AWS free tier overview - Commands & Configuration

Introduction

AWS free tier lets you try many cloud services for free within certain limits. It helps you learn and test without paying. This avoids surprises on your bill while you explore AWS.

When you want to learn AWS cloud services without cost.

When you need to test a small app or website on the cloud.

When you want to explore AWS features before buying.

When you want to practice cloud skills for a job interview.

When you want to run a small database or server for free.

Commands

This command creates a new S3 bucket named 'my-free-tier-bucket' to store files. It uses the free tier limits for storage.

Terminal

aws s3 mb s3://my-free-tier-bucket

Expected Output

make_bucket: my-free-tier-bucket

This command launches one EC2 instance of type t2.micro, which is free tier eligible. It uses a common Amazon Linux image.

Terminal

aws ec2 run-instances --image-id ami-0c94855ba95c71c99 --count 1 --instance-type t2.micro --key-name my-key --security-groups my-sg

Expected Output

{

    "Instances": [

        {

            "InstanceId": "i-1234567890abcdef0",

            "ImageId": "ami-0c94855ba95c71c99",

            "InstanceType": "t2.micro",

            "State": {

                "Code": 0,

                "Name": "pending"

            }

        }

    ]

}

→

--instance-type - Specifies the instance size eligible for free tier

→

--count - Number of instances to launch

This command lists your AWS Lambda functions. Lambda has a free tier with monthly compute time and requests.

Terminal

aws lambda list-functions

Expected Output

{

    "Functions": []

}

Key Concept

If you remember nothing else, remember: AWS free tier lets you use specific small resources free for 12 months or always, so you can learn and test without cost.

Common Mistakes

Launching EC2 instances larger than t2.micro

Larger instances are not free tier eligible and will incur charges.

Always choose t2.micro or other free tier eligible instance types when testing.

Not deleting resources after testing

Resources left running can generate charges after free tier limits or period ends.

Delete or stop resources when done to avoid unexpected costs.

Assuming all AWS services are free tier eligible

Only specific services and usage amounts qualify for free tier.

Check AWS free tier details before using a service to avoid charges.

Summary

Use AWS free tier to try cloud services without cost within limits.

Create small resources like t2.micro EC2 instances and S3 buckets to stay free.

Always monitor and delete resources to avoid charges after free tier ends.