Different Methods to Connect to a AWS Linux Compute Engine Instance

Step 1: Connect via ssh using Key pair
Process:

• Create a key pair in the .ppk format (or .pem format if you need an alternative to using an SSH tool) and download the private key to your local desktop or laptop.
• Attach the Key pair during the creation of the AWS virtual machine.

• Copy the Public IP of the virtual machine.

• Follow these steps to connect to a Linux instance:
• Launch PuTTY or another compatible tool.
• Expand Connection > SSH > Auth and select credentials.
• Click Browse and locate your private key file.

• The Linux terminal will open and ask for a username. Enter the appropriate username based on the Linux distribution (e.g., "ec2-user" for Amazon Linux or "ubuntu" for Ubuntu).

Step 2: Connect via ssh using own SSH Key defined in the Key pair
Process:

• On your local machine, generate an SSH key pair.
• Save public key and private key, on your local machine.

• Navigate to the Key pair page and choose "Actions"
• Click on "Import Key Pair" and add your public key

• Attach the Key pair during the creation of the AWS virtual machine.

• Copy the Public IP of the virtual machine.
• Follow these steps to connect to a Linux instance:
• Launch PuTTY or another compatible tool.
• Expand Connection > SSH > Auth and select credentials.
• Click Browse and locate your private key file.
• The Linux terminal will open and ask for a username. Enter the appropriate username based on the Linux distribution (e.g., "ec2-user" for Amazon Linux or "ubuntu" for Ubuntu).

Step 3: Connect via AWS Console
Process:

• Create the AWS virtual machine.
• Go to the EC2 page and select "Instances."
• Find your Linux virtual machine and click "Connect."
• Choose "EC2 Instance Connect" and then "Connect using EC2 Instance Connect."
• Finally, click "Connect".

• A browser-based terminal will launch, providing direct access to the instance.

Step 4: Connect via AWS System manager
Process:

• Create an IAM role and attach the "AmazonSSMManagedInstanceCore" policy.
• Attach the IAM role while creating the AWS virtual machine.

• Navigate to the System Manager page and choose "Session Manager"
• Click on "Start Session."
• Wait until the Linux instance appears, then select it and click "Start Session."

• A browser-based terminal will launch, providing direct access to the instance.

Step 5: Connect via ssh using password
Process:

• While creating the Linux virtual machine.
• In the Advanced details section:
• Copy the script below (adjust it according to your Linux distribution) under user data.

#!/bin/bash
echo 'lab-password' | passwd ec2-user --stdin
sed -i 's|[#]*PasswordAuthentication no|PasswordAuthentication yes|g' /etc/ssh/sshd_config
systemctl restart sshd.service

• Copy the Public IP of the virtual machine.
• Follow these steps to connect to a Linux instance:
• Launch PuTTY or another compatible tool.
• The Linux terminal will open and ask for a username and password. Enter the appropriate username based on the Linux distribution (e.g., "ec2-user" for Amazon Linux or "ubuntu" for Ubuntu) and password.