Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), the cloud computing service of Oracle Corporation, provides compute, storage, and networking services through its data centers in 22 countries and 34 locations around the world. Growth in Oracle Cloud regions and the company’s core products and platforms, such as Oracle Autonomous Database, MySQL HeatWave, Java, and Oracle Middleware, are driving the company’s need for more data center capacity.
In total, Oracle Cloud operates or is developing 57 data centers around the world. These data centers support Oracle’s current and planned 49 cloud regions – a physical location where it clusters data centers – that are highly available, fault-tolerant, and very unlikely to fail simultaneously.
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) typically charges a prepaid fee that gradually decreases as its OCI services are consumed by a customer over a defined time period. For the latest quarter, Oracle’s Cloud Revenue, which includes IaaS and SaaS, reached $3.6 billion, an increase of 45% year-over-year. Therefore, on an annualized basis, Oracle Cloud produces $14.4 billion of revenue.
Dgtl Infra reviews Oracle Cloud’s regions, availability zones, and data centers which support its rapidly growing cloud computing business, with a focus on the company’s existing infrastructure locations and where future deployments will be built.
How Many Data Centers Does Oracle Cloud Have?
Oracle Cloud currently has 40 regions in operation and a further 9 under development, meaning that the company will have a total of 49 regions available in the near-term.
Each Oracle Cloud region is composed of 1 to 3 isolated and physically separate data centers with distinct physical infrastructure (i.e., power, cooling, and networking), known by Oracle as availability domains, and commonly referred to by other cloud service providers as availability zones. These availability domains within the same region are connected to each other by a low-latency, high-bandwidth network.
Ultimately, Oracle plans to establish at least two geographically distributed cloud regions in every country where it operates. To this end, in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, South Korea, Japan, Brazil, India, Australia, and United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oracle already has established two separate cloud regions.
Availability Domains
Presently, Oracle Cloud has 48 availability domains in operation and a further 9 under development, meaning that the company will have a total of 57 availability domains existing in the near-term.
Because availability domains are isolated from each other, they are fault tolerant, and very unlikely to fail simultaneously. Furthermore, given that availability domains do not share infrastructure – such as power and cooling, a failure at one availability domain within a region is unlikely to impact the availability of the others within the same region.
Oracle Cloud Regions and Availability Domains
Below is an illustration of the layout of an Oracle Cloud region, which has three availability domains.
Oracle Cloud’s availability domains make it possible for customers to provide high-availability connectivity to the internet and on-premise, and to build replicated systems in multiple availability domains for both high-availability and disaster recovery.
Benefits of Oracle Cloud
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) offers customers high-performance, scalable, cost-effective and secure infrastructure that is designed to be rapidly deployable and provide real-time elasticity. Simultaneously, Oracle Cloud enables customers to reduce the amount of time and resources normally consumed by IT processes within on-premise data centers.
READ MORE: On-Premise to Cloud Migration – Benefits and Challenges
Customers use Oracle Cloud to build and operate new cloud-native applications, run new workloads, and move their existing Oracle or non-Oracle workloads to Oracle Cloud from their on-premise data centers or from other cloud-based IT environments.
To this end, Oracle Cloud is designed to be differentiated from other cloud service providers (CSPs) by providing better security and separating cloud control code computers from customer data compute nodes.
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Most notably, Oracle Cloud competes for customers with the following cloud service providers (CSPs): Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.
READ MORE: Amazon Web Services (AWS) Data Center Locations
READ MORE: Microsoft Azure’s Data Center Locations
READ MORE: Google Cloud’s Data Center Locations
Where Are Oracle Cloud’s Data Centers Located?
Oracle Cloud’s regions and availability domains (also known as availability zones) are physical locations where the company clusters data centers around the world. Below is a summary of Oracle Cloud’s – operating and future – 49 regions and 57 availability zones throughout the United States, Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, as well as in the Middle East and Africa.
United States
In the United States, Oracle Cloud operates or is planning 9 regions and 13 availability zones. Specifically, Oracle operates facilities in the following markets: Ashburn, Virginia; Phoenix, Arizona; San Jose, California; and Chicago, Illinois.
Segmenting the United States further, Oracle Cloud divides its regions into Commercial and Government, which itself comprises U.S. Government and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
Regions
Within these markets, Oracle Cloud operates data centers in the following regions: US East (Ashburn), known as us-ashburn-1; US West (Phoenix), known as us-phoenix-1; US West (San Jose), known as us-sanjose-1; US Gov East (Ashburn), known as us-langley-1; US Gov West (Phoenix), known as us-luke-1; US DoD East (Ashburn), known as us-gov-ashburn-1; US DoD North (Chicago), known as us-gov-chicago-1; and US DoD West (Phoenix), known as us-gov-phoenix-1. While Oracle will be opening its next United States Commercial data center region in Chicago, Illinois.
