Build an n8n Automation Server with OCI’s Always Free Tier: A Step-by-Step Guide

Build an n8n Automation Server with OCI’s Always Free Tier: A Step-by-Step Guide

automation
January 16, 2025•2 min read

How to Build an n8n Automation Server Using OCI’s Always Free Tier

Automation can significantly streamline workflows and boost productivity, and n8n is one of the best tools for creating powerful workflows with minimal effort. Combine it with Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI)’s Always Free Tier, and you can run your n8n automation server without spending a dime! This blog will walk you through setting up an n8n server on OCI’s Always Free Tier.

Why Choose OCI’s Always Free Tier for n8n?

Oracle Cloud Infrastructure offers an Always Free Tier that includes resources perfect for hosting lightweight servers like n8n. Some of the key features include:

  • Compute Instances: 2 VMs with up to 1 GB memory each.

  • Block Storage: 200 GB total, ideal for storing workflows and logs.

  • Object Storage: Store your backups and exports.

  • Load Balancer: Manage traffic efficiently.

  • Networking: Free egress bandwidth and customizable networking.

Step-by-Step Guide to Deploy n8n on OCI Free Tier

1. Set Up Your OCI Account

  • Visit Oracle Cloud and sign up for the Always Free Tier.

  • Complete the verification process to activate your account.

2. Create a Compute Instance

  • Navigate to the Compute section and create a new virtual machine.

  • Choose the following options:

    • Image: Select Ubuntu 22.04 (or your preferred Linux distribution).

    • Shape: Choose an ARM-based VM with 1 OCPU and 1 GB RAM.

  • Configure your network with a Virtual Cloud Network (VCN) and allow HTTPS and HTTP traffic in the security rules.

3. Install Docker

n8n runs smoothly as a Docker container. SSH into your instance and install Docker:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y  
sudo apt install -y docker.io  
sudo systemctl start docker  
sudo systemctl enable docker

4. Deploy n8n with Docker

Run the following commands to set up n8n:

docker run -d --name n8n -p 5678:5678 \
  -v ~/.n8n:/home/node/.n8n \
  n8nio/n8n

This command will expose n8n on port 5678.

5. Secure Your n8n Server

  • Set up a free SSL certificate using Let’s Encrypt and a reverse proxy like NGINX.

  • Create a custom domain or subdomain for your n8n server.

6. Automate with n8n

  • Access your n8n instance via the browser at http://<your-instance-IP>:5678.

  • Start building workflows to automate your processes.

Key Tips for Optimal Performance

  • Use OCI Object Storage to back up your workflows regularly.

  • Monitor your instance’s usage to ensure it stays within the Always Free limits.

  • Set up an OCI Load Balancer for handling multiple requests efficiently.

Conclusion

With n8n and OCI’s Always Free Tier, you can set up a robust, cost-effective automation server that scales with your needs. Whether you're automating business processes or managing personal projects, this setup is a powerful combination of flexibility and affordability.

💡 Ready to start? Sign up for OCI’s Free Tier today and launch your n8n server!

Have questions or need assistance? Share them in the comments below!

#n8n #Automation #OracleCloud #OCI #NoCode

Back to Blog