Are HPE Nonstop systems expensive?

Are HPE Nonstop systems expensive?

Justin Simonds, HPE Master Technologist

There continues to be misunderstanding concerning the pricing of a HPE Nonstop system. As I have stated and written many times, a HPE Nonstop system is rarely compared accurately and fairly with a comparable system (in my, of course, highly biased mind, there are no comparable systems but that’s a different article).

The HPE Nonstop system is a ‘complete’ system and if you acquire one of our platform systems, such as the NS9, you get hardware, operating system, management software, performance software, security software and what would be akin to clustering software. Anytime someone says that HPE Nonstop is expensive, you need to ask, compared to what?

Usually, the compared to system lacks many of the parts included with HPE Nonstop and when they are added, HPE Nonstop is found to be the more affordable solution. I might add that in the old days we also used to calculate the cost of downtime which is rarely done today. When that is added to the mix (which I haven’t done in this comparison), HPE Nonstop is downright cheap (should I say inexpensive/economical/reasonable?)

So, let’s get into an apples-to-apples comparison and we’ll find HPE Nonstop offers a significantly lower total cost of ownership (TCO) over five years compared to a Linux cluster running Oracle RAC (Real Application Clusters) and MAA (Maximum Availability Architecture), especially when accounting for both hardware/software costs and staffing requirements.

HPE Nonstop requires less hardware, fewer personnel, and streamlined patch management (rare on HPE Nonstop – a common weekly/monthly event on Linux). It’s important to note that RAC/MAA on Linux has a much higher complexity and patching effort, demanding a larger IT team for management and security.^[1][2]

Cost and TCO Comparison

• HPE Nonstop systems have been shown in peer-reviewed benchmarks to deliver up to 1.6x to 2.2x lower TCO than a clustered Oracle RAC/MAA solution on equivalent workloads and hardware specs, especially as configurations scale up.^[1]
• NonStop integrates mission-critical SQL/MX databases directly, reducing additional licensing and tool costs often present with Oracle-based setups.^[2][1] (no additional cost for availability)
• Linux clusters with Oracle RAC and MAA frequently require more expensive storage (such as 3PAR arrays) and larger clusters, driving both initial and operational costs higher.^[2]

Staffing Requirements

HPE Nonstop’s integrated platform and single system image minimizes the staffing requirements for system management, application management, and patching overhead, needing about one-fifth the staffing of a comparable Linux-Oracle setup.^[2] Some argue that finding HPE Nonstop talent can be daunting. This is being addressed in a few ways. The HPE developer’s website has added a Nonstop section https://developer.hpe.com/platform/hpe-nonstop/home/. There is also a GitHub location to learn about Nonstop https://new2nonstop.github.io/nonstop101/. There is a new LinkedIn group called “New to Nonstop” that anyone can join and get answers about Nonstop. I believe we can say, there is a new generation that is coming to understand and appreciate Nonstop.

Security Patching & Maintenance

• HPE Nonstop: Quarterly patch recommendations, customized patch bundles, and proactive maintenance reviews, with HPE support for installation and analysis. Minimal disruption and comprehensive change management are standard; extra patching options are available if needed.^[3][4]
• Linux + Oracle RAC & MAA: Security patching for OS and Oracle software is ongoing and often urgent, especially as new vulnerabilities arise. Patches must be tested in complex clustered environments and can require significant downtime coordination, with admins responsible for applying Oracle CPUs and Linux patches separately across all nodes.^[5][6]
• Both systems require defense-in-depth security—a patch is only one step, but HPE Nonstop’s fault-tolerant architecture reduces surface area for exploits and operational disruption.^[4]

Additional Considerations

• NonStop systems benefit from seamless hardware/software integration, simplifying operations, patch management, and resilience engineering.^[3][4]
• Oracle RAC/MAA platforms depend on multiple layered products, third-party software, and storage arrays, increasing compatibility challenges, vulnerability management, and patch testing requirements.^[5][2]

Summary Table

In conclusion, as I have contended for many years, the HPE Nonstop system delivers superior value for highly available, mission-critical workloads over five years, primarily through lower staff costs, hardware consolidation, and simpler patch management processes than a Linux cluster running Oracle RAC and MAA.^{[6][4][3][5][1][2]}

Acknowledgements:

1. http://cc.cnetcontent.com/vcs/hp/inline-content/US/5/2/52C92ACB662026669D2D0E040AD1287BFA657487_source.pdf
2. https://connect2nonstop.com/managing-nonstop-applications-is-very-cost-effective/
3. https://www.hpe.com/us/en/collaterals/collateral.4aa0-1613enw.html
4. https://invgate.com/itdb/nonstop-os-l20
5. https://linuxsecurity.com/news/security-vulnerabilities/oracle-linux-april-2025-patch-update
6. https://docs.oracle.com/en/cloud/paas/database-dbaas-cloud/csdbi/apply-linux-os-security-patches.html
7. https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=a00123403en_us&page=GUID-E6276D94-0F1A-4047-837A-2B0F3C0EC493.html&docLocale=en_US
8. https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/oracle-database/21/haovw/high-availability-overview-and-best-practices.pdf
9. https://www.hpe.com/us/en/collaterals/collateral.5982-6669enw.html
10. https://www.peerspot.com/products/comparisons/hpe-nonstop_vs_oracle-sun-6000