Adjusting vCPU allocations dynamically without affecting free tier eligibility depends on the cloud provider you are using. Here's a breakdown for some major providers:
- AWS: In AWS, the free tier typically includes burstable instances like t2.micro, which have a limited vCPU capacity. If you need more vCPUs, you can request a limit increase, but this might not be covered under the free tier. You can launch multiple instances within the free tier limits, but exceeding these limits may incur charges[2][4].
- Google Cloud: Google Cloud offers dynamic resource management, which efficiently allocates vCPUs based on demand. However, free tier eligibility is not explicitly mentioned in this context. You can manage resources dynamically, but specific free tier limitations would apply to the types of instances and resources you use[5].
- VMware (ESXi): In VMware environments, dynamic vCPU allocation (hot-add) is supported in certain editions and guest OSes. This feature allows adjusting vCPU allocation while the VM is running, but it does not directly relate to free tier eligibility since VMware is typically used in on-premises or paid cloud environments[1].
In summary, dynamic vCPU allocation is possible in various cloud environments, but maintaining free tier eligibility often requires staying within predefined limits. If you need more resources, you may need to request limit increases or consider paid options.
Citations:
[1] https://community.broadcom.com/vmware-cloud-foundation/discussion/cani-dynamically-change-the-vcpu-allocation-to-the-vm
[2] https://repost.aws/questions/QUovu-6ocXT6i1139l6VVEyw/reg-vcpu-capacity-limit-in-free-tier-t2-micro
[3] https://www.alibabacloud.com/tech-news/a/cpu-virtualization/guvey4c2pu-dynamic-cpu-allocation-in-virtualization
[4] https://repost.aws/questions/QUSHASTA-iQFKur95RvjdUSw/vcpu-capacity-limit-in-free-tier
[5] https://cloud.google.com/compute/docs/dynamic-resource-management
[6] https://cloud.google.com/compute/docs/instances/signing-up-committed-use-discounts
[7] https://docs.oracle.com/en/virtualization/oracle-vm-server-sparc/ldoms-admin/using-dynamic-resource-management.html
[8] https://stackoverflow.com/questions/68347900/you-have-requested-more-vcpu-capacity-than-your-current-vcpu-limit-of-0