Re: Upgrading an Oracle server to dual processors

Anthony Talltree <aad_at_nwnet.net> wrote in article <61j127$5df_at_lovecraft.nwnet.net>...

<snip>

> >On average, 70%+ of 'CPU problems' I've seen are down to poor
 application
> >and/or database design rather than hardware or Oracle SGA config.
>
> Then one must weigh the cost of trying to find a qualified consultant to
 tune
> the application against the cost of faster hardware.

Excellent observation. It sounds like you've been there.
>
> >Given the cost of processors and your current CPU load -- go for it!
 (If I
> >were you I wouldn't stop at
> >two processors, but I would go directly to four processors.)
>
> That would quadruple his Oracle license costs, wouldn't it?
>

Probably not. The last time I checked a year ago, Oracle enforces an 8-user per CPU minimum license count for most platforms. Since this application has 45 users (assuming that they are not licensed a s concurrent due to sporadic use - which I doubt based on the CPU utilization), that means that the 4 CPU minimum license count is 32 - less than the 45 users. There is probably no increase in the Oracle RDBMS Server license fee. However, many companies have custom agreements with Oracle so the impact of any change in licensing expenses should be determined up front.

My complements to Anthony - many people don't think of license expenses when performing hardware upgrades.

-- 
Regards,

Jeff Gentry                              Carpe Diem!!!
Computer Systems Authority   Systems Consultant
Mailto:jgentry_at_csac.com        Mailto:jlgentry_at_worldnet.att.net