Oracle Licensing on AWS RDS: Best Practices and Recommend.

What is Oracle Licensing for AWS RDS?

• AWS RDS for Oracle: A managed database service offering Oracle databases.
• Licensing Models:
  • License Included (LI): AWS holds the Oracle database license; no separate purchase is needed.
  • Bring Your Own License (BYOL): Use existing Oracle Database licenses on AWS RDS.

Licensing Models for Oracle on AWS RDS

License Included (LI)

The License Included model is a straightforward approach to Oracle licensing on AWS RDS.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Definition and Benefits: Under the LI model, separate Oracle Database licenses are unnecessary. This model offers a bundled approach, where AWS holds the Oracle database software license. It’s a hassle-free option, especially for businesses with a simplified licensing process.
• How AWS Holds the License for Oracle: In the LI model, AWS handles the Oracle database software license, so businesses don’t have to deal with Oracle directly for licensing.
• Pricing and Flexibility: One of the standout features of the LI model is its pricing structure. Businesses can include the cost of the Oracle Database license in the hourly price of the Amazon RDS service. This approach optimizes license costs and offers flexibility when scaling AWS RDS instances. With no upfront fees or long-term commitments, businesses can scale up or down based on their needs.

Bring Your Own License (BYOL)

For businesses with existing Oracle Database licenses or those looking for a more customized approach, the BYOL model is worth considering.

Here’s a deep dive:

• Definition and Benefits: The BYOL model allows businesses to use their existing Oracle Database licenses on AWS RDS. It’s designed for those who prefer to leverage their current Oracle licenses or are considering purchasing new licenses directly from Oracle. This model offers a more tailored approach to licensing, especially for businesses with specific Oracle licensing agreements in place.
• How to Use Existing Oracle Licenses on AWS RDS: If you’re considering the BYOL model, you must ensure that you have the appropriate Oracle Database license for the DB instance class and edition you plan to run. This model requires businesses to adhere to Oracle’s licensing policies in the cloud computing environment. It’s a more hands-on approach, offering greater flexibility for businesses with unique licensing needs.
• Oracle License Portability to AWS: One significant advantage of the BYOL model is Oracle license portability. Subject to specific license agreement terms, Oracle licenses, including server-based licenses and enterprise license agreements, can be transferred for use on AWS.

Considerations for Oracle Licensing on AWS

When considering Oracle licensing on AWS, it’s essential to approach the topic with a discerning eye.

Here are some key points to ponder:

• CPU and vCPU Considerations: Oracle Database licensing on AWS is determined by the number of virtual CPUs on the EC2 instance where the database is installed. With some exceptions, each vCPU is a thread of either an Intel Xeon core or an AMD EPYC core. The number of CPU cores can be customized, and multithreading can be disabled if desired.
• Oracle Database Editions Supported Under Each Licensing Model: AWS offers two licensing models for Oracle: License Included (LI) and Bring Your Own License (BYOL). The LI model is available only for Oracle Standard Edition One and Two. The BYOL model is required for all other editions and any edition on Amazon EC2.
• Oracle Licensing on Amazon EC2 vs. Amazon RDS: Oracle licensing policies apply similarly to Oracle Database on Amazon RDS and Amazon EC2. However, the critical distinction is that hourly licensing is exclusively available on Amazon RDS.
• Oracle License Portability and Conditions: Oracle licenses might be portable to AWS, meaning existing licenses could potentially be transferred for use on AWS. However, specific conditions and potential costs are associated with porting licenses to AWS. It’s crucial to review the specific license agreement for details.

Common Mistakes Oracle Customers Make with Oracle on AWS

1. Overlooking Oracle Support Policies:
   • Many customers mistakenly believe they can seamlessly transition to Oracle AWS RDS, even with unsupported licenses on-premise. It’s crucial to understand that to use Oracle on AWS RDS, one must strictly adhere to Oracle’s support policies.
2. Neglecting License Compliance Management:
   • A prevalent misconception is that once on AWS, there’s no need to manage Oracle license compliance. This couldn’t be further from the truth. As with on-premise deployments, diligent compliance management is essential when using Oracle on AWS.
3. Assuming Immunity from Oracle Audits:
   • Some customers assume that “Oracle won’t audit us.” In reality, using Oracle AWS on RDS is a significant audit trigger. It’s imperative to remain vigilant and prepared for potential audits.

FAQs

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