Creating an Oracle OCI Account in the Free Tier for Kubernetes Lab

Introduction

Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) offers a free tier that provides access to various services, including virtual machines, storage, and networking resources. These resources are ideal for setting up a Kubernetes lab for experimentation and learning. This guide outlines the steps to create an Oracle OCI account and configure it for Kubernetes.

Step 1: Visit Oracle Cloud Free Tier Page

  1. Open your browser and navigate to the Oracle Cloud Free Tier page .
  2. Click on the Start for Free button.

Step 2: Fill Out the Registration Form

  1. Enter your personal details, including:
  • Name
  • Email Address (ensure it’s valid as you’ll need to verify it later)
  • Password (must meet the password requirements displayed)
  1. Provide your country/region (USA/ CA San Jose) .
  2. Agree to the terms and conditions by checking the corresponding box.
  3. Click Next to proceed.

Step 3: Enter Account and Address Information

  1. Fill in your company name (use “Individual” if you’re registering personally).
  2. Provide your address and phone number.
  3. Verify the entered information and click Next .

Step 4: Verify Your Email Address

  1. Check your email for a verification message from Oracle.
  2. Click the verification link in the email.
  3. After verification, return to the registration process in your browser.

Step 5: Add Payment Information

  1. Provide a valid credit or debit card to complete the registration. Note:
  • Oracle uses this for identity verification.
  • No charges will be made for free-tier resources.
  1. Review your payment details and click Next .

Step 6: Confirm and Create Your Account

  1. Review all entered information.
  2. Click Create Account .
  3. Oracle will display a confirmation message and start setting up your account.

Step 7: Log In to Oracle OCI Console

  1. After your account is created, log in at Oracle Cloud Console .
  2. Use the email and password you registered with.
  3. Complete any additional onboarding steps provided by Oracle.

Step 8: Access Free Tier Resources

Once logged in, you can access the free-tier services:

  1. Navigate to Compute to set up virtual machines.
  2. Use Networking for creating Virtual Cloud Networks (VCNs).
  3. Explore other free services such as object storage and monitoring tools.

Tips for Kubernetes Lab Setup

  • Use the Always Free compute instances (e.g., Ampere A1 or AMD E2) for your Kubernetes nodes.
  • Ensure your Virtual Cloud Network (VCN) and subnets are properly configured.
  • Utilize the Always Free Load Balancer for external access to your Kubernetes cluster.
  • Take advantage of Oracle’s documentation for detailed Kubernetes installation and configuration guides.