| | | | Server Virtualization and Software Licensing
Server virtualization allows companies to better leverage their processing resources, which can enable them to deploy more cost effective computing infrastructures. However, organizations need to also consider the impact of such changes as it relates to their software licensing requirements.
Each software vendor has its own virtualization licensing rules and some use processor-related metrics. In this instance, a software vendor probably requires the product to be licensed by the entire processor bandwidth of the server. For example, what happens if you have a 16-processor server split up into 4 virtual sessions that accommodate 4 different software vendor products, but each session has access to all processors?
With Oracle, expect to have your licensing cover the maximum amount of processor bandwidth that a particular Oracle product has the potential to utilize. Any expectations Oracle has for licensing is based on that potential. From Oracle's viewpoint, you'll need 16 licenses (assuming that the core server count is equal to 1.0).
Unfortunately, the reality is that it is highly unlikely that any of the 4 sessions will ever be able to utilize the entire processing bandwidth of the server, even though you are paying for all the licensing. So, how can you create a more efficient and optimal scenario? Well, it really depends upon the particular needs of an organization and its infrastructure as there are business and performance reasons for organizations to run on less cost effective configurations as well as in high cost configurations. It is important for an organization to fully understand the software licensing requirements of its vendors and the contracts (especially the terms and conditions) in order to create the most optimal and cost efficient environment.
In general, each software manufacturer will address their licensing requirements within Server Virtualized environments based upon its own expectations of use by its client base and can be very different from vendor to vendor and client to client. The difficulty for organizations today is that server virtualization technologies and solutions are consistently changing and evolving and software manufacturers must constantly adjust their licensing requirements to address the technological changes. The additional flexibilities and capabilities that these new technologies bring also increase the complexities of licensing your software within them, which ends up being a double edged sword.
The point is that you can never be too careful with your licensing when it comes to server virtualization. While many companies may be seeking to cut short-term costs by 15% or more, the long-term effects may result in unnecessary costs.
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