ssh -i your-key.pem ubuntu@your-public-ip
8. Install Software
I remember the excitement when I typed this:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install apache2 -y
Opened the public IP in the browser – and boom! My first live cloud page appeared.
Why I Liked This Process
- It made me feel in control – I wasn’t limited by shared hosting.
- I could customize everything.
- And most importantly, I could finally say: “Yes, I have my own cloud server!”
- If you want to understand more about what a cloud server actually means, its different types, and how it compares to VPS or dedicated hosting, check out my detailed guide: “Cloud Server Explained: What It Is, Its Types, and Why It Matters in 2025”.
FAQs
Q1. Is AWS EC2 free?
Yes, the free tier lets you use t2.micro instance for 750 hours/month for 12 months. After that, you’ll pay a small hourly cost.
Q2. What’s the difference between EC2 and shared hosting?
Shared hosting is limited – you can’t change much. EC2 is like having your own computer in the cloud with full control.
Q3. Do I need to know Linux commands?
Basic commands help, but don’t worry – you can learn as you go. That’s exactly how I started.
Q4. Can I run Windows on EC2?
Yes! Just select a Windows Server AMI instead of Ubuntu.
