From the AWS dashboard, select EC2 to open the EC2 console

Go to the navigation bar at the top and select a region, the region selected is a key pair, when you launch in a specific region you need the key pair for that region to see any instances you have created

If this is your first instance you will have to select new instance to create a new instance.

If you have made other instances you can view them here under the view instances tab.

To create a new instance select the new instance butto.

Search for the AMI that you would like to use.

For example if you wanted a ubuntu setup you would search for something like this, ubuntu 16.04 hvm ssd 201609, you can search for AMI’s under the community tab on the left hand side of the page.

You will select what instance type you want based on how much data you will be using.

For example if you need more memory or vCPUs then you will want to choose a larger one but be wary as this will cost more to run than smaller instances.

Usually you wont have to change the defaults at this step.

If you plan on using this server again, select the Enable termination protection.

Select the size of the server (GiB)

Select the volume type for example the General Purpose SSD

Here you give your instance a name.

Along with naming it you also give it a value.

First you select type of port.

Then the protocol of the port.

After that pick the port range.

Finally you pick the source for example any IP or a specific one.

Make sure all the settings are correct.

Select launch

Now you choose a key by selecting an existing one or making a new one.

Select view instances.

View instances.

Select the instance(s) you want to use.

Click on the actions dropdown menu.

Select instance state.

From here you can Start, Stop, Reboot, and Terminate.

Terminate will delete the instance.

When finish stop the instance.