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AWScloud~5 mins

Launching an EC2 instance in AWS - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

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beginner
What is an EC2 instance in AWS?
An EC2 instance is a virtual server in the cloud that you can use to run applications, just like a computer but hosted by AWS.
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beginner
Which key step is required before launching an EC2 instance?
You must select an Amazon Machine Image (AMI), which is a template that contains the operating system and software for your instance.
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beginner
What is the purpose of a security group when launching an EC2 instance?
A security group acts like a firewall that controls the traffic allowed to reach your EC2 instance.
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beginner
Why do you need a key pair when launching an EC2 instance?
A key pair is used to securely connect to your EC2 instance via SSH, ensuring only authorized users can access it.
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beginner
What does the instance type define when launching an EC2 instance?
The instance type defines the hardware resources like CPU, memory, and storage capacity your EC2 instance will have.
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What is the first step to launch an EC2 instance?
AChoose an Amazon Machine Image (AMI)
BCreate a security group
CSelect an instance type
DGenerate a key pair
What controls the network traffic allowed to your EC2 instance?
AKey pair
BInstance type
CElastic IP
DSecurity group
Which of these is NOT a valid instance type characteristic?
ACPU power
BMemory size
COperating system
DStorage capacity
Why do you need a key pair when launching an EC2 instance?
ATo assign an IP address
BTo connect securely via SSH
CTo select the instance type
DTo create a security group
What is an Amazon Machine Image (AMI)?
AA template with OS and software
BA virtual server
CA firewall rule set
DA storage volume
Explain the main steps to launch an EC2 instance in AWS.
Think about the order from choosing the software to securing access.
You got /5 concepts.
    Describe the role of security groups and key pairs when launching an EC2 instance.
    One is about network safety, the other about user access.
    You got /3 concepts.

      Practice

      (1/5)
      1. What does launching an EC2 instance in AWS create?
      easy
      A. A storage bucket
      B. A virtual server in the cloud
      C. A database instance
      D. A physical server in your office

      Solution

      1. Step 1: Understand EC2 purpose

        EC2 stands for Elastic Compute Cloud, which provides virtual servers.

      2. Step 2: Identify what launching means

        Launching an EC2 instance means creating a virtual server in AWS cloud.

      3. Final Answer:

        A virtual server in the cloud -> Option B

      4. Quick Check:

        EC2 instance = virtual server [OK]
      Hint: EC2 = virtual server, not physical hardware [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Confusing EC2 with physical hardware
      • Thinking EC2 creates storage or database
      • Mixing EC2 with S3 storage
      2. Which AWS CLI command is used to launch a new EC2 instance?
      easy
      A. aws ec2 run-instances
      B. aws ec2 start-instance
      C. aws ec2 create-instance
      D. aws ec2 deploy-instance

      Solution

      1. Step 1: Recall AWS CLI commands for EC2

        The correct command to launch EC2 instances is 'run-instances'.

      2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect commands

        Commands like 'create-instance', 'start-instance', and 'deploy-instance' do not exist or are incorrect.

      3. Final Answer:

        aws ec2 run-instances -> Option A

      4. Quick Check:

        Launch EC2 = run-instances command [OK]
      Hint: Remember 'run-instances' to start EC2 instances [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Using 'create-instance' which is invalid
      • Confusing 'start-instance' with launching
      • Assuming 'deploy-instance' is a valid command
      3. What will happen if you run this command?
      aws ec2 run-instances --image-id ami-12345678 --count 1 --instance-type t2.micro --key-name MyKeyPair --security-groups MySecurityGroup
      medium
      A. Deletes the specified AMI image
      B. Creates a new security group named MySecurityGroup
      C. Launches one t2.micro EC2 instance with specified settings
      D. Starts an existing stopped EC2 instance

      Solution

      1. Step 1: Analyze the command parameters

        The command uses 'run-instances' with image ID, count=1, instance type, key pair, and security group.

      2. Step 2: Understand the command effect

        This command launches one new EC2 instance of type t2.micro with the given AMI and security settings.

      3. Final Answer:

        Launches one t2.micro EC2 instance with specified settings -> Option C

      4. Quick Check:

        run-instances with parameters = launch instance [OK]
      Hint: run-instances with --count 1 launches one instance [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Thinking it deletes or modifies AMI
      • Confusing security group creation with usage
      • Assuming it starts an existing instance
      4. You run this command but get an error: InvalidKeyPair.NotFound. What is the likely cause?
      aws ec2 run-instances --image-id ami-87654321 --count 1 --instance-type t3.small --key-name WrongKey --security-groups Default
      medium
      A. The key pair named 'WrongKey' does not exist in your AWS account
      B. The AMI ID is invalid
      C. The instance type t3.small is not supported
      D. The security group 'Default' is missing

      Solution

      1. Step 1: Understand the error message

        'InvalidKeyPair.NotFound' means the specified key pair is not found in your AWS account.

      2. Step 2: Match error to command parameters

        The key-name 'WrongKey' likely does not exist or is misspelled, causing the error.

      3. Final Answer:

        The key pair named 'WrongKey' does not exist in your AWS account -> Option A

      4. Quick Check:

        InvalidKeyPair error = missing key pair [OK]
      Hint: Check key pair name spelling if InvalidKeyPair error occurs [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Assuming AMI or instance type caused the error
      • Thinking security group 'Default' is missing
      • Ignoring key pair existence in the region
      5. You want to launch 3 EC2 instances with the same settings but different subnet IDs for high availability. Which approach is best?
      hard
      A. Use aws ec2 create-subnet to create three subnets and launch one instance
      B. Run one aws ec2 run-instances command with --count 3 and a single --subnet-id
      C. Launch one instance and then clone it twice manually
      D. Run three separate aws ec2 run-instances commands, each with a different --subnet-id

      Solution

      1. Step 1: Understand subnet and instance launch

        Each EC2 instance can be launched in only one subnet at a time.

      2. Step 2: Plan for multiple subnets

        To launch instances in different subnets, run separate commands specifying each subnet ID.

      3. Step 3: Evaluate options

        Run three separate aws ec2 run-instances commands, each with a different --subnet-id. This runs three commands with different subnet IDs, ensuring instances spread across subnets.

      4. Final Answer:

        Run three separate aws ec2 run-instances commands, each with a different --subnet-id -> Option D

      5. Quick Check:

        One subnet per instance, multiple commands for multiple subnets [OK]
      Hint: One subnet per instance, use multiple commands for multiple subnets [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Trying to launch multiple subnets in one command
      • Assuming cloning instances copies subnet settings
      • Confusing subnet creation with instance launch