Creating an AWS account - Step-by-Step CLI Walkthrough

Introduction

Creating an AWS account lets you use Amazon's cloud services. It solves the problem of needing a place to run websites, store files, or use computing power without buying your own servers.

When you want to start using cloud services like storage or virtual servers.

When you need a secure place to host your website or application.

When you want to try out AWS tools for learning or development.

When your company wants to move its IT resources to the cloud.

When you want to manage resources and pay only for what you use.

Commands

This command sets up your AWS CLI with your access key, secret key, region, and output format so you can use AWS services from your computer.

Terminal

aws configure

Expected Output

AWS Access Key ID [None]: AKIAIOSFODNN7EXAMPLE

AWS Secret Access Key [None]: wJalrXUtnFEMI/K7MDENG/bPxRfiCYEXAMPLEKEY

Default region name [None]: us-east-1

Default output format [None]: json

This command checks which AWS account and user you are currently authenticated as, confirming your setup is correct.

Terminal

aws sts get-caller-identity

Expected Output

{

    "UserId": "AIDAEXAMPLEUSERID",

    "Account": "123456789012",

    "Arn": "arn:aws:iam::123456789012:user/example-user"

}

Key Concept

If you remember nothing else, remember: You must create an AWS account on the website first, then configure your local AWS CLI with your credentials to use AWS services.

Common Mistakes

Trying to use AWS CLI commands before creating an AWS account and getting credentials.

Without an account and credentials, AWS CLI cannot authenticate and will fail.

First create an AWS account on aws.amazon.com, then generate access keys in the IAM console, and finally run 'aws configure' with those keys.

Entering wrong or incomplete credentials during 'aws configure'.

Incorrect credentials cause authentication errors and prevent access to AWS services.

Carefully copy and paste the access key ID and secret access key exactly as provided.

Summary

Create an AWS account on the AWS website to get access credentials.

Use 'aws configure' to set up your AWS CLI with your access key, secret key, region, and output format.

Verify your setup with 'aws sts get-caller-identity' to confirm your identity and account.

Practice

1. What is the very first step to start using AWS cloud services?

easy

A. Write code to launch an AWS server

B. Call AWS support to request access

C. Download AWS software on your computer

D. Create an AWS account by signing up on the AWS website

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand AWS service access requirements

   To use AWS services, you must have an AWS account first.

2. Step 2: Identify how to create an AWS account

   AWS accounts are created by signing up on the AWS website, not by coding or calling support.

3. Final Answer:

   Create an AWS account by signing up on the AWS website -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   First step to use AWS = Create account [OK]

Hint: AWS use starts with account signup on website [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking you can create an AWS account by code
• Assuming AWS software must be downloaded first
• Believing calling support is required to start

2. Which of the following is a required step during AWS account creation?

easy

A. Entering your email address and verifying it

B. Installing AWS CLI on your computer

C. Writing a CloudFormation template

D. Configuring an EC2 instance

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify required information for AWS signup

   AWS requires an email address to create an account and sends a verification email.

2. Step 2: Recognize unrelated steps

   Installing CLI, writing templates, or configuring instances happen after account creation.

3. Final Answer:

   Entering your email address and verifying it -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Email verification is mandatory during signup [OK]

Hint: Email verification is mandatory for AWS signup [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing account creation with later setup steps
• Thinking software installation is part of signup
• Assuming infrastructure setup is needed to create account

3. After successfully creating an AWS account, what is the immediate next step you must complete before using AWS services?

medium

A. Verify your phone number via SMS or call

B. Launch an EC2 instance

C. Create an IAM user

D. Write a billing report

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall AWS signup verification steps

   After account creation, AWS requires phone verification to confirm identity.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from other tasks

   Launching servers, creating users, or billing reports come after verification.

3. Final Answer:

   Verify your phone number via SMS or call -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Phone verification follows account creation [OK]

Hint: Phone verification is next after signup [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Skipping phone verification step
• Trying to launch services before verification
• Confusing IAM user creation with signup process

4. You tried to create an AWS account but did not provide valid payment details. What will happen?

medium

A. You can use all AWS services without restrictions

B. Account creation will fail or be limited until payment info is added

C. AWS will automatically bill your phone number

D. You will be charged a fixed fee immediately

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand AWS payment requirements

   AWS requires valid payment info to activate the account fully and avoid service limits.

2. Step 2: Identify consequences of missing payment info

   Without payment details, account creation may fail or have restricted access.

3. Final Answer:

   Account creation will fail or be limited until payment info is added -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Valid payment info is required for full AWS account use [OK]

Hint: Payment info is mandatory for full AWS account activation [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming AWS services are free without payment info
• Thinking AWS bills phone numbers automatically
• Believing AWS charges fixed fees immediately

5. You want to create an AWS account for your small business. Which combination of steps is correct to complete the signup process successfully?

hard

A. Write CloudFormation template, verify email, call support, enter payment

B. Download AWS SDK, create IAM user, launch EC2, configure billing

C. Provide email, verify phone, enter payment details, accept terms

D. Create S3 bucket, verify phone, enter payment, accept terms

Solution

1. Step 1: List required signup steps

   Creating an AWS account requires email, phone verification, payment info, and agreeing to terms.

2. Step 2: Eliminate unrelated or incorrect steps

   Downloading SDK, creating resources, or calling support are not part of signup.

3. Final Answer:

   Provide email, verify phone, enter payment details, accept terms -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Signup = email + phone + payment + terms [OK]

Hint: Signup needs email, phone, payment, and terms acceptance [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing signup with resource setup
• Skipping terms acceptance
• Including unrelated steps like SDK download