Re: Dual Processor Server or 2 x Single Processor RAC Nodes?

On Tue, 05 Apr 2005 13:41:38 +1000, Mike Cretan interested us by writing:

> Hi there Gentlemen and Ladies.
>
> I am in a bit of a quandry...
>
> We need to upgrade our oracle licenses from the current single processor
> Oracle standard licence (which we run on Windows 2000 sp4 with 6 x Direct
> Attach SCSI 18GB Drives in a raid 1 and raid 10 configuration) to a dual
> processor configuration for performance and reliability reasons.

Appreciate the detail! Wish everyone would do that.

>
> We have the option of either purchasing another Oracle Standard Edition CPU
> licence for $19K, plus to the ongoing support costs or purchasing a new 2 x
> CPU licence of Oracle Standard Edition One for $12K. The Oracle salesmen
> say that OSE1 doesn't include RAC, but would we want to RAC in a small
> system like this?

Oracle Sales rep's gonna hate me as they tend to watch for every penny around this time ...

Do you feel that the new configuration hold you for performance & reliability for 2-3 years?

If yes, then go for OSE1, save the 7K and the associated support fees for the duration. Document this in the project files. Then, when it's time to buy the licenses for the second machine, remember that you have saved ($7K + (2[years] x 22% of $7K)) and apply that savings during the negotiations. That way, it doesn't hurt so much.

However, at that time, you should also look at the additional things Enterprise Edition will give you and seriously consider moving up to that level if it's reasonable. The built-in features of EE are pretty serious cost savings for knowledgeable organizations.

Of course, this assumes list prices. You may also discuss discounts with the rep and bump up to SE now if the budget allows and the discount is reasonable.

However, if there is a planned possibility that you'll need upgrade to more than 2 CPUs in less than 24 months, I'd seriously consider going SE right away. That way you don't need to look at a 4-CPU machine when the upgrade comes - all you do is throw in another 2-CPU, license the new config and activate RAC.

/Hans

-- 
Hans Forbrich                           
Canada-wide Oracle training and consulting
mailto: Fuzzy.GreyBeard_at_gmail.com   
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