Install Jenkins on AWS EC2

Why Docker on EC2?

Installing Jenkins on an AWS EC2 instance with Docker offers portability, easier setup, and better control over dependencies compared to packages or .war files.

EC2 setup

Step 1 — Launch an EC2 instance

1. AWS Console → EC2 Dashboard → Launch instance

2. Configure:
   • Name: jenkins-server
   • AMI: Ubuntu Server 22.04
   • Instance type: t2.medium
   • Storage: 20 GB minimum
   • Key pair: Create or select an existing one
3. Security Group — Edit inbound rules:
   • SSH — port 22 (your IP preferred)
   • Custom TCP — port 8080 (Jenkins UI)

4. Click Launch instance

Step 2 — Connect to EC2

Once the instance is running:

1. Select the instance → Connect
2. Use EC2 Instance Connect (browser terminal) or SSH with your .pem key
3. Copy the public IP — you will need it for the Jenkins URL

Step 3 — Update the system

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 4 — Install Docker

# Install Docker
sudo apt install docker.io -y
 
# Start & enable Docker
sudo systemctl start docker
sudo systemctl enable docker
 
# Add ubuntu user to docker group
sudo usermod -aG docker ubuntu
 
# Apply group changes
newgrp docker

Verify:

docker --version

Step 5 — Run Jenkins with Docker

docker run -d \
  --name jenkins \
  -p 8080:8080 \
  -p 50000:50000 \
  -p 3001:3001 \
  -v jenkins_home:/var/jenkins_home \
  jenkins/jenkins:lts

Docker pulls the Jenkins LTS image automatically on first run.

Step 6 — Get the initial admin password

docker exec jenkins cat /var/jenkins_home/secrets/initialAdminPassword

Copy this password — you will paste it into Jenkins next. Keep the terminal open.

Step 7 — Access Jenkins

Open a browser:

http://<your-ec2-public-ip>:8080

1. On Unlock Jenkins, paste the password → Continue

2. Choose Install suggested plugins (takes 3–5 minutes)

3. Create your admin user (username, password, email) → Save and Continue

4. Confirm the Jenkins URL → Save and Finish

Step 8 — Verify Jenkins is running

docker ps

You should see the jenkins container Up with ports 8080, 50000, and 3001 mapped.