Oracle Web Tier Licensing and Costs

Oracle Web Tier Licensing and Costs

Oracle Web Tier is Oracle’s enterprise-grade web server solution built upon the Apache HTTP Server. It provides robust capabilities such as load balancing, SSL termination, and proxying to application servers, particularly the Oracle WebLogic Server.

This guide covers detailed information about Oracle Web Tier’s licensing models, pricing structure, key features, compliance considerations, and practical recommendations to manage licenses effectively.

Read more about the Oracle price list.

Oracle Web Tier Licensing Models and Pricing

Oracle Web Tier is offered under two primary licensing models:

• Processor-Based Licensing: $5,000 per processor
• Named User Plus (NUP) Licensing: $100 per Named User Plus

Each model suits different scenarios depending on usage scale, deployment size, and user base.

Processor-Based Licensing Explained:

The processor licensing model provides unlimited user access and is calculated based on processor cores. Oracle applies a standard core factor table to determine the number of processor licenses required.

Core Factor Examples:

Processor Licensing Example:

• Server Configuration: 8-core Intel Xeon server
• License Calculation:
  • 8 cores × 0.5 core factor = 4 processor licenses
  • Total Cost: 4 licenses × $5,000 = $20,000
  • Annual Support (~22%): $4,400 per year

Named User Plus (NUP) Licensing Explained:

Named User Plus licenses are user-based, ideal for deployments with a limited and known number of users. Oracle applies a mandatory minimum of 10 Named User Plus licenses per processor.

NUP Licensing Example:

• Scenario: The application was accessed by 50 distinct users and deployed on a server with 4 Intel Xeon cores.
• Minimum NUP Requirement:
  • 4 cores × 0.5 core factor = 2 processor licenses
  • 2 processors × 10 NUP minimum = 20 NUP licenses minimum
• Actual Users: 50 (higher than minimum, so actual count applies)
• Cost Calculation:
  • 50 users × $100 = $5,000
  • Annual Support (~22%): $1,100 per year

Read Oracle TopLink and Application Development Framework Licensing.

Key Features and Capabilities of Oracle Web Tier

Oracle Web Tier includes features tailored for enterprise-grade web application deployments:

Oracle HTTP Server (OHS):

• Apache-based Web Server:
  Built on Apache HTTP Server, providing industry-standard web serving capabilities, with added Oracle enhancements and integration.
• Reverse Proxy and Load Balancing:
  Routes incoming traffic efficiently to backend Oracle WebLogic servers or other application servers, enabling high availability and scalable deployments.
• SSL/TLS Termination:
  Handles SSL termination and offloads secure traffic processing from backend servers, thus improving application performance.
• High Availability & Scalability:
  Supports clustering and load-balancing configurations, which are crucial for mission-critical enterprise deployments.

Integration with Oracle Middleware Stack:

• Proxy Plugins for WebLogic:
  Seamless integration with Oracle WebLogic Server through Oracle-provided plugins ensures efficient load balancing and session handling.
• Enterprise Support:
  Oracle provides official support, patching, and security updates, which is critical for compliance and risk management.
• Static and Dynamic Content Delivery:
  It can efficiently serve static files (images, CSS, JavaScript) and route dynamic content requests to application servers.

Read Oracle GlassFish Server Licensing.

Practical Licensing Scenarios and Examples

Example 1: Medium Enterprise – Processor Licensing

• Scenario: A retail company deploys Oracle Web Tier as a front-end to a large-scale e-commerce application. Server: 16-core Intel Xeon.
• Licensing Calculation:
  • 16 cores × 0.5 core factor = 8 processor licenses
  • Total Cost: 8 licenses × $5,000 = $40,000
  • Annual Support (~22%): $8,800 per year

Example 2: Small Business – Named User Plus Licensing

• Scenario: Small business application accessed by 25 distinct internal users. The server has 2 Intel Xeon cores.
• Minimum Requirement:
  • 2 cores × 0.5 core factor = 1 processor
  • Minimum: 10 NUP (due to Oracle’s rules)
• Actual Users: 25 (above the minimum)
• Licensing Calculation:
  • 25 users × $100 = $2,500
  • Annual Support (~22%): $550 per year

Compliance and Audit Considerations for Oracle Web Tier

Compliance management is critical to avoid costly audits and penalties. Key points include:

• Accurate Core Factor Application:
  Always correctly apply Oracle’s core factor table based on your hardware. Miscalculating this factor can lead to under-licensing and potential compliance violations.
• Named User Plus (NUP) Counts:
  Maintain accurate records of all users with access to Oracle Web Tier applications. Regularly audit to ensure your user counts match your licensed NUP entitlements.
• Minimum Licensing Requirements:
  Oracle mandates a minimum number of licenses per processor for NUP licensing. Always confirm these minimums against your deployment configuration.
• Avoid Unauthorized Feature Usage:
  Do not use Oracle Web Tier to serve applications or middleware components outside your licensed scope, as Oracle audits often identify unlicensed use.

Best Practices for Oracle Web Tier Licensing Management

To optimize license utilization and maintain compliance, adhere to the following recommendations:

• Periodic Internal Audits:
  Perform regular license compliance checks, especially after hardware changes, scaling, or adding new applications behind Oracle Web Tier.
• Maintain Clear Documentation:
  Keep records of your server configurations, core counts, user access lists, and license entitlements for easy verification and auditing.
• Educate Your IT Team:
  Provide licensing training for system administrators and application developers to avoid accidental misuse or unauthorized expansions.
• Plan for Future Growth:
  Negotiate flexible licensing terms with Oracle to manage future scalability, especially if planning significant infrastructure expansions.

Common Licensing Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Pitfall 1: Incorrectly Applying Core Factors

• Solution:
  Always reference Oracle’s official core factor table when calculating processor licenses. Verify after every hardware change or upgrade.

Pitfall 2: Mismanaging NUP Minimums

• Solution:
  Verify that your NUP licensing calculations meet Oracle’s minimum requirement (10 NUP per processor). Audit regularly to ensure compliance.

Pitfall 3: Undocumented User Access

• Solution:
  Implement clear processes to document every named user accessing Oracle Web Tier-managed applications. Regularly reconcile these lists with licensed user counts.

Pitfall 4: Accidental Feature Misuse

• Solution:
  Train teams clearly on Oracle licensing boundaries. Implement technical controls or monitoring tools to flag unlicensed or unauthorized usage promptly.

Oracle Web Tier Licensing Cost Summary Table

Key Takeaways for Oracle Web Tier Licensing:

• Processor Licensing is optimal for large-scale, high-usage scenarios where unlimited user access simplifies management.
• Named User Plus Licensing is ideal for smaller, defined user groups, but always remember Oracle’s minimum user rule.
• Compliance requires meticulous core factor and user count management.
• Regular internal audits and proactive Oracle communication are essential best practices.

Following these guidelines ensures efficient use of Oracle Web Tier licenses, maintains compliance, and helps manage your IT budget effectively.

Do you want to know more about our Oracle Advisory Services?

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Name *

Email *

Company

Message *

Submit