Can't connect to SQL Server 2014 Express AMI

The AMI contains Windows Server Core Install : https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh846323(v=vs.85).aspx, so seeing only Command Prompt is expected.

By default the network services are disabled on SQL Server. Need to restart network services to be able to reach SQL Server (port 1443) from outside server.

Following is the way to enable the networking service:

1. Use netstat -a -b to verify port 1433 is not LISTENING
2. Run C:\Windows\SysWOW64\SQLServerManager12.msc from cmd.exe to open SQL Server 2014 Configuration Manager
3. Follow Steps in Microsoft Article https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/database-engine/configure-windows/enable-or-disable-a-server-network-protocol?view=sql-server-2017 to check the network status, enable, and restart SQL Server
4. After SQL Server restart, check for port status using netstat -a -b
5. Should be able to connect from other servers after that, off course assuming the port is allowed.

Hope this helps.