Re: Oracle costs and requirements

On Thu, 24 Nov 2005 19:22:41 +0000, Matt Bailey wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I risk sounding like an idiot here, but I'm a database newbie and I
> don't know the first thing about Oracle - not a jot!
>
> I'm currently doing a University assignment that requires me to cost
> out an Oracle database for a company, along with all its trimmings,
> but I've been unable to find any information on the web.
>
> It's a small company and its data requirements are very small. I'm
> wondering if anyone here can help me out with my estimation. I need to
> know:
>
> A. What's required for an Oracle database?
>
> So far I'm assuming:
>
> A server (any particular kind?)
> The Oracle 10g software
> An Oracle license (don't have a clue about this)
>
> but is there anything else?
>

That's sufficient for holding the data. How 'bout managing, manipulating, updating and archiving the data? Generally you'd starting thing about the actual application and the environment - for example, ow do you plan for long-term backups?

>
> B. How much does all this stuff cost?
>

Depends.

If the result will fit on a single CPU, 1GBRAM, 4GB data environment using Linux or Windows, you could use ORacle Database E10g Release 2 Express Edition entirely for 'no fee'. Catch is - like 'free and open source software', you gotta look for support.

Otherwise go to http://store.oracle.com and see the list prices. It's damned expensive if you don't take advantage of the capabilities - and many novice developers don't know enough to take advantage of those capabilities. If you do take advantage, though, it will give just about the best ROI of any rdbms, including open source.

A smart architect will separate the database machine from the application services. If you buy licenses, it's by CPU or by 'end-user human'. Plunking the app and the database stuff on the same machine will require more CPU and you gotta pay for all the CPU on the machine, even if 1/2 the CPU are being used by stuff other than Oracle.

Oracle's a BIG subject. Get involved in a local Oraqcle Users Group (see http://www.oracle.com and search in the About Oracle area for official OUGs). It's not your baby brother's Access upgraded - hire a consultant, take training or buy http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/oressentials3/ and http://apress.com/book/bookDisplay.html?bID=10008

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