corda/docs/source/aws-vm-explore.rst

Deploying Corda to Corda Testnet from an AWS Cloud Platform VM
==============================================================

.. contents::

This document explains how to deploy a Corda node to AWS that can connect directly to the Corda Testnet.
A self service download link can be obtained from https://testnet.corda.network. This
document will describe how to set up a virtual machine on the AWS
Cloud Platform to deploy your pre-configured Corda node and automatically connnect
to Testnet.

Pre-requisites
--------------
* Ensure you have a registered Amazon AWS account which can create virtual machines and you are logged on to the AWS console: https://console.aws.amazon.com.


Deploy Corda node
-----------------

Browse to https://console.aws.amazon.com and log in with your AWS account.


**STEP 1: Launch a new virtual machine**

Click on Launch a virtual machine with EC2.

.. image:: resources/aws-launch.png

In the quick start wizard scroll down and select the most recent Ubuntu machine image as the Amazon Machine Image (AMI).

.. image:: resources/aws_select_ubuntu.png

Select the instance type (for example t2.xlarge). 

.. image:: resources/aws-instance-type.png

Configure a couple of other settings before we review and launch

Under the storage tab (Step 4) increase the storage to 40GB:

.. image:: resources/aws-storage.png

Configure the security group (Step 6) to open the firewall ports which Corda uses.

.. image:: resources/aws-firewall.png

Add a firewall rule for port range 10002-10003 and allow connection from Anywhere. Add another rule for the webserver on port 8080. 

Click on the Review and Launch button then if everything looks ok click Launch.

You will be prompted to set up keys to securely access the VM remotely over ssh. Select "Create a new key pair" from the drop down and enter a name for the key file. Click download to get the keys and keep them safe on your local machine. 

.. note:: These keys are just for connecting to your VM and are separate from the keys Corda will use to sign transactions. These keys will be generated as part of the download bundle.

.. image:: resources/aws-keys.png

Click "Launch Instances".

Click on the link to go to the Instances pages in the AWS console where after a few minutes you will be able to see your instance running.

.. image:: resources/aws-instances.png

**STEP 2: Set up static IP address**

On AWS a permanent IP address is called an Elastic IP. Click on the
"Elastic IP" link in the navigation panel on the left hand side of the console and then click on "Allocate new address":

.. image:: resources/aws-elastic.png

Follow the form then once the address is allocated click on "Actions"
then "Associate address":

.. image:: resources/aws-elastic-actions.png

Then select the instance you created for your Corda node to attach the
IP address to. 

**STEP 3: Connect to your VM and set up the environment**

In the instances console click on "Connect" and follow the instructions to connect to your instance using ssh.

.. image:: resources/aws-instances-connect.png

.. image:: resources/aws-connect.png


**STEP 4: Download and set up your Corda node**

Now your AWS environment is configured you can switch back to the Testnet 
web application and click on the copy to clipboard button to get a one
time installation script. 

.. note:: If you have not already set up your account on Testnet then please visit https://testnet.corda.network and sign up.

.. image:: resources/testnet-platform.png

You can generate as many Testnet identites as you like by refreshing
this page to generate a new one time link. 
	   
In the terminal of your cloud instance paste the command you just copied to install and run
your unique Corda instance on that instance:

.. code:: bash

    sudo ONE_TIME_DOWNLOAD_KEY=YOUR_UNIQUE_DOWNLOAD_KEY_HERE bash -c "$(curl -L https://testnet.corda.network/api/user/node/install.sh)"

.. warning:: This command will execute the install script as ROOT on your cloud instance. You may wish to examine the script prior to executing it on your machine. 

You can follow the progress of the installation by typing the following command in your terminal:

.. code:: bash

    tail -f /opt/corda/logs/node-<VM-NAME>.log

Once the node has booted up you can navigate to the external web address of the instance on port 8080. If everything is working you should see the following:

.. image:: resources/installed-cordapps.png


Testing your deployment
-----------------------

To test your deployment is working correctly follow the instructions in :doc:`testnet-explorer-corda` to set up the Finance CorDapp and issue cash to a counterparty.

This will also demonstrate how to install a custom CorDapp.