AWS Setup Guide for Digital Circuit Design

Overview

This guide covers:

  • Set up Cloud9 development environment
  • Install necessary tools (Quartus, ModelSim)
  • Access remote desktop using DCV

AWS Console Management

AWS Management Console

Figure: AWS Management Console

The AWS Management Console provides:

  • Search for services
  • Recent services quick access
  • Account/role information

Note: The remote desktop using NICE DCV can be fragile in Firefox, Safari and Edge - please use Google Chrome.

Key services we’ll use:

  1. Cloud9 - Virtual development instance
  2. IAM - User management, roles, policies
  3. S3 - Simple Storage Service

AWS Academy Account Setup

If You Don’t Have an Account

  1. Check for an email from AWS Academy in your Temple email
AWS Academy Email

Figure: AWS Academy invitation email

  1. Follow the instructions to setup an account (this is different from your University account)
  2. Download the AWS Setup PDF Guide for detailed steps

If You Already Have an Account

AWS Canvas

Figure: AWS Academy Canvas Console

  • You can rename your course nickname by clicking on ⋮ on the course tile

Setting Up AWS Cloud9

Requirements for Instance Setup

Important: You need to create an EC2 instance

  1. Click Create environment
Create Cloud9

Figure: Create Cloud9 environment

  1. Select New EC2 instance
  2. Configure with these settings:

Select EC2 Instance Type

Cloud9 Instance Selection

Figure: Cloud9 EC2 instance type selection

Setting Value
Instance type c4.xlarge (7.5GB RAM, 4 vCPU)
Platform Ubuntu Server 22.04 (Jammy)
Connection Secure Shell (SSH)

Select Operating System

Cloud9 OS Selection

Figure: Cloud9 operating system selection

Create the Environment

Cloud9 Create

Figure: Create Cloud9 environment

  1. After configuring, click Create
  2. Wait for the environment to be provisioned

Open Cloud9

Open Cloud9

Figure: Open Cloud9 IDE

  1. Click Open to access your Cloud9 IDE
  2. You can add additional Cloud9 instances by clicking “Create environment”

Warning: Don’t create too many instances - they all run when you start the lab and consume resources!

Cloud9 IDE Overview

Cloud9 IDE

Figure: Cloud9 IDE interface

The Cloud9 IDE provides:

  1. User settings - Customize fonts, background colors, etc.
  2. Terminal window - Open new terminal tabs
  3. File editor - Edit code files
  4. Tab management - Open multiple files

Useful Linux Commands 

# Check Ubuntu version
lsb_release -a

# Check system architecture
uname -m

# Check disk space
df -lh

# List block devices
lsblk

# Find mount point
findmnt -n -o SOURCE /

Install Quartus and Tools

Run the Installation Script

In your Cloud9 terminal, run:

curl -fsSL "https://temple.short.gy/ece2613" | sudo -E bash -

Wait approximately 10-15 minutes for the installation to complete.

Reboot the System

After installation completes, reboot:

sudo reboot

Verify Installation

After reconnecting, verify the setup:

uname -m
df -lh

Access DCV (Remote Desktop)

Open DCV from Cloud9

DCV Access

Figure: DCV access from Cloud9

  1. Look at the menu bar in Cloud9
  2. Click on Preview → Preview Running Application
  3. Click the expansion icon to open in a new browser tab
Preview Icon

Figure: Preview expansion icon

First-Time Setup

When the desktop loads:

Desktop Startup

Figure: DCV desktop startup

  1. You may see a startup screen
  2. Click Allow when prompted for permissions
Desktop Permission

Figure: Desktop permission dialog

Configure Display for X Window

Check Command

Figure: Terminal command check

In your Cloud9 terminal, set the DISPLAY variable:

export DISPLAY=:0

Test that X Window is working:

xeyes &

You should see the “xeyes” application appear on your DCV desktop.

Xeyes Test

Figure: Xeyes test application

Running Quartus

Launch Quartus from Terminal 

quartus &

Quartus will open in your DCV remote desktop window.

Important Files to Know

File Extension Description
*.v or *.sv Verilog/SystemVerilog source files
*.qpf Quartus Project File
*.qsf Quartus Settings File (pin assignments)
*.sof SRAM Object File (for programming)
*.svf Serial Vector Format (for submission)

Quick Reference

Starting Your Lab Session

  1. Log into AWS Academy Canvas
  2. Open your course and go to Learner Lab
  3. Click Start Lab and wait for green indicator
  4. Click AWS to open console
  5. Search for Cloud9 and open your environment
  6. Access DCV for GUI applications

Ending Your Session

  1. Save all your work
  2. Close the DCV window
  3. The Cloud9 environment will auto-hibernate after inactivity

Troubleshooting

Issue Solution
DCV not loading Use Google Chrome browser
Display not working Run export DISPLAY=:0
Quartus won’t start Check if installation completed, try which quartus
Out of disk space Run df -lh to check, clean up old files

Additional Resources