I've read the free tier limited resource documentation at: https://docs.oracle.com/en-us/iaas/Content/FreeTier/freetier_topic-Always_Free_Resources.htm
I see that the free tier has 2 shapes, VM.Standard.E2.1.Micro and VM.Standard.A1.Flex. The documentation states that the VM.Standard.A1.Flex with the free tier has 4 OCPUs and 24 GB of RAM. I tried creating a VM instance with 2 OCPU configuration and 12GB RAM but in my Instances list, that VM doesn't have the "Always Free" badage (please see image). Why so?
https://i.imgur.com/atvMhSm.png I check on the "Limits, Quotas and Usage" page, I no longer see a limit on the maximum number of Instances, instead limiting the resources of shapes. Is it true that there is no longer a limit to the number of instances for the free tier?
I still don't really understand the VM.Standard.A1.Flex shape. Even though it says "All tenancies get the first 3,000 OCPU hours and 18,000 GB hours per month" on the Always Free Resources page, I still don't understand how it is calculated? And "first" here means if I use less than or equal to 3,000 OCPU hours and 18,000 GB hours in that month will I not be charged (if it correct, please show me how to calculator it) or is it only free for the first month after creating instance? Next, they says "For Always Free tenancies, this is equivalent to 4 OCPUs and 24 GB of memory." that means if i create and use instances using shape VM.Standard.A1.Flex, the sum of OCPUs and RAM of all instances using shape VM.Standard.A1.Flex on my account is less than or equal to 4 OCPUs and 24 GB of memory can I use it for free without any extra fees?
Is the exact Block Volume for the free tier currently 200GB or 100GB? I remember that before, I read in the document about the limit of 10 TB network egress (outgoing traffic) / all instances / month saying that Block Volume for free tier is 100GB, but at Always Free Resources page it says 200GB . I am still wondering about this. Which document is correct? Is 100 GB or 200 GB correct?
The questions can be long (and silly), but it will provide me with a lot of knowledge.
Thanks for your answers!