Oracle Database In-Memory includes a “Base Level” feature. This will allow the use of Database In-Memory with up to a 16GB column store for no extra cost.

Starting in Oracle Database 21c, and backported to Oracle Database 19c starting in the 19.8 RU, we have introduced a new BASE_LEVEL value for the INMEMORY_FORCE parameter. When this new value is set the INMEMORY_SIZE parameter can be set up to a value of 16GB without having to license the Database In-Memory option. In fact, when the BASE_LEVEL value is set you cannot set the INMEMORY_SIZE parameter larger than 16GB. If you do then Oracle will generate an error message.

The 16GB limit applies at the container database (CDB) level. This means that all pluggable databases (PDBs) share the 16GB limit of the CDB. However, on RAC databases the Base Level feature allows a 16GB column store to be allocated on each RAC instance.

Feature tracking has been added to report usage of the Base Level feature as “In-Memory Base Level” so there should be no confusion as to whether the Base Level feature is being used or the full Database In-Memory option.

The new Base Level feature supports all Database In-Memory features except:
•    Automatic In-Memory  (AIM)
•    Compression levels other than MEMCOMPRESS FOR QUERY LOW
•    Excluded columns (all columns of a table are populated)
•    The CELLMEMORY feature on Exadata

The Base Level feature is also not available on Authorized Cloud Environments.

Other advanced Database In-Memory features like In-Memory Expressions, Join Groups, Automatic Data Optimization (ADO) and FastStart are available. For all of the details check out the Oracle Database documentation.

I am really excited about the new Base Level feature and the ability to “try out” Database In-Memory without having to license the full Database In-Memory option first. I think this will really highlight the value that Database In-Memory brings to analytic queries and showcase all of the features that are part of Database In-Memory. If you want to hear more about the new Base Level feature check out the Database In-Memory Base Level Summary on the DBIM YouTube channel.

 

Original version published: April 30, 2020