United States – Regions and Availability Zones
| Regions | Code | # of Zones | Location | State |
| US East (Ashburn) | us-ashburn-1 | 3 | Ashburn | Virginia |
| US West (Phoenix) | us-phoenix-1 | 3 | Phoenix | Arizona |
| US West (San Jose) | us-sanjose-1 | 1 | San Jose | California |
| US Gov East (Ashburn) | us-langley-1 | 1 | Ashburn | Virginia |
| US Gov West (Phoenix) | us-luke-1 | 1 | Phoenix | Arizona |
| US DoD East (Ashburn) | us-gov-ashburn-1 | 1 | Ashburn | Virginia |
| US DoD North (Chicago) | us-gov-chicago-1 | 1 | Chicago | Illinois |
| US DoD West (Phoenix) | us-gov-phoenix-1 | 1 | Phoenix | Arizona |
| Chicago | TBD* | 1 | Chicago | Illinois |
| Total | — | 13 | — | — |
Americas
In the Americas, Oracle Cloud operates or is planning 9 regions and 9 availability zones. Particularly, Oracle Cloud is available or will be opening in the following markets: São Paulo, Brazil; Vinhedo, Brazil; Santiago, Chile; Querétaro, Mexico; Toronto, Canada; Montreal, Canada; and Bogotá, Colombia.
Regions
Within these locations, Oracle Cloud operates data centers in the following regions: Brazil East (Sao Paulo), known as sa-saopaulo-1; Brazil Southeast (Vinhedo), known as sa-vinhedo-1; Chile Central (Santiago), known as sa-santiago-1; Mexico Central (Queretaro), known as mx-queretaro-1; Canada Southeast (Toronto), known as ca-toronto-1; and Canada Southeast (Montreal), known as ca-montreal-1. While Oracle will be opening its next Americas data center regions in Santiago, Chile; Querétaro, Mexico; and Bogotá, Colombia.
Americas – Regions and Availability Zones
| Regions | Code | # of Zones | Location | Country |
| Brazil East (Sao Paulo) | sa-saopaulo-1 | 1 | São Paulo | Brazil |
| Brazil Southeast (Vinhedo) | sa-vinhedo-1 | 1 | Vinhedo | Brazil |
| Chile Central (Santiago) | sa-santiago-1 | 1 | Santiago | Chile |
| Mexico Central (Queretaro) | mx-queretaro-1 | 1 | Querétaro | Mexico |
| Canada Southeast (Toronto) | ca-toronto-1 | 1 | Toronto | Canada |
| Canada Southeast (Montreal) | ca-montreal-1 | 1 | Montreal | Canada |
| Chile 2 (Santiago) | TBD* | 1 | Santiago | Chile |
| Mexico | TBD* | 1 | Querétaro | Mexico |
| Colombia (Bogota) | TBD* | 1 | Bogotá | Colombia |
| Total | — | 9 | — | — |
Europe
In Europe, Oracle Cloud operates or is planning 15 regions and 19 availability zones. Presently, Oracle Cloud is available in the following markets: Paris, France; Marseille, France; Frankfurt, Germany; Milan, Italy; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Madrid, Spain; Stockholm, Sweden; Zürich, Switzerland; London, United Kingdom; and Newport, Wales (United Kingdom).
Segmenting Europe further, Oracle Cloud offers two regions in the United Kingdom for the UK Government and is planning on opening two new Sovereign regions for customers across the European Union (EU) in 2023. Oracle’s Sovereign cloud regions will allow organizations within the European Union (EU) to host data and applications that are sensitive, regulated, or of strategic regional importance, for example, to meet in-country data residency requirements like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Regions
Within these markets, Oracle Cloud operates data centers in the following regions: France Central (Paris), known as eu-paris-1; France South (Marseille), known as eu-marseille-1; Germany Central (Frankfurt), known as eu-frankfurt-1; Italy Northwest (Milan), known as eu-milan-1; Netherlands Northwest (Amsterdam), known as eu-amsterdam-1; Spain Central (Madrid), known as eu-madrid-1; Sweden Central (Stockholm), known as eu-stockholm-1; Switzerland North (Zurich), known as eu-zurich-1; UK South (London), known as uk-london-1; UK West (Newport), known as uk-cardiff-1; UK Gov South (London), known as uk-gov-london-1; and UK Gov West (Newport), known as uk-gov-cardiff-1.
