Do I need a new License key when upgrading Oracle and consequently updating Shareplex binaries ( (4298968)

Customers wish to upgrade Oracle while retaining the existing Shareplex version subject to the compatibility between the two. However, even if they wish to retain the existing Shareplex version, they still need to update Shareplex binaries. The reason being that Shareplex binaries for a particular version are compiled for a combination of Oracle and OS version, they are different for each such Oracle and OS combination. So if one were to upgrade Oracle and/or OS, one still needs to update the Shareplex install accordingly. The question arises as to whether the updated Shareplex installation would need a new License key.

Shareplex License keys come in two forms, permanent and trial keys. Both these keys are a function of Shareplex version. In addition, the permanent license keys are also a function of the hostname, # of CPUs in the server and OS, among others. None of this information changes if the Oracle version changed but the Shareplex version was retained. So, while new binaries are required for the same Shareplex version to run with new Oracle version, it does not require new license keys, whether one is using permanent or trial keys.

Another thing to note is that Shareplex keys only identify the first digit of the version. For example, a key generated for version 5.1 will also be valid for version 5.2 and version 5.3. In short when we say that the key is valid for version 5.x (where x is any numeric value), we mean that it is valid for Shareplex 5.1, 5.2, etc. So if you had a permanent key issued to you when you were on 5.1, and subsequently decided to upgrade to 5.3, the key will still be valid.