Unlock a Free High-Powered Server with Oracle Cloud: A Step-by-Step Guide

Imagine running a robust Linux server with 24GB of RAM, 4 CPUs, and 200GB of storage—completely free, forever. Sounds too good to be true? It’s not. With Oracle Cloud’s Always Free Tier, you can access enterprise-grade resources without ever worrying about hidden costs. Whether you’re a developer, student, or tech enthusiast, this guide will show you how to set up your own free server step by step.

Why Oracle Cloud?

While popular platforms like AWS and Google Cloud offer free trials, they eventually expire, leaving you with unexpected bills. Oracle Cloud’s Always Free Tier is different:

  • Lifetime Access: No expiration dates or surprise charges.
  • Powerful Specifications: Includes 24GB RAM, 4 CPUs, and 200GB storage—enough for hosting backends, running databases, or experimenting with demanding projects.
  • Reliability: A stable environment for both personal and production-level tasks.

Step 1: Registering on Oracle Cloud

  1. Visit the Website
    Head over to Oracle Cloud and click Sign Up.
  2. Provide Your Details
    • Enter a valid email address.
    • Submit your credit card information (for verification only—no charges will be applied).
  3. Complete Registration
    • Verify your email and follow the guided steps to finish signing up.
    • Once registered, access the Oracle Cloud Dashboard—your command center for creating and managing resources.

Step 2: Setting Up Your Free Server

  1. Navigate to Compute Instances
    • In the dashboard, go to Compute > Instances.
    • Click Create Instance.
  2. Configure Your Instance
    • Choose an Always Free option. These are clearly marked in the interface.
    • Select Ubuntu as your operating system for its user-friendliness and broad community support.
  3. Download Your SSH Keys
    • These keys are essential for accessing your server. Save them securely.
  4. Adjust Storage
    • Allocate up to 200GB for your boot volume.
  5. Create the Instance
    • Click Create and wait a few minutes for the system to set up your server.

Step 3: Accessing Your Server

Once your instance is live, you can log in using SSH. Here’s how:

  1. Open your terminal.
  2. Use the following command (replace placeholders with your file paths and IP address): ssh -i /path/to/private/key ubuntu@<your-public-IP>
  3. Hit Enter, and you’re in!

Step 4: Securing Your Server

Security is crucial when managing a server. Here are some quick tips:

  1. Enable a Firewall sudo ufw allow OpenSSH sudo ufw enable
  2. Install Fail2Ban
    Protect against brute-force attacks: sudo apt install fail2ban
  3. Create Backups
    Regularly back up your data to avoid unexpected losses.

Bonus Tips

  • Explore Cyber Flows Academy
    Take your skills to the next level with courses on ethical hacking, server hardening, and bug bounty hunting.
  • Leverage Your Server
    Use it for hosting applications, learning Linux, or running resource-heavy projects.

Conclusion

With Oracle Cloud’s Always Free Tier, you can have a powerful server at your fingertips without spending a dime. Follow this guide to set up your server today and enjoy the freedom to experiment, learn, and build without financial constraints. Happy hacking!

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