While Oracle will be opening its next Europe Sovereign data center regions in Frankfurt, Germany and Madrid, Spain, as well as a new Commercial data center region in Belgrade, Serbia.
Europe – Regions and Availability Zones
| Regions | Code | # of Zones | Location | Country |
| France Central (Paris) | eu-paris-1 | 1 | Paris | France |
| France South (Marseille) | eu-marseille-1 | 1 | Marseille | France |
| Germany Central (Frankfurt) | eu-frankfurt-1 | 3 | Frankfurt | Germany |
| Italy Northwest (Milan) | eu-milan-1 | 1 | Milan | Italy |
| Netherlands Northwest (Amsterdam) | eu-amsterdam-1 | 1 | Amsterdam | Netherlands |
| Spain Central (Madrid) | eu-madrid-1 | 1 | Madrid | Spain |
| Sweden Central (Stockholm) | eu-stockholm-1 | 1 | Stockholm | Sweden |
| Switzerland North (Zurich) | eu-zurich-1 | 1 | Zürich | Switzerland |
| UK South (London) | uk-london-1 | 3 | London | United Kingdom |
| UK West (Newport) | uk-cardiff-1 | 1 | Newport | United Kingdom |
| UK Gov South (London) | uk-gov-london-1 | 1 | London | United Kingdom |
| UK Gov West (Newport) | uk-gov-cardiff-1 | 1 | Newport | United Kingdom |
| Germany (Sovereign) | TBD* | 1 | Frankfurt | Germany |
| Spain (Sovereign) | TBD* | 1 | Madrid | Spain |
| Serbia | TBD* | 1 | Belgrade | Serbia |
| Total | — | 19 | — | — |
Asia Pacific
In Asia Pacific, Oracle Cloud operates 9 regions and 9 availability zones. Specifically, Oracle Cloud is available in the following markets: Sydney, Australia; Melbourne, Australia; Mumbai, India; Hyderabad, India; Tokyo, Japan; Osaka, Japan; Queenstown, Singapore; Seoul, South Korea; and Chuncheon, South Korea.
Regions
Within these locations, Oracle Cloud operates data centers in the following regions: Australia East (Sydney), known as ap-sydney-1; Australia Southeast (Melbourne), known as ap-melbourne-1; India West (Mumbai), known as ap-mumbai-1; India South (Hyderabad), known as ap-hyderabad-1; Japan East (Tokyo), known as ap-tokyo-1; Japan Central (Osaka), known as ap-osaka-1; Singapore (Singapore), known as ap-singapore-1; South Korea Central (Seoul), known as ap-seoul-1; and South Korea North (Chuncheon), known as ap-chuncheon-1.
Asia Pacific – Regions and Availability Zones
| Regions | Code | # of Zones | Location | Country |
| Australia East (Sydney) | ap-sydney-1 | 1 | Sydney | Australia |
| Australia Southeast (Melbourne) | ap-melbourne-1 | 1 | Melbourne | Australia |
| India West (Mumbai) | ap-mumbai-1 | 1 | Mumbai | India |
| India South (Hyderabad) | ap-hyderabad-1 | 1 | Hyderabad | India |
| Japan East (Tokyo) | ap-tokyo-1 | 1 | Tokyo | Japan |
| Japan Central (Osaka) | ap-osaka-1 | 1 | Osaka | Japan |
| Singapore (Singapore) | ap-singapore-1 | 1 | Queenstown | Singapore |
| South Korea Central (Seoul) | ap-seoul-1 | 1 | Seoul | South Korea |
| South Korea North (Chuncheon) | ap-chuncheon-1 | 1 | Chuncheon | South Korea |
| Total | — | 9 | — | — |
Middle East and Africa
In the Middle East and Africa, Oracle Cloud operates or is planning 7 regions and 7 availability zones. Particularly, Oracle Cloud is available or will be opening in the following markets: Jerusalem, Israel; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Johannesburg, South Africa; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Tel Aviv, Israel; and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Regions
Within these markets, Oracle Cloud operates data centers in the following regions: Israel Central (Jerusalem), known as il-jerusalem-1; Saudi Arabia West (Jeddah), known as me-jeddah-1; South Africa Central (Johannesburg), known as af-johannesburg-1; UAE East (Dubai), known as me-dubai-1; and UAE Central (Abu Dhabi), known as me-abudhabi-1. While Oracle will be opening its next Middle East data center regions in Tel Aviv, Israel and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Middle East and Africa – Regions and Availability Zones
| Regions | Code | # of Zones | Location | Country |
| Israel Central (Jerusalem) | il-jerusalem-1 | 1 | Jerusalem | Israel |
| Saudi Arabia West (Jeddah) | me-jeddah-1 | 1 | Jeddah | Saudi Arabia |
| South Africa Central (Johannesburg) | af-johannesburg-1 | 1 | Johannesburg | South Africa |
| UAE East (Dubai) | me-dubai-1 | 1 | Dubai | UAE |
| UAE Central (Abu Dhabi) | me-abudhabi-1 | 1 | Abu Dhabi | UAE |
| Israel 2 (Tel Aviv) | TBD* | 1 | Tel Aviv | Israel |
| Saudi Arabia 2 (Riyadh) | TBD* | 1 | Riyadh | Saudi Arabia |
| Total | — | 7 | — | — |
Oracle Interconnect for Azure
Beyond Oracle Cloud’s 40 operational regions, the company also has a partnership with Microsoft Azure to enable joint customers to run workloads across the two clouds, through Oracle Interconnect for Azure.
