How to Install Protector.net (Hartman Controls) on AWS EC2: A Step-by-Step Guide

Setting up Protector.net by Hartman Controls in the cloud is an excellent way to scale your industrial control and monitoring systems. AWS (Amazon Web Services) provides a flexible, secure, and scalable platform to host applications like Protector.net. Whether you’re looking to migrate your existing system or set up a fresh deployment, this guide will walk you through the entire process, from provisioning a server to installing and configuring Protector.net on AWS EC2.

Why Host Protector.net on AWS?

• Scalability: AWS allows you to scale your infrastructure based on traffic needs.
• Reliability: With AWS, your data is stored on highly available and redundant infrastructure.
• Security: AWS offers robust security features, such as network isolation and IAM (Identity and Access Management) roles.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Pay-as-you-go pricing means you only pay for the resources you use.

Step 1: Setting Up Your AWS Infrastructure

1. Create an AWS Account

First, if you don’t have an AWS account, create one at AWS. After that, sign in to the AWS Management Console.

2. Launch a New EC2 Instance

Now let’s get started with provisioning the virtual machine (VM) on AWS:

• Navigate to EC2: Go to the EC2 Dashboard and click on Launch Instance.
• Select AMI (Amazon Machine Image): Choose a Windows-based instance such as Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 2022. Protector.net is designed for Windows environments, so this will ensure compatibility.
• Choose an Instance Type: Choose an instance based on your expected workload. For instance:
• t3.medium for small to medium workloads.
• m5.large or c5.xlarge for more intensive applications.
• Configure Instance: Set up your network and subnet (leave default unless you need specific configurations).
• Add Storage: The default 30GB is typically fine, but increase the disk size if Protector.net requires more storage.
• Security Groups: Here, you will set up firewall rules:
• Open Port 3389 for RDP (Remote Desktop) so you can connect to the instance.
• Open Ports 80 (HTTP) and 443 (HTTPS) if the software needs to be accessible via a web interface.
• Review and Launch: Review your configuration, then click Launch. Don’t forget to download the key pair for secure access.

Step 2: Connect to Your EC2 Instance via RDP

1. Obtain the Public IP: Once your EC2 instance is running, note down the Public DNS or IP Address from the EC2 dashboard.
2. Access via Remote Desktop: Open Remote Desktop Connection (RDP) on your local machine and enter the Public DNS or IP of your instance. Use the Administrator login.
3. Retrieve Password: If this is your first time logging in, retrieve the Windows password using the .pem key you downloaded earlier. Go to EC2 Console > Instance > Connect to get the password.

Step 3: Installing Required Software

1. Install .NET Framework

Protector.net may require specific versions of the .NET Framework. You can install it as follows:

• Open Server Manager, click on Add Roles and Features.
• Under Features, select .NET Framework 4.8 or the version required by Protector.net.
• Complete the installation and reboot your server.

Alternatively, you can download the .NET Framework installer from the official Microsoft site.

2. Install SQL Server

Protector.net will likely require a SQL Server to store data. To install SQL Server Express (free edition):

1. Download SQL Server Express from the Microsoft Download Center.
2. Run the installer and choose the Basic installation option.
3. During installation, configure authentication mode (Windows Authentication or Mixed Mode).
4. Once SQL Server is installed, consider installing SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) to easily manage your database.

Step 4: Install Protector.net

1. Obtain the Installer

You’ll need to get the Protector.net installation package from Hartman Controls or your authorized source.

2. Install Protector.net

• Copy the installation package to your EC2 instance (via RDP or AWS S3).
• Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. Typically, the installation will ask you to:
• Select the installation directory.
• Configure database settings. You’ll need to provide the connection information for the SQL Server instance you installed earlier.

3. Verify Installation

• After installation, you may need to restart the server.
• Launch the Protector.net application and ensure that it’s running as expected.

Step 5: Configuring the Software

1. Database Configuration

Protector.net will need to connect to the SQL Server. Open the application’s configuration settings and enter the following:

• SQL Server instance name (e.g., localhost or the public IP of the SQL instance).
• Database name (the one you created during SQL Server setup).
• Login credentials (username and password for SQL Server).

Test the connection to ensure everything is working smoothly.

2. User Setup

Create and configure the necessary user accounts within Protector.net. Depending on your organizational structure, you might set up different roles with varying access levels.

Step 6: Security and Access Management

1. Configure Security Groups

In the EC2 Security Group settings, make sure that:

• Port 3389 (RDP) is open only to trusted IP addresses for secure access.
• Port 80 (HTTP) and 443 (HTTPS) are open for web-based access if applicable.
• Restrict any other unused ports to avoid unauthorized access.

2. Windows Firewall Settings

Ensure that the Windows Firewall allows traffic on the necessary ports (RDP, HTTP, and HTTPS). You can configure this via the Windows Firewall settings in Control Panel.

Step 7: Backups and Monitoring

1. Backup Configuration

To protect your data, set up automatic backups:

• Use AWS Backup to back up the EC2 instance and any attached EBS volumes.
• Schedule backups of the SQL Server database and application files.

2. Monitoring

Set up AWS CloudWatch to monitor the performance of your EC2 instance:

• Track CPU usage, memory consumption, disk I/O, and network traffic.
• Set up CloudWatch Alarms to notify you if resource usage exceeds predefined thresholds.

Step 8: Final Testing

1. Test the Application

Once everything is set up, open a web browser and access Protector.net via the EC2 instance’s Public IP (or domain if you’ve configured one).

Test all features:

• Ensure the database is correctly connected and running.
• Verify that all users and permissions are functioning as expected.
• Test any integration with devices or other applications.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully deployed Protector.net on AWS EC2. By following these detailed steps, you now have a scalable, secure, and high-performing setup that will grow with your needs. Make sure to regularly monitor the application’s performance, perform routine backups, and scale your infrastructure as needed.

Whether you’re managing industrial control systems or monitoring mission-critical assets, AWS provides the flexibility and reliability to keep your operations running smoothly.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to leave a comment below!