Create a new Amazon app instance

The following screenshots will help you creating a new Amazon application instance. An application instance is the container for exactly one Java application server. Each instance is configured using so called "user data". This configuration will then be read by the java server.

AMI Selection

In the "Classic Wizard" select "My AMIs" and then select "Sailing Analytics Java Server"

Then select an instance type that matches what you want - be aware of the fact that t1.micro is not suitable for build process.

Select a subnet that matches the one of the database server (in most cases this will be eu-west-1c). Leave other options untouched but scroll down to get to the "Advanced Options". There fill the user data field.

Leave Kernel and RAM disk to Default. Then put the configuration for this server into the text area labeled "User Data". This configuration should at least contain MONGODB_* and REPLICATION_* parameters. Here one example:

BUILD_BEFORE_START=True
BUILD_FROM=master
RUN_TESTS=False
BUILD_COMPLETE_NOTIFY=simon.marcel.pamies@sap.com
SERVER_NAME=LIVE1
MEMORY=1024m
REPLICATION_HOST=172.31.25.253
REPLICATION_CHANNEL=sapsailinganalytics-live
TELNET_PORT=14888
SERVER_PORT=8888
MONGODB_HOST=172.31.25.253
MONGODB_PORT=10202
EXPEDITION_PORT=2010
REPLICATE_ON_START=False
REPLICATE_MASTER_SERVLET_HOST=
REPLICATE_MASTER_SERVLET_PORT=
REPLICATE_MASTER_QUEUE_HOST=
REPLICATE_MASTER_QUEUE_PORT=
SERVER_STARTUP_NOTIFY=

It does not really matter which SERVER_PORT you use because there is only one app per instance. But this makes it easier to configure instances for Apache, a Load Balancer or other uses. If you want to create a cluster that is self-replicating and has a load balancer in front of it then make sure that all your instances are running on the same port!

Provide your instance with an useful name.

Make absolutely sure to select the right Security Group. If you do not select the group "Sailing Analytics App" your server won't be able to access any database.

Configure the key. Make sure to always use the "Administrator" key.

Your instance is now launching. You can create alarms if you want to monitor the state of the application. Be aware that monitoring is costy.

Your application is now ready. Check that everything is green.

You can access the application server by using the DNS and the port you've configured.