Oracle “License Included” Model on AWS
The License Included model for Oracle on AWS simplifies licensing by including Oracle software licenses directly within AWS service fees. In this scenario, you do not need to purchase or provide Oracle licenses separately.
This guide clearly explains how the License Included model works, what’s included, its benefits, limitations, and practical examples for deploying Oracle software on AWS.
Read Oracle on AWS Licensing FAQs 1 of 4
What is the Oracle “License Included” Model?
Definition:
- Under the License Included model, AWS bundles Oracle software licensing costs into the hourly or reserved-instance service fees.
- You pay AWS directly; no separate Oracle license is required.
Key Points about the License Included Model
1. Where “License Included” Is Available on AWS
The Oracle License Included model is offered exclusively for specific Oracle editions and services:
- Amazon RDS for Oracle: Offers License Included for Oracle Database Standard Edition Two (SE2).
- Enterprise Edition (EE) is unavailable in a License Included model on AWS. For EE deployments, you must always use BYOL.
- AWS EC2: No license included. Oracle deployments are available—you must use BYOL if you manually install Oracle software on EC2.
Practical Example:
- Launch an RDS instance for Oracle SE2 via AWS Console with License Included:
- Pay only AWS hourly fees.
- Oracle licensing is handled entirely by AWS.
Why It Matters:
- Clearly understand availability—License Included simplifies deployments but is limited to SE2 on RDS.
2. What’s Included in AWS’s Oracle License Included Pricing
AWS’s License Included model provides more than just the Oracle software license:
- Oracle Database license for Standard Edition Two.
- Oracle software updates and patches are automatically provided by AWS (via AWS’s agreement with Oracle).
- AWS handles all required license reporting and compliance directly to Oracle.
Practical Example:
- Deploying Oracle SE2 on RDS License Included:
- AWS manages licensing compliance.
- You require no separate reporting to Oracle.
Important Note:
- You still must comply with Oracle’s edition-specific usage rules (not exceeding permitted features).
3. Cost Benefits and Scalability of License Included
The License Included model provides distinct cost and scaling advantages, especially for transient or short-term workloads:
- Ideal for development/test environments or temporary projects:
- Pay only during usage (hourly or reserved instance).
- Avoid purchasing expensive perpetual licenses for short-term needs.
- Cost-efficient for intermittent workloads (e.g., databases running during business hours only).
Practical Example:
- A development Oracle SE2 database running 8 hours per day (Monday–Friday):
- The license-included model minimizes cost by paying only when the instance runs.
Long-Term Consideration:
- For steady-state production workloads:
- BYOL might be cheaper if you already own perpetual licenses.
Read Bring Your Own License (BYOL) for Oracle on AWS.
4. Limitations of the License Included Model
Despite its convenience, the License Included model comes with clear limitations:
- Limited to specific Oracle editions and configurations (SE2 on RDS only).
- You cannot upgrade a License Included SE2 instance to Enterprise Edition or use EE-specific features.
- You cannot move AWS-provided licenses off the AWS infrastructure:
- If you move workloads on-premises later, you must purchase separate Oracle licenses.
Practical Example:
- Attempting to move an Oracle SE2 RDS instance off AWS:
- Requires purchasing new Oracle licenses—AWS licenses cannot be taken elsewhere.
Practical Summary: License Included Oracle Model on AWS
| Key Aspect | Clearly Explained | Practical Implications |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Limited to Amazon RDS Oracle SE2 only | Cost-effective for dev/test or transient use |
| Included Benefits | Simplifies deployment but limited | No separate Oracle reporting required |
| Cost & Scalability | Ideal for short-term or intermittent workloads | Clearly cost-effective for dev/test or transient use |
| Limitations | SE2 only, no EE features, AWS-only use | No portability outside AWS infrastructure |
Oracle License Included Compliance Checklist on AWS
✅ Identify workloads suitable for the License Included model (SE2 on RDS).
✅ Use License Included for simplified compliance and short-term deployments.
✅ Ensure compliance with Oracle’s edition-specific usage limits.
✅ Plan clearly for future portability restrictions if choosing License Included.
Read Counting Oracle Processor Licenses on AWS EC2.
Common Misunderstandings Corrected
- Misconception: “License Included is available for all Oracle products on AWS.”
- Reality: Limited to Oracle Database SE2 on Amazon RDS only.
- Misconception: “License Included Oracle licenses can be transferred outside AWS.”
- Reality: License Included licenses clearly must remain on AWS infrastructure only.
- Misconception: “License Included includes Oracle EE and advanced features.”
- Reality: Only Oracle SE2 is available under License Included; no EE or advanced features are included.
Conclusion: Understanding Oracle’s “License Included” Model on AWS
Understanding AWS’s Oracle License Included model helps your organization leverage simplified compliance and cost-effective deployments, especially for temporary, intermittent, or development workloads.
However, recognizing the model’s limitations ensures you select the right Oracle licensing approach (License Included or BYOL) based on your usage requirements, long-term needs, and existing license investments.
