I'm exploring using EC2 to host solutions for a client and for myself. Does anyone have any experience with this?

My most immediate questions are:

-Once configured and logged in remotely...does the environment exactly mirror using a local server? (Windows Server)
-For 4-6 users could I likely opt for one of the most modest configurations?
-Ancipated cost for 4-6 FM users?

I'm watching an in-depth training series on AWS and EC2 at Lynda.com here:
http://www.lynda.com/AWS-tutorials/Welcome/163929/187332-4.html

I'll post anything worthwhile that I learn.

Update: I found this more informative description of what kind of computer drives a particular "instance"

https://aws.amazon.com/ec2/instance-types/

Edited December 17, 201510 yr by Craig Wall

I spent the last couple of days setting up an AWS instance and installing FMS14 just to see it all work. And it does! 

I followed this wonderful blog:

http://www.soundsessential.com/filemaker-pro/the-fmp-files/item/filemaker-server-on-amazon-web-services-part-1

I also installed CrashPlan, and had it back up a directory to which I write a backup every night. 

The immediate client is tourism based, where 8 months of the year are pretty quiet with just a few users. 

So the elastic nature of EC2 appeals quite a bit. 

And Amazon announced a particular instance type that might be ideal for this sporadic use model (during off-season):
Burstable Performance Instances  (T2)

5 minutes ago, bcooney said:

I spent the last couple of days setting up an AWS instance and installing FMS14 just to see it all work. And it does! 

I followed this wonderful blog:

http://www.soundsessential.com/filemaker-pro/the-fmp-files/item/filemaker-server-on-amazon-web-services-part-1

I also installed CrashPlan, and had it back up a directory to which I write a backup every night. 

Do you mind me asking what monthly price point you ended up with after calibrating...and number of users?

I haven't. To me, your minimum must meet FMS14 tech specs, so that is 8GB RAM and 4-core CPU. So, afaik, m4.xlarge is the minimum instance. Right now, though, I'm just using the free trial instance, t2.micro.

http://www.filemaker.com/products/filemaker-server/server-14-specifications.html

The customer I have in mind, will not use WebDirect (yet?), and has three locations (about 30 users).

57 minutes ago, bcooney said:

I haven't. To me, your minimum must meet FMS14 tech specs, so that is 8GB RAM and 4-core CPU. So, afaik, m4.xlarge is the minimum instance. Right now, though, I'm just using the free trial instance, t2.micro.

http://www.filemaker.com/products/filemaker-server/server-14-specifications.html

The customer I have in mind, will not use WebDirect (yet?), and has three locations (about 30 users).

I'm still trying to discern which system attributes are elastic with T2. There is this quote, "T2 instances are backed by the latest Intel Xeon processors with clock speeds up to 3.3 GHz during burst periods."

So base and burst attributes can vary widely. But I don't yet know what all can scale during burst periods...does available RAM scale? Number of core?

Again my client has extremely sporadic, light usage 8 months of the year. With T2 you get "credits" for quiet usage, which is why the pricing is low.

t2.large    2 vCPU    8GB RAM    

Edited December 17, 201510 yr by Craig Wall

I see a post on TechNet asking the same question. I bumped it, so let's see if it gets a reply. Afaik, FMS is not "scalable."

Have a look at our services as well for dedicated servers.  We specialize in FileMaker, and properly configured virtual machines are cheaper through us than AWS:

http://www.pointinspace.com/

- John