☁ Amazon Web Services (AWS)
AWS Account Setup
Create your first AWS account, set up billing alerts, and enable MFA. The foundation for everything.
EC2 Instances
Launch your first virtual server. Choose instance types, security groups, and key pairs.
S3 Storage
Object storage for files, backups, and static websites. Set up buckets with proper permissions.
VPC Networking
Build custom virtual networks with subnets, route tables, and internet gateways.
RDS Databases
Managed MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQL Server. Automated backups, scaling, and multi-AZ deployments.
EKS Kubernetes
Container orchestration at scale. Deploy, manage, and scale containerized applications.
🛠 Quick Start: Launch an EC2 Instance
Create an SSH Key Pair
Go to EC2 > Key Pairs > Create. Download the .pem file and secure it.
Launch the Instance
Use the AWS CLI or console to launch an Amazon Linux 2023 or Ubuntu instance.
Connect via SSH
Use your key to connect to the instance's public IP.
Set Up Billing Alerts
Go to Billing > Budgets > Create a budget. Set a $10 threshold to avoid surprises.
💡 Cost Saving Tip
Use Spot Instances for up to 90% savings on EC2. Perfect for batch jobs, CI/CD, and development environments. Use Savings Plans for production workloads with predictable usage.
🌐 Microsoft Azure
Azure Account Setup
Create an Azure account with $200 free credit. Set up subscriptions and cost management.
Virtual Machines
Deploy Windows or Linux VMs. Choose sizes, configure networking, and manage with Azure Portal.
Azure Blob Storage
Scalable object storage for any data type. Hot, cool, and archive tiers for cost optimization.
Azure Virtual Networks
Configure VNets, subnets, NSGs, and VPN gateways. Connect on-premises with ExpressRoute.
Azure SQL Database
Managed SQL Server with auto-tuning, threat detection, and elastic pools for multi-tenant apps.
Azure Kubernetes Service
Enterprise-grade Kubernetes with Azure DevOps integration, monitoring, and auto-scaling.
🛠 Quick Start: Deploy a VM with Azure CLI
Install Azure CLI
Create a Resource Group
Create a Virtual Machine
Open Port 80 for Web Traffic
💡 Azure Hybrid Benefit
Have Windows Server or SQL Server licenses? Use Azure Hybrid Benefit to save up to 85% on VM costs by reusing your existing licenses.
🔥 Oracle Cloud (OCI)
OCI Account Setup
Free tier includes always-free VMs, 200GB storage, and $300 credit for 30 days. Best free tier available.
Compute Instances
AMD E4 or ARM Ampere A1 instances. The always-free ARM instances have 4 OCPUs and 24GB RAM.
Object Storage
Standard and archive storage tiers. 10GB always free. Great for backups and static assets.
VNets & Security Lists
Virtual cloud networks with subnets, route tables, and security lists for firewall rules.
Autonomous Database
Self-tuning, self-patching Oracle DB. Always-free tier includes 2 databases with 20GB each.
OCI Kubernetes Engine
Managed Kubernetes with worker node pools, service mesh, and integration with OCI services.
🛠 Quick Start: Always-Free ARM Instance
Create an OCI Account
Sign up at cloud.oracle.com. You need a credit card for verification but won't be charged on the free tier.
Generate an SSH Key
Create an ARM Instance (Always Free)
In OCI Console: Compute > Instances > Create. Select VM.Standard.A1.Flex with 4 OCPUs and 24GB RAM. This is always free.
Connect
💡 Best Free Tier in Cloud
OCI's always-free tier includes 4 ARM Ampere A1 OCPUs + 24GB RAM, 2 Autonomous Databases, and 200GB block storage. Run a full homelab for $0.
📈 Compare Cloud Providers
| Feature | AWS | Azure | Oracle Cloud |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Tier VM | 750 hrs/mo t2.micro (12 mo) | 750 hrs/mo B1s (12 mo) | Always free ARM A1 (4 OCPU/24GB) |
| Free Storage | 5GB S3 (12 mo) | 5GB Blob (12 mo) | 200GB Block + 10GB Object (always) |
| Free Database | 25GB RDS (12 mo) | 250GB SQL DB (12 mo) | 2x Autonomous DB 20GB (always) |
| Free Credit | $0 | $200 (30 days) | $300 (30 days) |
| Kubernetes | EKS ($0.10/hr control plane) | AKS (control plane free) | OKE (control plane free) |
| Serverless | Lambda (1M requests free/mo) | Functions (1M exec free/mo) | Functions (10M exec free/mo) |
| CDN | CloudFront (1TB free/12 mo) | Front Door (free tier) | ION (10TB free/mo) |
| AI/ML | SageMaker, Bedrock | OpenAI, Cognitive Services | AI Services, OCI Data Science |
| Console | Complex but powerful | Enterprise-friendly | Clean, modern UI |
| Best For | Startups, scale-ups | Enterprise, Microsoft stack | Free tier, Oracle DB, cost savings |
💡 Which Should You Choose?
Beginners: Start with OCI for the generous free tier.
Startups: AWS has the most services and community.
Enterprise: Azure integrates best with Microsoft 365 and Active Directory.
Multi-cloud: Use Terraform to manage all three with one tool.