From Files to Functions: Navigating Amazon EC2 with Linux Command Line Skills

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Amazon EC2
2. Setting Up Your EC2 Instance
   • 2.1 Choosing the Right AMI
   • 2.2 Instance Types and Pricing
3. Connecting to Your EC2 Instance
4. Navigating the File System
   • 4.1 Basic File Commands
   • 4.2 File Permissions
5. Managing Services and Processes
   • 5.1 Starting and Stopping Services
   • 5.2 Monitoring System Resources
6. Deploying Applications
7. Automating Tasks with Shell Scripts
8. Conclusion

Introduction to Amazon EC2Amazon EC2 enables users to run applications on virtual machines (instances) in the cloud. It provides a flexible and scalable computing environment, making it ideal for developers and businesses alike. Understanding how to navigate and manage EC2 instances via the Linux command line can greatly enhance your productivity.Setting Up Your EC2 Instance

Choosing the Right AMI

When launching an EC2 instance, you'll first need to choose an Amazon Machine Image (AMI). The AMI contains the operating system and software you need. For Linux users, popular choices include:

• Amazon Linux 2
• Ubuntu
• CentOS

Instance Types and Pricing

EC2 offers various instance types to cater to different workloads. Instance types are categorized by their performance capabilities, including:

• t2.micro: Ideal for low-traffic applications and eligible for the AWS Free Tier.
• m5.large: Balanced for general-purpose workloads.

Understanding pricing models, such as On-Demand, Reserved, and Spot Instances, is crucial for managing costs.Connecting to Your EC2 InstanceOnce your instance is up and running, connect to it using SSH. Here’s a typical command to connect:Make sure your key file has the correct permissions:Navigating the File System

Basic File Commands

Familiarize yourself with basic Linux commands for file management:

• Listing files:
  bash

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  ls -la

• Changing directories:
  bash

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  cd /path/to/directory

• Creating files and directories:
  bash

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  touch filename.txt
mkdir new_directory


File Permissions

Understanding file permissions is crucial for managing security:

• Viewing permissions:
  bash

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  ls -l

• Changing permissions:
  bash

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  chmod 755 filename.txt


Managing Services and Processes

Starting and Stopping Services

You can manage services using systemctl. Here are some common commands:

• Start a service:
  bash

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  sudo systemctl start httpd

• Stop a service:
  bash

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  sudo systemctl stop httpd


Monitoring System Resources

Monitoring system performance helps ensure your applications run smoothly. Use the following commands:

• Check CPU and memory usage:
  bash

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  top

• Check disk usage:
  bash

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  df -h


Deploying ApplicationsDeploying applications on EC2 can be done using various methods, including:

• Using Git to clone repositories and deploy applications directly from source.
• Containerization with Docker to create isolated environments for applications.
• Using configuration management tools like Ansible or Chef for automated deployments.

Automating Tasks with Shell ScriptsShell scripts can help automate repetitive tasks. Here’s a simple example of a script that updates your system and starts a web server:Make the script executable and run it:ConclusionNavigating Amazon EC2 using Linux command line skills empowers you to efficiently manage and deploy applications in the cloud. By mastering the essential commands and techniques outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to leverage the full potential of EC2 and AWS.As you continue your journey, consider exploring advanced topics such as security groups, load balancing, and cloud monitoring to further enhance your cloud computing skills.