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Are you curious about Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) Free Tier or encountering challenges while setting up your account? You’re not alone. Oracle’s Free Tier offers incredible opportunities to explore cloud computing without upfront costs, but navigating its nuances can be tricky. In this blog, we address the 15 most frequently asked questions, inspired by our recent video guide.
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) Free Tier is a gateway to exploring cloud computing at no cost. If you’re new to OCI or facing challenges in setting up and using it, you’re not alone. Based on extensive experience using the Free Tier and addressing common queries from the community, we’ve compiled this guide to answer frequently asked questions (FAQs) and clear common doubts.
Free Tier vs. Free Trial: What’s the Difference?
- Free Trial: Offers $300 in credits valid for 30 days to explore paid services.
- Free Tier: Provides lifetime access to Always Free services like Autonomous Databases, Compute VMs, and Object Storage, even after the trial ends.
💡 Key Tip: Even if you don’t use the $300 credits, your Always Free services will remain available after the 30-day trial.
Which Services Are Always Free?
Oracle offers several Always Free services, including:
- Autonomous Database: 2 instances with 20GB storage each.
- Compute: 2 VMs with up to 1 OCPU and 1GB RAM for AMD-based instances, or 4 VMs using ARM-based A1 cores.
- Storage: Up to 100GB Object Storage, 200GB Block Volume, and more.
To identify Always Free resources:
- Visit the OCI Console ” Click here
- Filter by Tier Type: Always Free to view eligible services.
- Check each service’s limitations for clarity.
Who Can Use OCI Free Tier?
Anyone with a valid debit/credit card can create an OCI Free Tier account. It is open for:
- Personal use.
- Business applications.
- Commercial projects.
⚠️ Limitations:
- Only one account per user.
- Providing correct billing information is essential to avoid account suspension.
Common Issues During Account Creation
Card Not Accepted:
- Use a physical debit/credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or AMEX).
- Avoid prepaid, virtual, or cards with PIN/password protection.
Account Not Created After Payment:
- Ensure no VPN is active.
- Use a new device, internet connection, or email ID to retry.
- Temporary payment holds are reversed within a few days.
How to create Oracle Cloud free tier Account: A Step-by-Step Guide : Click Here
Support for Free Tier Users
Oracle provides limited support for Free Tier accounts:
- Use the Community Forum for troubleshooting.
- Access live chat during the setup process, though response times may vary.
For full support, consider upgrading to a paid account.
How to Avoid Unnecessary Charges?
- Monitor Resources: Use the OCI Console to check usage limits.
- Set Budgets: In the Billing and Cost Management section, create a monthly budget to receive alerts if costs exceed expectations.
- Do Not Upgrade: Avoid clicking on “Upgrade” prompts unless you wish to transition to paid services.
What Projects Can You Build with the Free Tier?
The Free Tier supports a variety of applications:
- Hosting WordPress websites for personal or commercial use.
- Running PHP, Node.js, or Express-based applications.
- Deploying game servers like Counter-Strike or community platforms like Discourse.
- Experimenting with Oracle’s developer tutorials for unique use cases.
More detailed blogs are available on : Oracle developers blog
Addressing Free Tier Myths
Many wonder why Oracle offers such a generous Free Tier. The strategy, as outlined by experts, is simple:
- Familiarize users with Oracle’s ecosystem.
- Encourage future upgrades to paid services as businesses grow.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Inactive Instances:
Instances may become inactive if left unused. Reactivate them via the console or create new VMs using the same boot volume.Out-of-Capacity Errors:
- Retry creating resources in a different availability domain.
- Be patient; new capacity may take days or weeks to add.
Dashboard Errors:
- Log out, clear cookies, or switch browsers to resolve.
Conclusion: Maximizing Oracle Free Tier
The OCI Free Tier is an excellent resource for learning, experimenting, and building projects without incurring costs. By following these tips, you can avoid common pitfalls and leverage the platform effectively.
💡 Pro Tip: Explore Oracle’s Developer Blogs and Community Tutorials to discover creative ways to utilize your Free Tier resources.
👉 Start your cloud journey with Oracle Free Tier today and unlock endless possibilities!
For more details on oracle cloud free tier FAQ visit the Oracle FAQ site here
