AWS free tier overview - Step-by-Step Execution

Process Flow - AWS free tier overview

Start AWS Free Tier

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Sign up for AWS Account

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Activate Free Tier Benefits

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Use Eligible Services

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Track Usage Limits

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Free Tier Ends or Limits Exceeded

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Pay for Extra Usage or Stop

This flow shows how a user starts with AWS Free Tier, uses eligible services within limits, and either continues free or pays after limits.

Execution Sample

AWS

Sign up AWS account
Activate Free Tier
Use EC2 t2.micro instance
Use S3 storage
Monitor usage
Stop or pay if limits exceeded

This sequence shows the main steps a user takes to use AWS Free Tier services and monitor usage.

Process Table

Step	Action	Service Used	Usage Amount	Free Tier Limit	Status
1	Sign up AWS account	N/A	N/A	N/A	Free Tier activated
2	Launch EC2 instance	EC2 t2.micro	750 hours/month	750 hours/month	Within free tier
3	Store files in S3	S3 Standard Storage	5 GB	5 GB	Within free tier
4	Use Lambda functions	AWS Lambda	1 million requests	1 million requests	Within free tier
5	Monitor usage	All services	Check usage	Check limits	No overuse
6	Use EC2 extra hours	EC2 t2.micro	800 hours/month	750 hours/month	Exceeded free tier, pay applies
7	Stop or pay	EC2	N/A	N/A	Billing starts for extra usage

💡 User exceeds free tier limits at step 6, so billing starts for extra usage.

Status Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 2	After Step 3	After Step 4	After Step 6	Final
EC2 Hours Used	0	750	750	750	800	800
S3 Storage Used (GB)	0	0	5	5	5	5
Lambda Requests	0	0	0	1000000	1000000	1000000
Billing Status	No charges	No charges	No charges	No charges	Charges apply	Charges apply

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why does billing start even though I am using the EC2 t2.micro instance?

Because the free tier limit for EC2 is 750 hours per month. In step 6, usage reached 800 hours, exceeding the free tier limit, so billing starts as shown in the execution_table.

Can I use multiple services at the same time and still stay in the free tier?

Yes, as long as the combined usage of each service stays within its free tier limits. The execution_table shows usage for EC2, S3, and Lambda all within limits before step 6.

What happens if I stop using services before exceeding limits?

You remain within the free tier and no charges apply. The execution_table step 5 shows monitoring usage with no overuse, so no billing occurs.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, at which step does EC2 usage exceed the free tier limit?

A Step 6

B Step 4

C Step 3

D Step 2

💡 Hint

Check the 'EC2 Hours Used' and 'Free Tier Limit' columns in execution_table rows.

According to variable_tracker, what is the billing status after step 4?

A Charges apply

B No charges

C Unknown

D Pending

💡 Hint

Look at the 'Billing Status' row in variable_tracker after step 4.

If you reduce EC2 usage to 700 hours, how would the execution_table change at step 6?

A Status would be 'Exceeded free tier'

B Billing starts immediately

C Status would be 'Within free tier'

D No change

💡 Hint

Compare EC2 usage with free tier limit in execution_table step 6.

Concept Snapshot

AWS Free Tier Overview:
- Sign up for AWS account to activate free tier.
- Use eligible services within monthly limits (e.g., 750 EC2 hours, 5 GB S3).
- Monitor usage to avoid charges.
- Exceeding limits leads to billing.
- Free tier lasts 12 months or until limits exceeded.

Full Transcript

AWS Free Tier lets new users try AWS services for free within set limits. After signing up, users can launch services like EC2 instances or store data in S3 up to monthly free limits. Usage is tracked to ensure it stays within free tier. If usage exceeds limits, billing starts for extra usage. Users should monitor usage to avoid unexpected charges. The free tier typically lasts 12 months from account creation.