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Last active September 9, 2015 23:53
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AWS as "fast" computer notes

Some Notes on Using AWS as a "Fast" Computer

Why?

I'm cheap. My personal computer is a Dell Latitude D620 with a Core2Duo processor and a few years old consumer grade SSD. It cannot do much very quickly and I would like to be able to have a machine which can build software much faster.

I've written about using AWS as a workstation computer before on my blog, so I figured I mind as well actually try and do that.

What's The Use-Case?

I like embedded Linux, so I want to be able to run OpenEmbedded builds more quickly, and I want to be able to teach others how to do the same. Since everyone can use AWS and it's not expensive if you do it reasonably correctly, it's a great way to have a "second computer." Also, if you screw it up, no big deal, just spawn a new one.

Exact Steps

  1. Sign up for an AWS account (they even have "free" accounts!). If you have previously had an AWS account and closed it, when you recreate your account, it might be suspended, if so, just contact Amazon's customer support for AWS and ask them to un-suspend your account. Amazon have a nice tutorial for account setup, too.

Other Helpful Things to Do

  1. Use ssh-agent forwarding, as detailed by Github, so that you don't leave any private keys on your AWS instance (and so you can be you).
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