Oracle Licensing on Azure – Intro
Oracle licensing on Azure can be a complex and confusing process, especially for those unfamiliar with the ins and outs of Oracle’s licensing policies and the specific features and capabilities of Azure. However, properly licensing Oracle is essential for ensuring compliance, maximizing value, and avoiding risks in your Azure deployment.
In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to Oracle licensing on Azure, covering everything from understanding the different types of Oracle licenses available to tips for optimizing your licenses and avoiding common pitfalls. Whether you are new to Oracle licensing or an experienced user looking to fine-tune your deployment, this article will provide the insights and guidance you need to successfully license Oracle on Azure.
Oracle Cloud Licensing Policy Document
Oracle has a policy that applies to its programs being used in cloud computing environments in Azure. In these authorized cloud environments, customers must purchase a license for each Oracle product they use based on the maximum number of virtual central processing units (vCPUs) ), customers must count two vCPUs as equivalent to one Oracle Processor license if multi-threading of processor cores is enabled, or one vCPU as equivalent to one Oracle Processor license if it is not enabled.
When licensing Oracle programs in authorized cloud environments, the Oracle Processor Core Factor Table is not used to determine the number of licenses required. Instead, the pricing for Standard Edition One, Standard Edition 2, and Standard Edition programs is based on the size of the instance. Instances with four or fewer vCPUs on Azure are counted as one socket, which is equivalent to an Oracle Processor license. For instances with more than four vCPUs on Azure, every four vCPUs used (rounded up to the nearest multiple of four) requires one socket of licensing. However, under this cloud computing policy, Oracle Database Standard Edition may only be licensed on instances with up to 16 vCPUs on Azure, while Standard Edition One and Standard Edition 2 may only be licensed on instances with up to eight vCPUs on Azure. If licensing Standard Edition 2 using the Named User Plus metric, a minimum of 10 Named User Plus licenses are required for every eight vCPUs on Azure.
Summary
- Oracle has specific licensing policies for its programs when used in cloud computing environments from Azure.
- The number of Oracle Processor licenses required is based on the maximum number of vCPUs available in the instance type, with two vCPUs equal to one Oracle Processor license if multi-threading is enabled and one vCPU equal to one Oracle Processor license if it is not enabled.
- The Oracle Processor Core Factor Table is not used to determine the number of licenses required in authorized cloud environments.
- The pricing for Standard Edition One, Standard Edition 2, and Standard Edition programs are based on the size of the instance, with each instance with four or fewer vCPUs on AWS or Azure requiring one socket of licensing, and every four vCPUs on Azure thereafter requiring an additional socket of licensing.
- Standard Edition may only be licensed on instances with up to 16 vCPUs on Azure, while Standard Edition One and Standard Edition 2 may only be licensed on instances with up to eight vCPUs on Azure.
- If licensing Standard Edition 2 using the Named User Plus metric, a minimum of 10 Named User Plus licenses are required for every eight vCPUs on Azure.
FAQ on Oracle licensing in Azure
Q: What are the specific considerations for Oracle licensing in Azure? In Azure, Oracle’s licensing policies may be more restrictive than they are for on-premises deployments, as Oracle seeks to ensure that its software is being used in accordance with its licensing terms and conditions.
Q: How do I know how many Oracle Processor licenses I need for my Azure deployment?
A: The number of cores may be determined by counting the maximum number of vCPUs available in the instance type, with two vCPUs equal to one Oracle Processor license if multi-threading is enabled and one vCPU as equivalent to one Oracle Processor license if it is not enabled.
Q: Where can I find Oracle’s Cloud Licensing Policy?
A: Oracle’s Cloud Licensing Policy, which outlines its licensing policies for cloud-based deployments, is available on Oracle’s website.
Q: Are there any additional terms and conditions I need to be aware of when licensing Oracle in Azure?
A: Yes, it is important to understand and comply with the specific terms and conditions of your license agreement, as well as any additional services or support that may be included.
Q: How is the pricing for Standard Edition One, Standard Edition 2, and Standard Edition programs determined in Azure?
A: The pricing for these programs is based on the size of the instance, with each instance with four or fewer vCPUs on Azure requiring one socket of licensing and every four vCPUs on AWS or Azure thereafter requiring an additional socket of licensing.
Q: Can I license Standard Edition on instances with more than 16 vCPUs on AWS or Azure? No, under Oracle’s cloud computing policy, Standard Edition may only be licensed on instances with up to 16 vCPUs on AWS or Azure.
Q: Can I license Standard Edition One and Standard Edition 2 on instances with more than eight vCPUs on Azure?
A: No, under Oracle’s cloud computing policy, Standard Edition One and Standard Edition 2 may only be licensed on instances with up to 8 vCPUs on Azure.
Q: How many Named User Plus licenses do I need for Standard Edition 2 on instances with more than eight vCPUs on Azure?
A: If licensing Standard Edition 2 using the Named User Plus metric, a minimum of 10 Named User Plus licenses is required for every eight vCPUs on Azure.
How our Oracle licensing experts can help
Are you tired of being bogged down by the complexity of Oracle licensing and contracts? Do you want to take advantage of the cost-saving and efficiency benefits of deploying on Azure cloud, but don’t know where to start? Our team of Oracle licensing experts can help.
We offer comprehensive Oracle licensing review services to help companies understand their current licensing agreements, identify any potential risks or areas of non-compliance, and develop a plan for optimizing their Oracle licenses on Azure.
Our team has a deep understanding of Oracle’s licensing policies and the specific features and capabilities of Azure, and we can help you navigate the often-confusing world of Oracle licensing to ensure that you are properly licensed for your specific use case.
With our expert guidance, you can feel confident that your Oracle licenses are optimized for your business needs and that you are in compliance with Oracle’s licensing terms and conditions. This will allow you to focus on driving your business forward, rather than worrying about the technicalities of Oracle licensing.
Don’t let Oracle licensing hold you back from realizing the full potential of Azure. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you review your Oracle licenses and contracts and enable you to deploy on Azure cloud with confidence