The Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting Pack’s licensing works as follows:
- Licensing Metric: Must be licensed with the same metric and quantity as the Oracle Database Enterprise Edition, either processor or named user plus.
- Availability: Only available for Oracle Database Enterprise Edition.
- Licensing Requirement: Required only for the source database server, where the data originates.
- No Need for Staging Server License: The pack doesn’t need to be licensed for the staging server where masking and subsetting operations are executed or for masked database copies.
Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting Pack Licensing
Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting Pack is an add-on option for Oracle Database Enterprise Edition. While it is part of Oracle’s broader database toolset, it requires a separate license. Understanding its licensing structure and key rules is essential to remain compliant and avoid unexpected costs.
Below is a detailed overview of the licensing model, requirements, and key considerations.
Overview of Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting Pack
Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting Pack provides two critical capabilities:
- Data Masking: Protects sensitive data by replacing it with fictitious yet realistic data, ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations.
- Data Subsetting: Allows the creation of smaller, relevant subsets of data for development, testing, and analysis.
These features are designed with Oracle Database Enterprise Edition (EE), helping organizations secure data while improving efficiency and reducing storage costs.
Key Licensing Requirements
1. Licensing Metric and Quantity
- The Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting Pack must be licensed using the same metric and quantity as the Oracle Database Enterprise Edition.
- Supported metrics include:
- Processor-Based Licensing: Licenses are calculated based on the total number of processors on the database server where the pack is used.
- Named User Plus (NUP) Licensing is based on the total number of users accessing the database where the pack is deployed.
- Rule: If the processor licenses Oracle Database EE, the pack must also be licensed per processor. Similarly, if Oracle Database EE uses NUP, the same number of NUP licenses must apply to the pack.
2. Compatibility with Oracle Database Enterprise Edition Only
- The Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting Pack cannot be used with Standard Edition or Standard Edition 2 (SE/SE2) databases.
- Rule: It is an Enterprise Edition (EE)-only option, meaning you must own a valid Oracle Database EE license to use this pack.
3. Licensing for Source Database Servers
- The pack must only be licensed for the source database server, which is the server where the original, sensitive data resides.
- Staging Databases:
- You do not need to license the staging database server where masking or subsetting operations are performed.
- Copies of Masked Databases: You are not required to license the pack for copies of the masked or subsetted data, as they no longer contain sensitive data that requires masking.
- Example Scenario:
- If masking is performed on Database Server A (source), you must license the pack for Server A.
- If the masked data is copied to Server B for testing, Server B does not require a license for the pack.
4. Licensing Compliance and Audits
- Tracking Usage: Ensure that Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting Pack features are not inadvertently used without the proper license.
- Oracle provides tools like Database Feature Usage Tracking to monitor licensed database options.
- Rule: Even unintentional use of the pack features may trigger a licensing requirement during an Oracle audit.
Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting Pack Licensing FAQ
What is the Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting Pack?
The Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting Pack is an Oracle Database Enterprise Edition (EE) option designed to mask sensitive data and create smaller subsets of data for non-production environments, like development or testing.
Is the Data Masking and Subsetting Pack included with Oracle Database EE?
No, it is a separately licensed option. While it works with Oracle Database Enterprise Edition, it requires an additional license.
How is the Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting Pack licensed?
The licensing follows the same metric as the Oracle Database Enterprise Edition license. You can license it based on either processor-based licensing or Named User Plus (NUP) licensing, depending on how your Oracle Database EE is licensed.
Do I need to license the pack for all environments?
No, the pack must only be licensed for the source database server where the original, sensitive data resides. Staging servers and masked database copies do not require licensing.
Is the pack compatible with Oracle Standard Edition (SE/SE2)?
The Data Masking and Subsetting Pack is only available for Oracle Database Enterprise Edition.
What does Oracle mean by a “source database”?
The source database contains the original, unmasked data. This is where the masking or subsetting operation begins.
Do I need to license a staging server where masking operations occur?
No, staging servers used to execute masking or subsetting processes do not require licensing for this pack.
Are licenses required for copies of the masked database?
No, once the data has been masked or subsetted, copies of it do not require licensing for the Data Masking and Subsetting Pack.
How do I track whether the Data Masking and Subsetting Pack is being used?
You can use Oracle’s Database Feature Usage Tracking tool to monitor whether the Data Masking and Subsetting Pack features are being used intentionally or unintentionally.
What are the licensing costs for Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting Pack?
The cost depends on the licensing metric used. For processor-based licensing, the fee is determined by the number of processor cores on the source server. For Named User Plus, the cost depends on the number of users accessing the database.
How does Oracle calculate processor licenses for the pack?
Oracle applies its Core Factor Table to calculate the number of processors available for licensing. This table considers both the number of cores and the type of processor.
What happens if I use the pack without licensing it?
Unintentional usage can lead to compliance violations. Oracle audits may identify unauthorized usage, resulting in unexpected licensing costs and penalties.
Can I use the Data Masking Pack for cloud environments?
The Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting Pack can be used in Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and other cloud environments. However, licensing policies for the pack still apply to the source database.
Are there prerequisites for licensing this pack?
Yes, you must have a valid Oracle Database Enterprise Edition license. Oracle Linux Premier or Oracle Linux Premier Limited support may also be required for systems using the pack.
Why is licensing the pack for the source database important?
Licensing for the source database ensures compliance, as this is where the original sensitive data resides. Staging databases and masked copies are exempt, reducing unnecessary costs.
