Oracle Cloud Free Tier – How to get started

The Oracle Cloud Free Tier offers:

• Infrastructure Services: Including up to two virtual machines, two autonomous databases, and 100 GB of block volume storage.
• Platform Services include container engine, application development, and data integration.
• Software Services: Includes analytics, security, and management tools.
• Developer Tools: Access to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure API, SDKs, and CLI.

This tier is designed to help users explore and learn about Oracle Cloud, with certain usage and duration limits.

Introduction to Oracle Cloud Free Tier

Oracle Cloud Free Tier is an innovative offering from Oracle designed to give users a hands-on experience with Oracle’s cloud services without any initial investment.

It is a unique blend of two components:

1. Always Free Services: These services are perpetually free and include essential cloud resources. Key offerings under this category comprise:
   • Compute VMs: AMD and Arm-based virtual machines provide flexible and scalable computing power.
   • Block Volume and Object Storage: Essential storage solutions for various data and application needs.
   • Autonomous Databases: These include Autonomous Data Warehouse, Transaction Processing, and JSON Database, offering powerful, self-managing database capabilities.
2. 30-day Free Trial: Alongside the Always Free services, Oracle Cloud Free Tier includes a 30-day trial period, where users receive up to $300 in cloud credits. These credits can be utilized across a wide range of Oracle Cloud services, including:
   • Databases: To manage, store, and process data efficiently.
   • Compute Services: For running applications and workloads in the cloud.
   • Container Engine for Kubernetes: For orchestrating and managing containerized applications.

Understanding Oracle Cloud Free Tier Offerings

The Oracle Cloud Free Tier is designed to cater to a variety of computing needs, offering a comprehensive range of services that include:

• AMD and Arm-based Compute VMs: These virtual machines provide the flexibility to run applications and services efficiently in the cloud.
• Block Volume and Object Storage: Reliable storage solutions essential for data backup, archiving, and other storage needs.
• Autonomous Databases: Self-managing, self-securing, and self-repairing database services that reduce administrative complexity.

The 30-Day Free Trial further enhances the Oracle Cloud experience by providing:

• $300 of Cloud Credits: These credits can be used to explore a wider range of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure services, allowing businesses and individuals to test and evaluate Oracle’s offerings.

Oracle Cloud Free Tier – Compute Power

The key compute instances available in the Oracle Cloud Free Tier include:

1. AMD-based Compute VMs: These are virtual machine instances based on AMD processors, offering a balance of compute, memory, and networking resources for various applications and workloads.
2. Arm-based Ampere A1 Compute: These instances use Arm-based processors and are particularly suited for scale-out workloads, web servers, and application development environments. They offer flexibility in terms of OCPU and memory allocation.
3. Block, Object, and Archive Storage: In addition to compute instances, the Free Tier includes storage options like Block Volume for persistent storage, Object Storage for data storage, and Archive Storage for long-term data retention.
4. Load Balancers: Oracle Cloud Free Tier provides access to flexible and network load balancers, essential for distributing incoming network traffic across multiple servers.

Sign up for Oracle Cloud Free Tier

To begin using Oracle Cloud Free Tier, follow these steps:

1. Registration Process: Visit Oracle’s sign-up page for the Free Tier and fill in the required information.
2. Verification Requirements: As part of the sign-up process, you must provide a mobile phone number and credit card details for identity verification. Note that your credit card will not be charged for using the Always Free services.

Oracle Cloud Free Tier is a gateway to experiencing the full range of Oracle’s cloud capabilities without immediate financial commitment.

Getting Started with Oracle Cloud Free Tier

To begin exploring the capabilities of the Oracle Cloud Free Tier, follow these essential steps:

1. Steps for Sign Up:
   • Visit the Sign-Up Page: Navigate to the Oracle Cloud Free Tier sign-up page.
   • Fill in the Registration Form: Enter your personal details, including your name, email address, and other relevant information.
   • Verify Your Email: Look for a verification email from Oracle and follow the instructions to confirm your email address.
2. Requirements:
   • Mobile Phone Number: Required for account verification and security purposes.
   • Credit Card Information: Needed for identity verification. Rest assured, your card won’t be charged for accessing the Always Free services.

