Building OpenJDK9 on the Cloud... Part 1

To build a VM in the cloud

• Sign up to Amazon Web Services
• Select EC2 from the AWS Dashboard
• Launch a new instance
• Create a new Key Pair
• Connect to the VM

Sign Up to Amazon Web Services
Sign up for a free Amazon Web Services account http://aws.amazon.com/ 

Note: You will need to give your address details, bank details and your phone number in order to sign up – even if you already have an Amazon prime account.  Some of the EC2 instances are free but there is a cost associated with many instances although this cost is low.  Ensure you have your phone on you as you will receive a recorded message giving you a code to enter as part of the sign up.

Select EC2 from the AWS Dashboard
OK, so you’re in.  You should see something like this.

Getting started pages http://aws.amazon.com/documentation/gettingstarted/

Click on “EC2 – Virtual server in the cloud”. http://aws.amazon.com/ec2/

You’ll be taken to the EC2 dashboard.  An example is below. This will show the resources you are using in the region you have selected.  You can change your region by clicking on the dropdown next to your name in the top right of the screen.

Launch a new Instance

Click on “Launch Instance” to create a new instance.  This will take you through the following steps:

Step 1: Choose an Amazon machine Image (AMI).  I chose Ubuntu.

Step 2: Choose an Instance type.  The Free instance is a titchy 1 GB with 1 CPU, but it is free!  (I used an Ubuntu t2.micro). Try this to start with or select a larger instance if you don’t mind spending the money.  The prices are low and are listed here: http://aws.amazon.com/ec2/pricing/

Clicking on “Launch” will accept the defaults and skip the next few steps to Step 7.

Step 3: Configure Instance details

Step 4: Add storage

Step 5: Tag Instance

Step 6: Configure security group

Step 7: Review Instance Launch

Before you can launch the new instance you will be asked to provide a Key Pair.

Create a new Key Pair

A key pair consists of a public key that AWS stores and a private key file that you store.  Together they allow you to connect to your instance securely. 

Create a new key pair, give it a name and download it.  Store it somewhere securely and remember the location as you will need this, particularly if you are intending to connect to your shiny new VM via PuTTY.

Launch your instance and click on “View Instance” to go back to the dashboard. Your instance may take a couple of minutes to launch.  The instance state will update once it is ready.

Once the VM is running, the instance state will change to “running”.

Connect to the VM

Click on “Connect”, this will bring up a pop up giving information on how to connect to your new VM

You have the option of connecting with a Java SSH Client or a standalone SSH client.  I couldn’t get the Java SSH Client to work so connected using PuTTY. (Continued in "Building OpenJDK9 on the Cloud... Part 2").