Many organizations run mission-critical applications on Oracle Linux systems. Oracle recently announced a new pricing structure for its Oracle Linux Support offerings. Companies should review how the new structure affects their subscriptions and whether they should take advantage of Oracle’s premier offerings.
The Benefits of Using Oracle Linux
Let’s examine the benefits of using Oracle Linux as an enterprise operating system. Companies typically select Oracle Linux for the following reasons.
- Flexible and Robust Operating Environment – Oracle Linux provides both a Red Hat Compatible Kernel (RHCK) and its own Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel (UEK). This ensures seamless application binary compatibility with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) while also delivering enhanced performance, security, and reliability—especially when running Oracle databases and applications.
- Compatibility—All Oracle software solutions, including the popular Oracle Database, are developed using Oracle Linux. The database and operating system’s native compatibility enables optimal performance. Developers can troubleshoot the complete development stack to identify and resolve operating system issues.
- Performance – The Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel (UEK) is an integral component of Oracle Linux. The kernel is optimized to provide ideal performance for Oracle software. Software improvements are introduced in Oracle Linux before inclusion in other distributions.
- Security – Oracle Linux provides enhanced security capabilities such as:
- Improving firewall functionality;
- Enforcing data at rest encryption;
- Redacting sensitive data in SQL query results automatically;
- Blocking SQL injection attacks;
- Integrating database and OS audit data.
- Rapid deployment – Oracle Linux offers preassembled and integrated systems to minimize the time and complexity required to implement viable business systems.
- Unobtrusive updates – Teams can use Oracle Ksplice to apply patches and security updates without downtime. Ksplice enables companies to keep business-critical applications running while installing crucial Linux updates and maintaining operating system security and performance.
- Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) – Oracle Linux offers the following features to improve RAS.
- The Machine Check Exception (MCE) daemon detects and reports on hardware issues so they can be addressed proactively.
- Oracle Linux supports processor and system-level fault management.
- Oracle Clusterware allows multiple Oracle Linux servers to cluster for enhanced availability and resiliency.
- Data integrity solutions validate information across the complete data path.
The New Oracle Linux Pricing Structure
Oracle offers three versions of Oracle Linux Support that provide customers with different features and limitations.
Oracle Linux Basic Support
Each physical CPU pair of Oracle Linux Basic Support is priced at $699 per year. Customers have 24/7 access to log unlimited service requests via the web or phone. Oracle also provides access to patches, updates, and security fixes. Support professionals operate 18 support hubs in 27 languages.
Pricing is per physical CPU pair. Systems with over two CPUs must purchase additional support subscriptions for each extra CPU pair. Linux Basic support must cover all physical CPUs on systems where you run Oracle Linux. Teams can use Oracle Linux Basic Support for up to two virtual machines per physical CPU pair.
Oracle Linux Premier Support
Oracle Linux Premier is priced at $1,399 per year for each physical CPU pair. The price of Oracle Linux Premier Support has not changed, so customers will not see any subscription increase. Pricing is per physical CPU pair or for up to two virtual machines per physical CPU pair.
Oracle Linux Premier Support includes everything in Basic Support, plus additional features that increase its value beyond technical support. These features include:
- Container orchestration;
- Container and virtual machine management;
- High availability;
- Zero-downtime patching;
- Premier backports;
- Lifetime sustaining support.
Oracle Linux Premier Plus Support
Oracle Linux Premier Plus is a new offering designed to support server virtualization. It includes all the features of Premier Support. Oracle Linux Premier Plus is priced at $2,499 for each physical CPU pair with unlimited virtual machines. The key addition of support for unlimited VMs provides customers with the best value when migrating from VMware to Oracle Linux.
Let VAST Help You Navigate the Oracle Linux Landscape
VAST’s long strategic partnership with Oracle gives us the experience and expertise to optimize your company’s Oracle Linux environment. Whether you are migrating to Oracle Linux or want to get the maximum value from your existing infrastructure, VAST has your back. We’ll help you determine the most cost-effective way to leverage Oracle Linux to meet your business and IT objectives.
Contact us today, and let us help you get your business needs from Oracle Linux.
