Oracle IAS Licensing and Pricing

Oracle IAS Licensing and Pricing

• Two licensing models: Processor Metric and Named User Plus.
• Processor Metric: $35,000 per processor, based on core count.
• Named User Plus: $700 per user, with a 10-user minimum per processor.
• The core factor table adjusts licensing based on hardware.
• Cloud environments: 2 vCPUs equal one processor license.

Oracle Internet Application Server (IAS) Licensing and Pricing

Oracle Internet Application Server (IAS) licensing is a critical component of software asset management for organizations leveraging Oracle’s middleware capabilities.

With its structured licensing models and specific pricing metrics, understanding Oracle IAS licensing is essential for ensuring compliance and managing costs effectively.

Core Licensing Models

Oracle IAS offers two primary licensing models designed to cater to different organizational needs and usage patterns:

Processor Metric Licensing

Processor-based licensing is calculated based on the number of processor cores used for the IAS deployment. This model provides scalability but comes with a higher upfront cost, priced at $35,000 per processor license. Key aspects include:

• Core Count and Core Factor Application: Oracle’s Core Factor Table adjusts the number of processor cores.
• Processor Architecture Impact: Different architectures have varying core factors affecting the total number of licenses needed.
• Upfront Investment: Ideal for large deployments requiring extensive computational resources.

Named User Plus Licensing

This user-based licensing model costs $700 per Named User Plus (NUP) license and requires a minimum of 10 users per processor license. It is more suitable for organizations with smaller, defined user bases. Key aspects include:

• Flexibility: Scales with identifiable users rather than computational resources.
• Minimum User Requirement: Requires at least 10 NUP licenses per processor, irrespective of actual usage.

Pricing Structure

Oracle IAS pricing depends on the licensing model chosen and the deployment scenario. Below is a summary of the cost framework:

Licensing Calculations

Accurate licensing calculations are essential for cost management and compliance. Here are the methods for different deployment scenarios:

Bare Metal Server Licensing

Licensing bare metal servers involves calculating the number of processor licenses based on core factors:

• Formula: Number of cores × Core Factor = Required Processor Licenses
• Example: For a 16-core server with a core factor of 0.5:
  • Core calculation: 16 cores × 0.5 = 8 processor licenses
  • Total cost: 8 licenses × $35,000 = $280,000

Cloud Platform Licensing

For cloud environments, such as AWS or Azure, Oracle’s licensing model applies a 2:1 ratio for vCPUs:

• Formula: 2 vCPUs = 1 Processor License
• Example: For an eight vCPU instance:
  • License calculation: 8 vCPUs ÷ 2 = 4 processor licenses
  • Total cost: 4 licenses × $35,000 = $140,000

Platform-Specific Considerations

Oracle IAS licensing varies depending on the deployment platform. Each environment’s specific requirements influence the licensing approach:

Virtual Environments

• vCPU Counting: Count all vCPUs allocated to virtual machines.
• License Ratio: Apply the 2:1 vCPU-to-processor license ratio.
• Cost Calculation: Determine the number of processor licenses needed based on the allocated virtual resources.

Physical Servers

• Core Counting: Consider all physical cores in populated sockets.
• Core Factor Application: Adjust calculations using Oracle’s Core Factor Table.
• Processor License Calculation: Total cores × Core Factor = Required Licenses.

License Types and Terms

Oracle IAS offers different editions to address varied organizational needs:

Enterprise Edition

• Full-featured platform capabilities.
• Advanced functionality for high-demand applications.
• Includes standard support services.

Standard Edition

• Basic platform capabilities suitable for smaller deployments.
• Limited functionality compared to the Enterprise Edition.
• Includes standard support services.

Cost Implications

The financial impact of Oracle IAS licensing varies significantly based on deployment choices:

Processor-Based Deployment

• Single Server: Calculate minimum processor licenses required × $35,000.
• Multi-Server: Total processor count × Core Factor × $35,000.

Named User Plus Deployment

• Minimum Users: Calculate total named users × $700.
• Additional Users: Account for licenses needed beyond the minimum requirement per processor.

FAQ: Oracle IAS Licensing and Pricing

What are the two main licensing models for Oracle IAS?
Oracle IAS offers Processor Metric Licensing and Named User Plus Licensing, designed to accommodate different deployment and user scenarios.

How does Processor Metric Licensing work?
Licenses are based on the number of processor cores, adjusted using Oracle\u2019s Core Factor Table, costing $35,000 per license.

What is Named User Plus Licensing?
This model licenses users at $700 each, with a minimum of 10 users per processor. It is suitable for deployments with a defined user base.

How are licenses calculated for bare metal servers?
To determine the number of processor licenses needed, multiply the total cores by the core factor from the Oracle core table.

What is the pricing model for cloud environments?
Two virtual CPUs (vCPUs) for cloud platforms equal 1 processor license. For example, an eight vCPU instance requires four processor licenses.

Can virtual machines be licensed differently?
No, licensing rules require counting all vCPUs in the virtual machines and applying the same 2:1 ratio for processor licenses.

What\u2019s included in the Enterprise Edition of Oracle IAS?
The Enterprise Edition provides full platform capabilities, advanced features, and standard support services.

How does the Standard Edition differ?
The Standard Edition offers basic platform features and limited functionality compared to the Enterprise Edition, which offers standard support services.

What are the minimum requirements for Named User Plus Licensing?
Organizations must license at least ten users per processor, even if fewer users access the software.

What happens if a server\u2019s cores are partially used?
Oracle does not permit partial processor licensing. All cores in a populated socket must be licensed.

How do I calculate licenses for a multi-server deployment?
Sum the processor core counts across servers, adjust with the core factor, and multiply by $35,000 per processor license.

What documentation is needed for Oracle IAS compliance?
Maintain accurate records of core counts, vCPU allocations, user access, deployment locations, and server configurations.

Are indirect users counted in Named User Plus Licensing?
Yes, Named User Plus includes all human and non-human users interacting directly or indirectly with the application.

How do core factors impact licensing costs?
Core factors reduce the licenses needed for processors with lower performance, lowering overall costs.

How can businesses prepare for Oracle IAS audits?
Track deployments, document license calculations, and use Software Asset Management tools to ensure audit compliance and readiness.