Optimizing Oracle LicensingAn Oracle Primmer
Computer Measurement Group
June 25, 2010
Disclaimer
• This presentation does not constitute legal advise. Your
Oracle licenses are governed by your Oracle License
and Services Agreement and the Oracle Software
Technical Support Polices. I would encourage you all to
read both these documents and consult legal counsel
before making any changes or additions to your Oracle
licensing.
• This presentations is intended to give you a better
understanding of Oracle products and product versions
licensing policies and the common application of these
policies.
Oracle 1977 to 2010
1978
2010
Oracle Licensing
Things to consider
• Understand key concepts and agreements
• Understand how hardware impacts licensing
• Know what products you need
• Consider all licensing options, versions, financing,
leasing, etc.
• Have a licensing plan
• Monitor and track your licensing to ensure
compliance
Product Versions
Oracle Database
• Oracle Standard Edition One
– Use on max 2 Sockets
– Includes Oracle RAC , but no other EE options
– $5,000 per processor
• Oracle Standard Edition
– Use on max 4 Sockets
– Includes Oracle RAC, but no other EE options
– $17,500 per processor
• Oracle Enterprise Edition
– No limitations
– EE Options available
– $47,500 per processor
License and Support Agreements
OLSA- Oracle Licensing and Services Agreement
Defines terms, conditions between Oracle and End User. Also, commits End User to
the terms and conditions Oracle Technical Support Policies
ELA- Enterprise Licensing Agreement
Typically defines the users right to use specific quantities of specific products for a
defined period of time. Usually heavily discounted and usage must be certified at the
end of the period. Typically used for large deployments where it is impossible or
impractical to track product usage or the company is growing rapidly.
ULA- Unlimited Licensing Agreement
Similar to an ELA, but my be a broader agreement.
License and Support Agreements
Key Terms:
•“Testing: For the purpose of testing physical copies of backups, your license for the
Oracle Database (Enterprise Edition, Standard Edition or Standard Edition One) includes
the right to run the database on an unlicensed computer for up to four times, not
exceeding 2 days per testing, in any given calendar year. “
•User Minimums: The minimum number of Named Users you must purchase PER
processor OR the actual number of users; whichever is greater.
Named User Example 1
20 Users
2 Processor Server
=
*DBEE user minimum 25 Named Users per processor
50 Named Users
Oracle Database EE
Named User Example 2
100 Users
2 Processor Server
=
*DBEE user minimum 25 Named Users per processor
100 Named Users
Oracle Database EE
License and Support Agreements
Key Terms:
•
“Testing: For the purpose of testing physical copies of backups, your license for the
Oracle Database (Enterprise Edition, Standard Edition or Standard Edition One)
includes the right to run the database on an unlicensed computer for up to four times,
not exceeding 2 days per testing, in any given calendar year. “
•
User Minimums: The minimum number of Named Users you must purchase PER
processor OR the actual number of users; whichever is greater.
•
Processor: (See Oracle OLSA for complete definition)
• Key points:
1. Multiply the number of processors times the number of cores
2. Apply Core Factor (see Oracle multi core factor table)
3. Results in number of cores/processors to be licensed
Processor Example 1
Sun T2000 Server
Oracle Core Factor
.25
1- Eight core 1.2 GHz UltraSPARC T1
(8 cores) x (.25 core factor)= 2 cores/processors
You must License 2 “processors” of Oracle DBEE
$115,900
Processor Example 2
Dell PowerEdge 605
Oracle Core Factor
.5
2-Quad Core AMD Opteron 2.4GHz
(8 cores) x (.5 core factor)= 4 cores/processors
You must License 4 “processors” of Oracle DBEE
$231,000
Oracle Support
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•
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•
22% of the net price of your purchase
Entitles you to updates and support
Is governed by your OLSA and Oracle technical support policies
Support is difficult to change or correct!
Key Support Concepts
•Know the support implications of your licensing decisions
•Understand what you can and can’t do
•Understand Key support concepts: License Sets, desupporting, backsupport, penalties, etc.
•Review and monitor your support agreements
Virtualization
The Evolution of Oracle’s Policy on Virtualized Environments
You cant do it!!!!
You can’t do it! If you do; we won’t support you!!
You shouldn’t do it. If you do; we will make it difficult to support you!
You can do it and we will help you if it’s known problem.
Virtualization FAQ
Q: Can I run Oracle products in a “virtualized” environment?
A: Yes
Q: Are Oracle products certified in “virtualized” environments?
A: No
Q: Will Oracle support me if I have a “virtualized” environment?
A: Maybe, if the issue is a known issue on the native OS or can be
demonstrated not to be the result of running VMware. Covered in Oracle
Support Note ID 249212.1
Virtualization
My Oracle support document ID 249212.1
“Oracle has not certified any of its products on VMware virtualized environments.
Oracle Support will assist customers running Oracle products on VMware in the
following manner: Oracle will only provide support for issues that either are known
to occur on the native OS, or can be demonstrated not to be as a result of running
on VMware. If a problem is a known Oracle issue, Oracle support will recommend
the appropriate solution on the native OS. If that solution does not work in the
VMware virtualized environment, the customer will be referred to VMware for
support. When the customer can demonstrate that the Oracle solution does not
work when running on the native OS, Oracle will resume support, including logging
a bug with Oracle Development for investigation if required. If the problem is
determined not to be a known Oracle issue, we will refer the customer to VMware
for support. When the customer can demonstrate that the issue occurs when
running on the native OS, Oracle will resume support, including logging a bug with
Oracle Development for investigation if required. NOTE: Oracle has not certified any
of its products on VMWare, and use of Oracle products in the RAC environment is
also not supported. “
Negotiating with Oracle
•Know want you want/need
•Understand the products and various methods of licensing
•Understand how much you need
•Know when you need it
•Consider consolidating purchases
•Allow enough time
•6-12 months isn’t too long
• Develop a licensing plan and strategy
•Know what to ask for
•Don’t waste time and power asking for things you will never get
•Understand your legal obligations
Negotiating with Oracle
•Know what a good deal looks like
•Once you have what you need; take the deal
•Policies change frequently regarding discounts and concessions
•Communicate
•Build a relationship with Oracle and your Oracle Partner
•Keep them informed
Oracle Partners and Resellers can help you with all of this
Questions?
About DBAK
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