Microsoft Windows Server is designed for the Windows computing environment and for building an infrastructure of connected applications, networks, and web services. An EC2 instance is a virtual server that you can rent from Amazon Web Services (AWS) to run your applications on the cloud. To Create Microsoft Windows Server EC2 Instance follow the steps. Note: Make sure you Sign into AWS Management Console
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open AWS Management Console
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To create EC2 Instance with Windows Server Base AMI, Key Pair, Security Group, click Services
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Click Compute
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Click EC2
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Click Instances
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Click Launch instances
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Type the Name for your Windows server and click Next to continue. e.g. My Win Server
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Select Windows server AMI and click Next to continue.
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Click and choose AMI for Windows Server OS as required. Click Next to continue.
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Click and select suitable size for VM and click Next to continue.
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To create a key pair, click on "Create new key pair"
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Enter name for the key pair and click Next to continue. Ex WindowsKey
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Select "RSA" and click Next to continue. # Key pair type Amazon EC2 supports ED25519 and RSA key pair types. ED25519 keys are not supported for Windows instances. So we need to choose RSA only.
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For Private key file format select ".pem" and click Next to continue. # Private key file format The file format defines the format of the private key that you will be prompted to download when you create the key pair. If you use OpenSSH to connect to your instance, you must save the key in the .pem format. If you use PuTTY to connect to your instance, you must save the key in the .ppk format.
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Click "Create key pair". The Key will be downloaded into your system
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To Configure networking options, including VPC, subnet, security groups, and other advanced settings, Click "Edit"
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Click and Select your VPC (ex: Default VPC). Click Next to continue.
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Click and Select any subnet (Availability Zone) or Leave it as “No Preference”. Note: The subnet is the location where your network interface is located. Click Next to continue.
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Select Enable for Public Access or Select Disable for Private Access. Click Next to continue. # Auto-assign public IP If Enabled, A public IP address is automatically assigned to the primary network interface of this instance.
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Click “Create new Security Group” to create new security group with Type RDP and Anywhere (or) Select “Existing Security Group” If you have existing Security Group with Protocol Type RDP added. Click Next to continue. # Security Group A security group is a set of firewall rules that control the traffic for your instance. Add rules to allow specific traffic to reach your instance.
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Type Name for Security group and click Next to continue. Ex. MyWebServerGroup
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Make Sure to select RDP as Type and Anywhere as Source Type and click Next to continue.
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Click Launch instance
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Click View all instances
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Search for your instance from the below list and wait till your Instance Status shows "Running" and status check is "2/2". Click Refresh to verify the status. **Once your Instance passed the status check, click on the checkbox against your newly created EC2 instance and Click Next to continue**
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To access your windows instance, you need RDP file and Password. To get it, Click "Connect"
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Click RDP client. # RDP Amazon EC2 instances created from most Windows Amazon Machine Images (AMIs) enable you to connect using Remote Desktop. Remote Desktop uses the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and enables you to connect to and use your instance in the same way you use a computer sitting in front of you.
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Click Connect using RDP client and click Next to continue.
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Click Download remote desktop file. # RDP File Download The RDP File will be downloaded into your System. You can connect to your Windows instance using a remote desktop client of your choice, and by downloading and running the RDP shortcut file.
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Copy the Public DNS and save it in Notepad for future reference. Click Next to continue.
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Click Get password. It is System Generated password based on your Key Pair
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Click Upload private key file. Search and Select your “.pem” key file, which is already downloaded in your PC [downloaded during Create Key Pair Step] Click Next to continue.
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Click Decrypt password
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Copy the Password and save it for future reference.
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To Connect to your Windows Server instance, use the following details: Copy the following details into Notepad: 1. Public DNS 2. User name: Administrator 3. Password # To Connect Windows Server Instance. Open Downloaded RDP File. Paste the Password in Dialogue Box(for user Authentication). Click Open Click Next to continue.
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Click Cancel to Return to the EC2 - AWS Console
