As part of Day 6 of my 100 Days of DevOps Challenge, I delved into the process of connecting to EC2 instances using both the AWS Management Console (UI) and AWS CLI. This guide outlines the steps to establish these connections and automate EC2 instance management for efficient workflows.
Why AWS CLI is Essential for DevOps?
While the AWS Management Console is ideal for beginners or infrequent access, using the AWS CLI offers speed, scalability, and automation capabilities, making it a preferred choice for DevOps engineers managing multiple resources.
Steps to Connect to an EC2 Instance
1. Install Required Tools
- Install the AWS CLI and a terminal or SSH client, such as MobaXterm or iTerm.
2. Configure the AWS CLI
- Run aws configure and provide your access keys and default region.
3. Launch and Configure an EC2 Instance
- Set up an instance using the AWS console. Download the key pair (.pem file).
4. Connect via AWS Console
- Use the Connect button on the EC2 dashboard for quick access.
5. Connect via CLI
Set permissions for your key file using chmod 600.
Use an SSH command to log in to the instance.
Automating EC2 Management
For frequent tasks, automation is key. Tools like AWS CLI, CloudFormation, and Terraform help reduce manual effort and ensure consistency in deployment.
Use AWS CLI commands for quick instance management.
Explore Infrastructure as Code with CloudFormation or Terraform to define and version-control your infrastructure.
Conclusion
Connecting to EC2 instances is a vital skill for managing cloud infrastructure. While the AWS Console is great for quick access, the AWS CLI offers speed, automation, and scalability, making it indispensable for DevOps. Combining CLI with tools like CloudFormation or Terraform enables efficient, repeatable infrastructure management.
Master these techniques, embrace automation, and take a step closer to becoming a proficient DevOps professional. Stay tuned for more learnings in the 100 Days of DevOps Challenge!