How to configure Putty to access an EC2 Instance via SSH?

While there is a variety of software used for accessing your AWS Instance via SSH, in this case we will use “Putty”. PuTTY is a free and open-source terminal emulator, serial console, and network file transfer application that provides a graphical user interface to connect to remote systems over various network protocols. It is commonly used in Windows environments to connect to Unix-based servers and network devices.

Here are some common usages of PuTTY:

• SSH (Secure Shell) Access: PuTTY is most frequently used for secure remote access to Unix-based systems, including servers, routers, switches, and other network devices. It allows you to establish SSH connections to these remote devices, providing a text-based interface for executing commands.
• Telnet Access: PuTTY can be used to connect to devices over Telnet, although this protocol is less secure than SSH and is generally not recommended for production environments.
• Serial Console Access: You can use PuTTY to connect to network devices and servers through a serial connection. This is commonly used for configuring and troubleshooting hardware devices.
• Serial Communication Testing: Developers and engineers use PuTTY to test and debug serial communication between devices, such as microcontrollers and sensors.
• File Transfer: PuTTY includes tools like PSCP (PuTTY Secure Copy Protocol) and PSFTP (PuTTY Secure File Transfer Protocol) for securely transferring files between your local machine and remote systems using SCP and SFTP.
• Tunneling: PuTTY can be used for setting up secure tunnels or port forwarding. This is often used for accessing remote services as if they were local, or for securing network traffic between your local machine and a remote server.
• SSH Key Pair Management: PuTTYgen, a component of PuTTY, is used for generating and managing SSH key pairs, which can be used for secure authentication to remote systems.
• Customizing Terminal Settings: PuTTY allows you to customize terminal settings, such as fonts, colors, and keyboard mappings, to suit your preferences.
• Scripting and Automation: PuTTY can be used to automate tasks by running scripts or command sequences on remote systems.
• Secure Remote Desktop: While not as common as other use cases, PuTTY can also be used to secure and encrypt Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) sessions when connecting to Windows machines.
• Network Configuration: Network administrators often use PuTTY to configure network devices via the command-line interface, making it a valuable tool for managing network infrastructure.
• Remote System Administration: System administrators use PuTTY to perform administrative tasks on remote servers and devices, which may include troubleshooting, maintenance, and software installation.

PuTTY is a versatile tool that is particularly useful when working in mixed Windows and Unix-based environments. It provides a straightforward way to access and manage remote systems, and its wide range of features makes it a valuable tool for many IT professionals and developers.

Prerequisites:

• Putty Software installed (Press here to open it in a new tab)
• Access to an EC2 Instance Key Pair