Maximizing Benefits from Oracle Cloud Free Tier

To make the most out of the Oracle Cloud Free Tier, consider these top recommendations and key considerations:

1. Top 5 Recommendations:
   • Explore Diverse Services: Take advantage of the range of services available, including compute instances, storage options, and databases.
   • Monitor Your Usage: To ensure you stay within the free tier limits.
   • Utilize Learning Resources: Oracle offers tutorials and documentation to help you get started and maximize the use of their services.
   • Experiment with Different Configurations: Use this opportunity to test different configurations and understand how they work.
   • Plan for Possible Upgrades: Consider how you might scale your projects if you decide to upgrade to paid services in the future.
2. Key Considerations:
   • Understand the Limitations: Be aware of the limitations of the free tier to avoid unexpected charges.
   • Security Practices: Ensure you follow best practices, even in a free-tier environment.
   • Regularly Review the Account: Periodically check your account for any updates or changes in terms and conditions.

Oracle Cloud Free Tier FAQs

In this section, we address some of the most common questions about the Oracle Cloud Free Tier:

1. Is the Free Tier Free? Yes, Oracle offers an Always Free tier with no charges. However, it’s important to understand the limits to avoid additional costs.
2. What Happens After the 30-Day Free Trial? After the 30-day trial, you can continue to use the Always Free services. Any other services utilized during the trial will be deactivated unless you upgrade to a paid account.
3. Can I Upgrade to a Paid Account Later? Absolutely. You can upgrade to a paid account anytime to access a broader range of Oracle Cloud services.
4. Are There Any Hidden Costs? The Always Free tier has no hidden costs, but staying within the specified usage limits is crucial.
5. What Services Are Included in the Oracle Cloud Free Tier? The Free Tier includes services like AMD and Arm-based Compute VMs, Block Volume, Object Storage, and Autonomous Databases.
6. How do I upgrade from the Free Tier to a paid plan?
   Access your Oracle Cloud account, navigate to the account management section, and select the option to upgrade to a paid subscription. Follow the prompts to complete the process.
7. Can I use Oracle Cloud Free Tier for commercial purposes?
   Yes, the Oracle Cloud Free Tier can be used for commercial purposes, but be mindful of the usage limits to avoid service interruptions or the need to upgrade to a paid plan.
8. What happens if I exceed the usage limits of the Free Tier?
   If you exceed the Free Tier limits, Oracle Cloud may stop the service until the next billing cycle, or you may be automatically upgraded to a paid plan if you’ve provided billing information.
9. Is customer support included in the Oracle Cloud Free Tier?
   Basic customer support is included, but access to more comprehensive support services may require a subscription to a paid support plan.
10. How do I monitor my usage to stay within the Free Tier limits?
    Oracle Cloud provides monitoring tools within the console that allow you to track your usage against the Free Tier limits. Regularly check these to manage your consumption.
11. Can I access all regions with the Oracle Cloud Free Tier?
    The Free Tier is available in multiple Oracle Cloud regions, but some services or resources might be region-specific. Check the Oracle Cloud documentation for details on regional availability.
12. Are there any hidden costs associated with the Oracle Cloud Free Tier?
    There are no hidden costs, but it’s important to understand the usage limits and the costs of exceeding those limits or using services not included in the Free Tier.
13. How do I cancel my Oracle Cloud Free Tier account if I no longer need it?
    To cancel your account, log into your Oracle Cloud account, navigate to the account settings, and follow the instructions for account closure.
14. What types of projects are best suited for the Oracle Cloud Free Tier?
    The Free Tier is suited for small-scale applications, development, testing, and educational projects that require cloud resources without a significant investment.
15. How often does Oracle update the offerings included in the Free Tier?
    Oracle periodically updates its cloud offerings, including the Free Tier, but specific timelines for updates are not predetermined. Keep an eye on Oracle announcements for updates.