[Info-vax] How does VSI license pricing on Itanium work? By socket, by core, by relative performance. I can't get a straight answer from VSI.

[Kerry Main]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Info-vax <info-vax-bounces at rbnsn.com> On Behalf Of David Turner
> via Info-vax
> Sent: March 22, 2020 11:00 AM
> To: info-vax at rbnsn.com
> Cc: David Turner <dturner- at -islandco.com>
> Subject: Re: [Info-vax] How does VSI license pricing on Itanium work? By
> socket, by core, by relative performance. I can't get a straight answer
from
> VSI.
> 
> Operating System (Operating Environment) are sold as PER SOCKET LICENSES
> 
> Addons, like clustering and volume shadowing etc are per core still I
believe
> 
> That basically means you have to get a bank loan for Clustering and Vol
> Shadowing unless you upgrade from BASIC OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
> (BOE) to High-Availability Operating Environment (HA-OE)
> 
> 
> So to confirm , VSI does what HPE has been doing.  Per Socket for OS, per
> core for others
> 
> 
> 
> On 2/29/2020 5:50 PM, Jon Pinkley wrote:
> > I am really quite frustrated.
> >
> > I am trying to determine the cost of an HAOE license for an rx2800 i4 or
i6
> with single 8 core processor.
> >
> > All I get it runaround.  I won't name names, but it was directly from
VSI.
> >
> > Jon
> >
> 

David,

I am pretty sure both VSI and HPE use per socket licensing for Integrity
servers. This applies to both OS and LP's.

This change occurred in V8.4 timeframe as I recall. Earlier pre-V8.4
versions were core based as you mentioned.

Reference:
<http://vmssoftware.com/docs/VSI_OpenVMS_OS_and_OE/VSI%20SPD-Operating_Envir
onment.pdf> - see page 3

<http://h30266.www3.hpe.com/PDFs/OE8234.pdf> - see page 4

Practically speaking, on older multi-socket Integrity systems with low core
counts, the difference in overall pricing is likely worth looking at buying
a new I4/I6 Integrity server with a single socket and fewer cores. From a
perf perspective, there is not much difference between I4 and I6 servers,
but I6 servers will have better warranty. Not sure what the difference in
base server HW pricing is.

If running Oracle (Ent or Rdb are core based), then that will even further
justifying new servers with both lower socket/core counts. Even if
additional performance is not required, overall cost reduction and newer
systems with warranty included is something for Cust's to consider looking
at (cost reductions would likely easily pay for new servers HW)

As always, contact VSI for official feedback.


Regards,

Kerry Main
Kerry dot main at starkgaming dot com