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Oracle Database In-Memory Licensing Guide

The licensing of Oracle Database In-Memory is outlined as follows:

  • Extra Cost Option: It is an additional cost option for Oracle Database Enterprise Edition (EE) and Oracle Database Enterprise Edition – Exadata (EE-Exa).
  • Licensing Metric and Quantity: The licensing model must align with the metric and quantity of your Oracle Database Enterprise Edition license. If you have a processor-based license or a named user plus license for Oracle Database Enterprise Edition, your Oracle Database In-Memory license must follow the same model.

Features of Oracle Database In-Memory

Features of Oracle Database In-Memory

Oracle Database In-Memory is a solution that offers a wide range of powerful features:

  1. Real-Time Analytics: The Database In-Memory option enables real-time analytics by speeding up the performance of analytic queries.
  2. Dual-Format Architecture: Oracle Database In-Memory maintains transactional data in the existing Oracle row format for OLTP operations and a new In-Memory Column Store for analytics. This ensures optimal performance and complete data consistency.
  3. Automatic Data Optimization (ADO): It leverages Heat Map, which tracks usage patterns at the row level, to automate data movement between different storage tiers within the database.
  4. In-Memory Aggregation (IMA): This feature accelerates star queries by orders of magnitude using new In-Memory optimized algorithms and data structures.
  5. JSON Document Store: Oracle Database In-Memory provides comprehensive support for JSON documents, allowing for efficient in-memory processing and real-time analytics.
  6. Fast Ingest of Data: Oracle Database In-Memory excels at maintaining real-time analytics while ingesting data at high speed.

Oracle Database In-Memory Licensing

Oracle Database In-Memory Licensing

Additional Cost Option

Oracle Database In-Memory is an add-on feature for Oracle Database Enterprise Edition (EE) and Oracle Database Enterprise Edition – Exadata (EE-Exa).

Licensing Model

The licensing for Oracle Database In-Memory must align with the same metric and quantity as your existing Oracle Database Enterprise Edition license. If you have a processor-based license for your Oracle Database EE, you must license Oracle Database In-Memory using the processor-based model. Similarly, if you use a Named User Plus (NUP) model for Oracle Database EE, you must follow the same for Oracle Database In-Memory.

Example Calculation

Processor-Based License:

  • If you have 4 processors for Oracle Database EE, you need 4 processor licenses for Oracle Database In-Memory.
  • Cost: 4 processors x $23,000 per processor = $92,000.

Named User Plus (NUP) License:

  • If you have 50 named users for Oracle Database EE, you need 50 NUP licenses for Oracle Database In-Memory.
  • Cost: 50 users x $460 per NUP = $23,000.

Additional Features of Oracle Database In-Memory

Oracle Database In-Memory includes various robust features that extend its functionality and improve its performance.

  1. In-Memory Column Store on Active Data Guard standby: This feature, available exclusively on Exadata, requires the Oracle Database In-Memory and Oracle Active Data Guard options. It’s worth noting that it is not available on Oracle Database Appliance.
  2. Fault-tolerant in-memory Column Store: This feature requires the Oracle Database In-Memory option and the Oracle Real Application Clusters option. It is only available on Exadata and Oracle Database Appliance and necessitates either Exadata, Supercluster or an Infiniband-based Oracle Database Appliance.
  3. Database In-Memory Base Level: This option allows users to experience Oracle Database In-Memory features without purchasing the entire Oracle Database In-Memory option. However, there are a few restrictions:
    • The size of the In-Memory area (INMEMORY_SIZE) cannot exceed 16 GB for a CDB. In an Oracle RAC environment, each instance is limited to 16 GB.
    • The compression level for all objects and columns is automatically and transparently set to QUERY LOW.
    • The Automatic In-Memory feature is disabled.
    • The in-Memory Column Store feature track is labeled as “In-Memory Base Level” rather than “In-Memory Column Store.”
    • The CellMemory feature is disabled for Oracle Exadata.
    • Not available in Non-Oracle Public Cloud Environments

Oracle Database In-Memory License Costs

Following Oracle’s technology price list, the licensing costs for Oracle Database In-Memory are:

  • A Named User Plus license costs $460 per Named User Plus.
  • Processor License costs $23,000 per Processor.

These costs are subject to change, so it’s always best to contact Oracle or an authorized Oracle reseller for the latest pricing details.

FAQ on Oracle Database In-Memory Licensing and Costs

What is Oracle Database In-Memory?

Oracle Database In-Memory is a solution for real-time analytics and mixed workload applications, enhancing data processing and analysis speeds.

What are the key features of Oracle Database In-Memory?

Key features include real-time analytics, dual-format architecture, Automatic Data Optimization (ADO), In-Memory Aggregation (IMA), JSON Document Store, and fast data ingestion.

Is Oracle Database In-Memory an additional cost?

Oracle Database In-Memory is an extra-cost option for Oracle Database Enterprise Edition (EE) and Oracle Database Enterprise Edition – Exadata (EE-Exa).

How is Oracle Database In-Memory licensed?

The licensing model for Oracle Database In-Memory must align with the metric and quantity of your Oracle Database Enterprise Edition license. This means it follows the same processor-based or named user-plus licensing model.

What is a Named User Plus license cost for Oracle Database In-Memory?

A Named User Plus license costs $460 per Named User Plus.

What is the cost of a Processor license for Oracle Database In-Memory?

A Processor License costs $23,000 per Processor.

Can Oracle Database In-Memory be used on Active Data Guard standby?

Yes, but this feature requires both Oracle Database In-Memory and Oracle Active Data Guard options, exclusive to Exadata.

What is the Fault Tolerant In-Memory Column Store?

This feature enhances data protection and requires Oracle Database In-Memory and Oracle Real Application Clusters options. It is available on Exadata and Oracle Database Appliance.

What is the Database In-Memory Base Level?

This option allows users to experience In-Memory features with some restrictions, such as a limit on the In-Memory area size and compression level settings.

Are there any restrictions with the Database In-Memory Base Level?

Yes, the size of the In-Memory area is limited to 16 GB for a CDB, compression levels are set to QUERY LOW, and certain features like Automatic In-Memory and CellMemory for Exadata are disabled.

Is the Database In-Memory option available in non-Oracle public cloud environments?

No, the Database In-Memory option is unavailable in non-Oracle public cloud environments.

What are the benefits of using Oracle Database In-Memory?

Benefits include accelerated data processing, real-time analytics capabilities, and enhanced transactional and analytic workload performance.

How can Automatic Data Optimization (ADO) help in managing data?

ADO uses Heat Map to track data usage patterns at the row level, automating data movement between different storage tiers to optimize performance.

Oracle Database In-Memory is a transformative tool that allows businesses to capitalize on real-time data analysis and processing.

Understanding this product’s core functionalities, licensing metrics, and cost structures can provide a significant advantage in today’s data-driven world.

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Author
  • Fredrik Filipsson brings two decades of Oracle license management experience, including a nine-year tenure at Oracle and 11 years in Oracle license consulting. His expertise extends across leading IT corporations like IBM, enriching his profile with a broad spectrum of software and cloud projects. Filipsson's proficiency encompasses IBM, SAP, Microsoft, and Salesforce platforms, alongside significant involvement in Microsoft Copilot and AI initiatives, improving organizational efficiency.

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