Oracle NoSQL Database Enterprise Edition Licensing and Costs
Oracle NoSQL Database Enterprise Edition is a specialized, distributed NoSQL database designed to efficiently handle high-throughput key-value, JSON, and table data operations.
It suits big data workloads requiring low latency and scalable unstructured or semi-structured data storage.
This article covers essential details about Oracle NoSQL Database licensing, including:
- What Oracle NoSQL Database Enterprise Edition is
- Licensing models, metrics, and costs
- Key features and capabilities
- Ideal use cases and practical examples
- Compliance considerations and best practices
Read more about the Oracle price list.
Overview of Oracle NoSQL Database Enterprise Edition
Oracle NoSQL Database Enterprise Edition provides an elastic, horizontally scalable solution ideal for managing large-scale, high-performance workloads.
Unlike traditional relational databases, it focuses on distributed key-value and JSON data storage, enabling efficient access to large volumes of data with predictable performance.
Core functionalities include:
- High-Performance Data Access: Optimized for rapid key-value lookups and updates, ideal for high-throughput workloads.
- Elastic Scalability: The Ability to scale horizontally, easily adding nodes to increase storage and performance as data volumes grow.
- Flexible Data Models: Supports key-value, JSON documents, and table-structured data, providing versatility across diverse application needs.
- Tunable Consistency: Adjust consistency levels according to application requirements, balancing performance with data accuracy.
Typical scenarios include:
- Real-time customer analytics
- IoT device data management
- High-velocity transaction data processing
- User-profile data storage for high-traffic applications
Oracle NoSQL Database Licensing Options and Costs
Oracle NoSQL Database Enterprise Edition can be licensed under two main metrics:
- Processor-Based Licensing: $10,000 per processor
- Named User Plus (NUP) Licensing: $200 per Named User Plus
Below, each licensing model is explained clearly.
Processor-Based Licensing
Processor-based licensing charges a fee based on the number of processors (CPU cores) in servers running the Oracle NoSQL Database.
- Cost: $10,000 per processor
- Oracle’s standard core-factor table applies, adjusting the total processor count based on the CPU architecture (Intel, AMD, IBM Power, etc.).
Processor Licensing Example:
- You deploy Oracle NoSQL Database on a server with two Intel Xeon processors (8 cores each, total 16 cores).
- Intel processors typically have a core factor of 0.5.
- Calculation:
- 16 cores × 0.5 (core factor) = 8 processor licenses
- Total Cost = 8 processors × $10,000 = $80,000
- Annual support is optional but recommended, and it is approximately 22% of the license cost (~$17,600/year).
Named User Plus Licensing
Named User Plus (NUP) licensing is based on the number of users or devices accessing Oracle NoSQL Database, not processors.
- Cost: $200 per NUP
- Oracle requires a minimum of 10 NUP licenses per processor (after core factor adjustments).
Named User Plus Licensing Example:
- Assume Oracle NoSQL Database runs on a single processor server (4 Intel cores):
- Adjusted processor count: 4 cores × 0.5 = 2 processors
- Minimum required NUP licenses: 2 processors × 10 NUP = 20 NUP licenses
- Total Cost = 20 NUP × $200 = $4,000
- Best suited for small user groups or defined device counts accessing the database.
Key Features and Technical Capabilities
Oracle NoSQL Database Enterprise Edition includes robust features to support enterprise-grade big data environments:
Elastic, Horizontal Scalability
- Dynamically scale out by adding more nodes as data volume and application demands increase.
- Distribute workloads evenly, maintaining consistent performance at scale.
High-Throughput, Low-Latency Operations
- Designed for rapid key-value lookups, updates, and inserts.
- Ideal for real-time applications needing quick response times and consistent performance.
Flexible Data Models
- Supports multiple data structures:
- Key-value pairs: High-speed storage and retrieval.
- JSON Documents: Schema-less storage ideal for semi-structured data.
- Table Storage: Structured data with simple schemas.
Tunable Consistency and Durability
- Offers adjustable consistency levels (Eventual, Absolute) based on application requirements.
- Balances trade-offs between data accuracy, latency, and system throughput.
Fault Tolerance and High Availability
- Built-in replication and sharding for data resilience.
