Prerequisites to launching an AWS instance¶

1. Create an AWS account and log in.
2. Click EC2.
   
3. Before launching an instance, you will need to create a security group. On the menu on the left, click Security Groups under Networks & Security.
   
4. Click Create Security Group.
   
5. Name and create a description for your new custom security group.
6. Click Add Rule.
7. Select Custom TCP Rule as the Type and 8080 as the Port Range.
8. Click Add Rule.
9. Select RDP as the Type.
10. It is recommended that you select My IP as the Source. This prevents others from creating a remote desktop connection to the server.
11. Click Create.
    

Launching an AWS instance¶

1. Click Launch Instance from the EC2 Dashboard.
2. You have the opportunity to choose an Amazon Machine Image. We recommend choosing the Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Base option.
   
3. You have the opportunity to choose an instance type. We recommend an m3 type. You may be able to run an instance on a smaller, lower-cost instance, but the performance of these other options may reduce usability for clients.
   
4. Most of the default settings are adequate for running GIFT. At the top of the page, jump forward by clicking 6. Configure Security Group.
   
5. Select the custom security group created in the above section.
   
6. Click Review and Launch.
7. Click Launch to launch your AWS instance.
8. When prompted for a key pair, select Create a new key pair. Name your key pair and then click Download Key Pair. You must download the key pair at this time. Save the key pair in a safe place. You will need to access the file to launch your instance.
   
9. Click Launch Instances.
10. It may take several minutes for your new AWS instance to launch. You can see the progress by selecting Instances from the menu on the left.
11. To connect to your instance, select the instance from the Instances menu and click Connect at the top of the page.
    
12. Click Get Password. This is where you will need the previously downloaded key pair.
13. Click Key Pair Path, open the previously downloaded key pair, and click Decrypt Password.
    
14. The password that is shown after clicking Decrypt Password is the default administrator password to your AWS instance. You should record this for future use.
    
15. Click Download Remote Desktop File and open the file. Use the username and password decrypted in the previous step to log in as the administrator.
    
16. This opens a remote desktop to your AWS instance.
17. Inside of the remote desktop, use Internet Explorer to go to the GIFT website, gifttutoring.org.
18. Download, install, and run GIFT.
19. Open Control Panel in the AWS instance.
20. Click System and Security.
    
21. Add or allow an app through Windows Firewall.
22. Click Allow another app.
23. Click Browse.
24. Select javaw in the GIFT > external > jdk1.80_31 > jre > bin folder.
    
25. Click Add.
26. Click OK.
27. Test accessing your newly configured instance of GIFT, minimize the remote desktop and try accessing the instance of GIFT from your own computer.
28. To find the IP address of your server, select your instance on the Instances menu and at the bottom of the screen on the Description tab, find the Public IP.
    
29. Go to {public IP}:8080/dashboard.
    

How to terminate an AWS instance¶

1. Click Instances from the menu on the left
2. Select the checkbox of the instance you want to terminate.
3. Click Actions.
4. Click Instance State.
5. Click Terminate.