AWS - Creating AWS Account and Exploring the Dashboard

Hello, and welcome to the AWS series! Today, we’re taking our first practical step into the AWS ecosystem by setting up an AWS account, exploring the AWS Management Console, and implementing essential security measures to ensure a safe cloud environment. This foundational knowledge will prepare you for working with AWS services as you continue your DevOps journey.

So, without wasting any time—let’s hop in and get started!

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1. AWS Account Setup

Before setting up an AWS account, ensure you have:

• A valid email address

• A phone number

• A credit/debit card (for identity verification)

Step 1: Visit the AWS Sign-Up Page

1. Go to AWS Sign-Up.

2. Click Create an AWS Account (top right).

Step 2: Enter Account Details

1. Email Address: Use a professional email (e.g., devops@yourcompany.com).

2. AWS Account Name: Name your account (e.g., DevOpsVoyage).

3. Click Verify email address and confirm via the email sent.

Step 3: Provide Contact Information

1. Choose between:

   • Personal account (for learning and personal projects).

   • Business account (for company use).

2. Enter your full name, phone number, and address.

3. Click "Continue".

Step 4: Add Payment Information

1. Enter credit/debit card details (AWS charges $1 for verification, refunded later).

2. Billing Address: Fill in your company/personal address.

Step 5: Identity Verification

1. AWS will call or SMS your phone number to verify your identity.

2. Enter the 4-digit code or 6-digit OTP received.

Step 6: Choose a AWS Support Plan

1. Select Basic Support (Free) for beginners.

2. Click Complete sign-up.

Step 7: Account Activation

1. After completing the steps above, AWS will begin activating your account.

2. You'll receive a confirmation email when your account is fully activated (usually within a few minutes).

3. Once activated, you can sign in to the AWS Management Console.

🎉 Congratulations! Your AWS account is now created.

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2. Navigating the AWS Management Console

Accessing the Console

1. Go to AWS Console.

2. Log in with your email and password.

Key Dashboard Sections

1. Services Menu (Top Left):

   • Access all AWS services (e.g., EC2, S3, Lambda).

     

2. Search Bar:

   • Quickly find services (e.g., type “S3” to open Amazon S3).

     

3. Region Selector (Top Right):

   • Deploy resources in specific regions (e.g., US East (N. Virginia)).

     

4. Account Info (Top Right):

   • Manage billing, security, and IAM users.

     

Example: Launch a Basic EC2 Instance

1. Search for EC2 → Click Launch Instance.

   

2. Name your instance (e.g., devops-test-server).

3. Select an AMI (e.g., Amazon Linux 2023).

4. Choose t2.micro (Free Tier eligible).

5. Click Launch Instance (Skip key pair for now).

   

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3. Setting Up Billing Alerts

Why Billing Alerts?

Avoid surprise charges by monitoring usage (e.g., accidental over-provisioning).

Step 1: Open the Billing Dashboard

1. Click your account name (top right) → Billing & Cost Management.

   

Step 2: Create a Budget

1. Go to Budgets → Create a budget.

2. Budget Type: Select Cost budget.

3. Budget Amount: Set a threshold (e.g., $4.77).

4. Alert Conditions:

   • “Actual Costs” > 85% of budget → Send email alerts.

5. Click Create.

   

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4. Enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Why MFA?

Add an extra layer of security to your root account (required for compliance).

Step 1: Access IAM Settings

1. Search for IAM → Go to Dashboard → Activate MFA on your root account.

   

Step 2: Set Up MFA Device

1. Choose a Virtual MFA device (e.g., Google Authenticator).

2. Scan the QR code with your authenticator app.

3. Enter two consecutive codes from the app.

4. Click Assign MFA.

   

   

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5. Best Practices for New AWS Users

• Never use your root account for daily tasks - Create IAM users instead.

• Enable MFA for all users - Not just the root account.

• Set up billing alerts immediately - Before creating any resources.

• Start in the free tier - Learn with minimal cost exposure.

• Choose your region wisely - Select the one closest to you or your users.

• Clean up unused resources - Some services continue to incur charges even when idle.

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Yeah, here we are—that's it! Now we're all set to dive in and swim as deep as we want in the vast ocean of AWS. By following these steps, you've built a solid foundation for your AWS journey. The AWS Management Console might feel overwhelming at first with its countless services, but trust me, as you explore and practice, navigating this powerful platform will become second nature.

So go ahead, get hands-on, and make yourself comfortable with AWS! Next, we’re stepping into one of the most crucial aspects of cloud security—IAM (Identity and Access Management). In our next blog, "AWS IAM - Managing Users, Roles, and Policies," you’ll learn how to create users, assign the right permissions, and implement AWS security best practices to keep your cloud environment safe and well-managed.

Until next time, keep coding, automating, and advancing in DevOps! 😁

Peace out ✌️