- Automatically recovers from node failures without service disruptions.
Practical Example:
- A retail chain uses Oracle NoSQL DB to store real-time sales data from nationwide point-of-sale systems.
- Data from thousands of stores updates continuously; Oracle NoSQL ensures reliable, instant access to this information for real-time analytics and reporting.
- Elastic scalability allows the retailer to expand storage seamlessly during peak shopping seasons.
Read Oracle TimesTen In-Memory Database Licensing and Costs.
Ideal Use Cases for Oracle NoSQL Database
Oracle NoSQL Database Enterprise Edition excels in high-throughput and low-latency data access scenarios. Ideal use cases include:
1. Real-Time Web Applications
- User-profile storage and session management for large-scale websites or apps.
- Quick data retrieval and updates for millions of concurrent users.
2. Internet of Things (IoT)
- Collection and management of large-scale sensor data.
- Real-time processing and analytics of device-generated events.
3. Content Management and Personalization
- Rapid access to dynamic content and personalized user data.
- Powering recommendation engines with real-time user interactions.
4. Mobile and Gaming Applications
- Efficient storage and retrieval of player states, leaderboards, and in-game analytics.
- Scalability to handle sudden spikes in user traffic.
Real-World Example:
- A global online gaming platform uses Oracle NoSQL Database to handle player statistics, achievements, and real-time event processing.
- The platform efficiently manages millions of simultaneous players, providing instant updates to leaderboards and player data with minimal latency.
Licensing Compliance and Cost Management Best Practices
Adhering to Oracle’s licensing rules and effectively managing costs is critical. Follow these best practices to ensure compliance:
1. Understand Oracle’s Core Factor Table
- Identify the core factor for your CPU type to calculate licensing requirements accurately.
2. Carefully Choose a Licensing Metric
- Evaluate user and device counts carefully before choosing NUP licensing to avoid exceeding minimum licensing thresholds.
- Processor-based licensing typically suits large or public-facing deployments, while NUP is cost-effective for small, fixed user bases.
3. Monitor Infrastructure Changes
- Regularly audit your environment for hardware changes (new processors, core increases) and user access growth.
- Proactively adjust licenses to prevent compliance issues.
4. Centralize and Consolidate
- Consolidating Oracle NoSQL deployments into fewer servers simplifies licensing calculations and reduces costs.
- Prevent fragmented deployments across multiple unnecessary hardware units.
5. Leverage Optional Support
- Oracle support provides essential updates, security patches, and expert troubleshooting.
- Evaluate whether support costs (~22% annually) align with your operational needs.
Common Licensing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Avoid these common pitfalls for a smooth licensing experience:
- Misinterpreting Core Factors: Incorrectly applying core factors leads to under- or over-licensing. Always verify against Oracle’s core factor table.
- Underestimating Named User Counts: If selecting NUP licensing, underestimate users carefully. Exceeding minimum user counts triggers compliance issues.
- Unauthorized Environment Expansion: Deploying Oracle NoSQL Database to additional servers without adjusting licensing incurs compliance risk.
- Failure to Track Infrastructure: Hardware changes (new cores, processors) can occur over time. Regular tracking prevents accidental licensing gaps.
Example Mistake:
- A company initially licenses Oracle NoSQL Database for a single server (8-core Intel processor, 4 processor licenses).
- Later, IT adds another identical server without purchasing additional licenses.
- An Oracle audit reveals the unlicensed server. The company must retroactively buy licenses plus backdated support, which significantly increases unexpected costs.
Summary of Oracle NoSQL Database Enterprise Edition Licensing
Key Licensing Insights:
- Processor Licensing: $10,000 per processor (core factor applied)
- Named User Plus Licensing: $200 per NUP (minimum 10 NUP per processor)
- Core Factor Table: Critical for correct processor licensing calculation
- Typical Applications: Real-time analytics, IoT, mobile and gaming, personalization engines
- Optional Annual Support: Approximately 22% of license fees
Oracle NoSQL Database Enterprise Edition offers powerful, flexible data storage capabilities ideal for high-volume, low-latency workloads. Understanding the licensing options, applying core factors correctly, and proactively managing your environment ensure compliance, optimize costs, and maximize your investment in Oracle NoSQL Database.
