IBM Informix Developer's Handbook - IBM Redbooks

Table 1-1 Informix licensed versions
Licensing term Defined
Processor Value Unit
(PVU)
(also known as processor-based
pricing)
Authorized User
Single Install
Calculated using the number of processor cores in the physical server
multiplied by the corresponding value units based on processor
architecture. An unlimited user or connection license and is usually
the optimal choice when the user or session load cannot be controlled
or counted.
A single named user or specific individual accessing one installation
of Informix on each physical or virtual server. That authorized user can
establish multiple connections to an Informix instance on the server.
Each connection is for the exclusive use of that one authorized user
from a single client device.
Concurrent Session A single logical connection from a client device to an Informix instance
on each physical or logical server. Each connection, whether active or
not, requires a license, regardless of whether it comes from one client
device with multiple users or from a single user establishing multiple
connections. The number of concurrent sessions is counted from the
client device, rather than at the server level, regardless of whether the
connection is directly to the Informix instance or indirectly or whether
it is through application servers, persistent connectivity layers,
connection multiplexers or concentrators, or any other technology
inserted between the actual user and the Informix instance.
Limited Use Socket
(LU Socket)
Available only on Informix Growth Edition, this license allows for
licensing on a physical socket potentially containing multiple cores. A
LU Socket license is required for each active processor socket. This
licensing metric can be used only on a physical server with no more
than four physical sockets. You can purchase licenses for up to four
physical sockets and use up to 16 cores.
Install An “Install” is an installed copy of an Informix product on a physical
server (or partition thereof) or in a virtual machine image. For
example, if a physical server is segmented into partitions, whether
logical (also know as LPARs) or physical, each partition containing
Informix is considered a separate IBM Informix “Install” for licensing
purposes and restrictions. The concept of an “Install” applies to the
licensing limits specified for all Informix Editions.
Informix Choice Edition
Informix Choice Edition is ideal for small to medium size business. This edition is
available for both Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh operating systems.
This edition is limited to a total of eight cores over a maximum of two sockets and
8 GB of RAM operating. The Informix Choice Edition includes limited Enterprise
Replication (ER) clustering with 2-root nodes to send or receive data updates
within the cluster. This edition also provides limited high availability (HA) cluster
functionality. Along with the primary server, you can have one secondary node,
Chapter 1. Introduction to IBM Informix 5