In this article we will be taking a quick look at the Oracle Processor and Named User Plus metrics, what they mean, the main differences between them and which one is more appropriate to use in your environment.
Before we get into the details, let’s start off by understanding what the Processor and NUP metrics are.
Oracle Database licensing uses two main metrics – Processor and Named User Plus – to accommodate diverse business needs and deployment scenarios. These two metrics allow Oracle to offer flexible licensing options that align with varying usage patterns and organizational requirements, ensuring both scalability and cost efficiency.
The Processor metric is based on the number of cores/sockets in the server where the Oracle software is installed and/or running. Unlike metrics that count individual users, this model focuses on the total processing power available to Oracle software, allowing organizations to scale their deployments without worrying about the number of individual users accessing the system.
The number of Processors is calculated by taking into account both physical and virtual cores, depending on the server’s architecture. For Database Enterprise Edition, Oracle uses a Processor Core Factor Table to calculate the required number of Processor licenses based on the chip vendor and processor type.
The Named User Plus metric is a method for licensing Oracle software based on the number of unique users or non-human operated devices that have access to the Oracle software. Each user or non-human operated device, referred to as a "Named User Plus," requires a separate license. This model ensures that every individual or device accessing the software is taken into account and licensed accordingly.
Licensing under the Named User Plus metric involves counting the total number of individuals or devices that directly or indirectly access the Oracle software, regardless of whether they are active users at any given time.
If multiplexing hardware or software (e.g., a TP monitor or a web server product) is used, then all users at the multiplexing front end must be counted. In addition to older Named User metric, the Named User Plus also permits batching of data from computer to computer.
When licensing Oracle Database products under the NUP metric, Oracle specifies minimum requirements which may vary based on the specific edition of the database and the hardware configuration.
By adding minimums, Oracle ensures that a minimum base monetary value is set for the Oracle product regardless of where a customer might deploy it, thus even in low-user scenarios, there is a correlation between the license requirements and the processing power of the server, preventing significant under-licensing in powerful hardware environments.
Here is a more detailed look at these minimums:
The Processor metric is ideal for organizations or environments where applications are accessed by a large, uncountable or continuously fluctuating user population. An environment with web-based services is a very good example where the Processor metric is most suitable.
On the other hand, the Named User Plus metric is suited for environments with a stable, easily countable and identifiable user base, providing a clear and predictable future evolution of the user population.
For those environments where the actual number of users is below the minimums required by Oracle and where the allocation of Named User Plus metric is possible, the license cost would be half the cost of Processor licenses. Named User Plus is the ideal lower cost answer for development or test environments.
Livingstone can provide help in choosing the most appropriate Oracle licensing metric, by offering deep knowledge of Oracle’s complex licensing rules and expert guidance tailored to customer’s specific business needs.
Livingstone can support in accurately evaluating the licensing requirements for current or future environment configurations, ensuring optimal license metric selection for compliance, cost efficiency, avoidance of expensive penalties and maximization of software investments.
We've collated Oracle-focused learning materials spanning Java, ULAs and more. Access them here.
Alex Ionescu is a senior consultant at Livingstone. He has deep knowledge of Oracle having previously worked in Global Licensing and Advisory at Oracle.