SPARC64 VII+ Processor Core License Factor Reduced by 33%
- by john.shell
The Oracle processor core license factor has been a popular topic the last few months. For those partners new to Oracle software licensing, the processor core license factor determines the number licensed CPUs that are required when running Oracle software (those charged on a per-CPU basis) on multi-core processors.My last entry talked about the core factor reduction for our T3 processor. The core license factor for our newly announced SPARC64 VII+ processor is 0.5, which is a 33% reduction from the 0.75 rate used with our SPARC64 VI and VII processors.What does this mean for our partners? Increased opportunity. This change, similar to our T3-based systems, means that our hardware is the preferred platform for Oracle software. Still a little dizzy on the breadth of Oracle's software offering? Do a simple scan of Oracle's software price lists. Consider this your target market.This change allows you to focus on total solution price or price/performance, not server prices or per core performance (a standard IBM sales tactic). That's the offensive side of the game. Don't forget your defense. One of the biggest customer benefits around the M-Series is investment protection. The combination of a simple processor/board upgrade, along with a reduction in processor core license factor, makes upgrading one of the best financial moves for our customers. One reminder. The update to the processor core license factor only applies to the new VII+ processor - NOT the SPARC64 VI or VII processors. You can find the official table here.
