Multi-Core Chips And Software Licensing

i_r_sensitive writes "NetworkWorldFusion has an article on the interaction between multi-core processors and software licensed and charged on a per-processor basis. Interesting to see how/if Oracle and others using this pricing model react. Can multi-core processors put the final nail in per-processor licensing?"

Comments

Per Processor -- Per Core

[Iesus_Christus]

If the efforts of other corporations bent on protecting their intellectual property (RIAA) are any indication, per-processor licensing will move to per-core licensing. If the RIAA can force you to pay multiple times for the same song (which you, unfortunately, cannot move between preferred mediums), then it would make sense that software companies bent on collecting money would make you pay multiple times for one processor. On the other hand, they are somewhat different issues: usage of music would be governed under fair use (in theory), while usage of software (at in terms of licensing per processor) would be governed by the EULA or another contract between the corporation and customer.

Re:I doubt it

[jarich]

"Can multi-core processors put the final nail in per processor licensing?"

no, but i bet linux can.

Oracle runs on Linux.

Oracle charges per CPU.

Your point was?

Buy Robot

[Doc Ruby]

Businesses charge the maximum they can, for maximum total profit: "what the market will bear". Per-processor prices are just a way to negotiate how much money the customer can make from the software, therefore how much is available from their revenue to pay the software supplier. Just like when an employee negotiates their income, they are negotiating for a share of their employer's revenue to which their work contributes. I'd like to see a software licensing model that treats the software's work as automated labor, and negotiates accordingly. Like some kind of profit sharing. People don't get paid up front, why should the software company? That allows a timeframe for a "test drive" during which both parties can get benchmarks on the actual value of the software.

Re:I doubt it

[globalar]

Oracle charges for cores individually. (see the Processor section)

Perhaps a compromise will result. Eventually a 2CPU license could entirely replace a single CPU license. At such a stage licenses could be bundled as 2CPU, 4CPU, etc. As multicores become the norm, naturally 1CPU licenses should phase out entirely.

This would allow companies to keep their per core licensing scheme. Customers would get the feeling of a deal by getting a muticore license. Perhaps the market would lower the cost of 2CPU license to what a single CPU would be worth.

HT is another matter - architecturally and performance-wise.

Multiple processors, VMWare, and such

[k4_pacific]

I think it is interesting that, Windows running on a 2 CPU machine requires a 2 CPU license, but, say, 5 instances of VMWare running on a single CPU, each hosting an instance of Windows, requires five licenses. (Six if the instances of VMWare are themselves running on Windows)

Also, what if there was a VMWare-like program that simulated a SMP machine? Would that require a multiple CPU license to run Windows? Even if this program that emulated a SMP machine was running on a single CPU?

Re:Oracle 9i RAC doesn't charge for HT

[nettdata]

However, Oracle is free to change their licensing once again.

Oracle Licensing is like mountain weather... if you don't like it, wait 10 minutes and it'll change.

Seriously, though, Oracle changes their licensing more than any other software company I've ever dealt with.

I won't be surprised to see their licensing change after they get some push-back from their customers.

The other thing they DO have a history for, though, is NOT helping customer out when it comes to a license change. I've seen customers sign the deal on a Monday, only to have new pricing come out on the Tuesday. If they'd waited a single day, their software licensing would have been around half of what they paid.

Joy.