Oracle Interconnect for Microsoft Azure extends Oracle Cloud’s own cloud infrastructure via private, low-latency connectivity to 12 Azure Interconnect regions, which provide organizations with a migration path to a multi-cloud environment. As such, organizations can deploy cloud workloads on both Oracle Cloud and Microsoft Azure for various business and technical purposes.
Cross-cloud connectivity offered by Oracle Interconnect for Microsoft Azure is available in the following regions:
| Oracle Cloud | Microsoft Azure |
| US East (Ashburn) | East US (Richmond) |
| UK South (London) | UK South (London) |
| Canada Southeast (Toronto) | Canada Central (Toronto) |
| Netherlands Northwest (Amsterdam) | West Europe (Amsterdam) |
| Japan East (Tokyo) | Japan East (Tokyo, Saitama) |
| US West (San Jose) | West US (San Francisco) |
| Germany Central (Frankfurt) | Germany West Central (Frankfurt) |
| US West (Phoenix) | West US 3 (Phoenix) |
| South Korea Central (Seoul) | Korea Central (Seoul) |
| Singapore (Singapore) | Southeast Asia (Singapore) |
| Brazil Southeast (Vinhedo) | Brazil South (Campinas) |
Importantly, Oracle Interconnect for Azure offers zero data ingress/egress charges, which can provide organizations significant cost savings when transferring data between the two cloud service providers (CSPs).
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How Does Oracle Cloud Select a Data Center Location?
Oracle Cloud selects a data center location using a number of site selection criteria, including environmental threats, power availability and stability, vendor reputation and history, neighboring facility functions (e.g., high-risk manufacturing or high-threat targets), and geopolitical considerations.
At these locations, Oracle Cloud builds data center facilities using steel, concrete, or comparable materials, with a design made to withstand an impact from a light vehicle strike.
READ MORE: How Much Does it Cost to Build a Data Center?
Data centers housing Oracle Cloud services use redundant power sources and maintain generator backups to prevent widespread electrical outages. Additionally, server rooms are monitored for air temperature and humidity, and fire suppression systems are in-place.
In terms of connectivity, Oracle Cloud regions and availability domains protect data privacy for cloud network traffic transiting to other Oracle Cloud data centers via its network backbone. In particular, this protection is enabled by private, dedicated wide area network (WAN) fiber-optic connections. As such, fiber connectivity is a major consideration in Oracle Cloud selecting a data center location, with a focus on latency limits and distance to nearby points-of-presence (PoPs) or network access points (NAPs).
Oracle FastConnect – Cloud On-Ramp
Oracle FastConnect is Oracle Cloud’s term for a cloud on-ramp, which allows customers to connect directly to their Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) virtual cloud network via dedicated, private, high-bandwidth connections. Specifically, this service delivers:
- Network connectivity alternative to the public Internet
- High bandwidth options
- Better and predictably lower network latency
- Dedicated and private connection to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) resources
One of the most common reasons for using Oracle FastConnect is for a customer to link its on-premise data center with Oracle Cloud to run mission-critical applications.
Once connected, customers can choose an appropriate port speed, ranging from bandwidths of 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) to 10 Gbps, and pay a consistent, low price each month.
Customers can connect to Oracle Cloud using a FastConnect partner, a third-party network service provider, or from within a colocation data center.
READ MORE: Colocation – Definition, Meaning, Data Center, Services
In a third-party network service provider or colocation data center scenario, a cross-connect is the physical cable that connects a customer’s existing network to Oracle in the FastConnect location.
READ MORE: Cross Connects – Interconnection Services in Data Centers
