CFD Direct

The Architects of OpenFOAM

CFDDFC on AWS: Launch an Instance with the Console

Running CFDDFC with the AWS Console

  1. Launch an Instance
  2. Connect to an Instance
  3. Connect with the Remote Desktop
  4. Data Storage
  5. Creating a Cluster of Instances
[ AWS Setup | Launch in the Console | Launch with the CLI ]

Problem with these instructions? Please send a CFDDFC Support Query.

Before Launching an Instance

Select an EC2 Instance

  • Login to the Amazon EC2 Console.
  • Select a suitable region, e.g. one that is near you (see drop-down menu, top right of the panel).
  • Select Instances from the left menu.
  • Click Launch Instance.
  • Select AWS Marketplace; type CFDDFC in Search and hit Enter.
  • Select the CFD Direct From the Cloud product suitable for the instance.
  • A panel appears showing pricing of CFD Direct From the Cloud. Click Continue
  • Select your preferred Instance Type from the table, e.g. c5.2xlarge.
  • Click Review and Launch.
EC2 Region

Modify Security (optional, removes a warning message)

  • Select Edit Security Groups.
  • From the Source drop-down menu, select My IP.
  • Click Review and Launch.

Modify Storage Size (optional)

  • Select Edit Storage.
  • Set the amount of storage in the Size (GiB) text box.
  • Click Review and Launch.

Launch the Instance

  • Back in Review Instance Launch, Click Launch.
  • A panel appears with Select and existing key pair of create a new key pair.
  • If you have previously created a key pair and wish to use it, select the key pair.
  • Otherwise select Create a new key pair, enter a name (suggestion: ec2) and click Create.
  • Save the private key file (e.g.ec2.pem) which is downloaded by your browser.  Keep the file in a safe location.
  • Click Launch Instances.

Key Pair

  • The key pair file is used to login to the instance using SSH.
  • For Linux and Mac OS X users, a recommended location to save the file is a .ssh directory in your home directory. 
  • The file permission must be set to read for the user only.
  • For a key pair file named ec2.pem file in a .ssh directory, type the following in a terminal: 
    chmod 400 ~/.ssh/ec2.pem
  • Windows 10 users can manage a key pair file similarly using Windows Subsystem for Linux.
  • Further information: Creating Your Key Pair Using Amazon EC2.

Checking the Instance

  • Click the instance ID (i-XXXXXXXX) link or View Instances.
  • The Instances panel of EC2 Management Console displays Instance Details and Status.
  • From the Instances panel, or full description of the instance, note the Public IP in the form XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX.

Further information

See the Amazon EC2 User Guide.

Next Step → Connect to an Instance