>
White Paper . Database

Db2 Licensing Explained.

The full Db2 licensing reference. The Db2 edition matrix, the PVU and authorised user metrics, sub capacity eligibility, the feature pack architecture, and the Cloud Pak for Data containment question.

Pages
38
Time to read
52 min
Updated
Q2 2026

What is inside.

  • The Db2 product family and the licensing architecture. The metric choice across the product family.
  • The Db2 edition matrix. AESE, AWSE, Standard, Workgroup, Developer, and the feature differences across the editions.
  • The PVU and authorised user metrics on Db2. The metric choice on each edition and the operational implications.
  • The Db2 sub capacity eligibility, the ILMT requirement, the reporting cadence, and the failure modes specific to Db2.
  • The Db2 feature pack architecture, the entitlement to the base versus the feature pack, and the audit risk on feature usage.
  • The Db2 entitlement contained in Cloud Pak for Data, the conversion ratio, and the standalone versus Cloud Pak licensing trade off.
  • The optimisation moves on Db2. Edition rationalisation, metric conversion, sub capacity coverage, feature pack right sizing.
  • The Db2 renewal posture. The negotiation levers, the edition swap rights, the multi year commitment trade offs.

Who this is for.

  • The DBA leadership team owning the Db2 estate.
  • The SAM lead managing the Db2 entitlement record.
  • The procurement leader negotiating the Db2 renewal.
  • The architecture team evaluating Cloud Pak for Data.
Read the white paper

Access the full guide.

Corporate email required. We use the address to verify the request and to send the related papers in the series.

Please use your corporate email address.
By submitting you agree to our privacy notice. We do not share your details with IBM or any third party.
Independence statement. IBM Licensing Experts is an independent advisory firm. We are not an IBM Business Partner, reseller, or affiliate. We have no resell margin tied to our recommendations. This guide reflects our reading of IBM published terms and current customer practice. Read more on why independence matters.
Table of contents

The 8 chapters in this guide.

1. The Db2 frame

The Db2 product family and the licensing architecture. The metric choice across the product family.

2. The Db2 editions

The Db2 edition matrix. AESE, AWSE, Standard, Workgroup, Developer, and the feature differences across the editions.

3. The metrics

The PVU and authorised user metrics on Db2. The metric choice on each edition and the operational implications.

4. Sub capacity eligibility

The Db2 sub capacity eligibility, the ILMT requirement, the reporting cadence, and the failure modes specific to Db2.

5. Feature pack architecture

The Db2 feature pack architecture, the entitlement to the base versus the feature pack, and the audit risk on feature usage.

6. The Cloud Pak for Data question

The Db2 entitlement contained in Cloud Pak for Data, the conversion ratio, and the standalone versus Cloud Pak licensing trade off.

7. Optimisation moves

The optimisation moves on Db2. Edition rationalisation, metric conversion, sub capacity coverage, feature pack right sizing.

8. The renewal posture

The Db2 renewal posture. The negotiation levers, the edition swap rights, the multi year commitment trade offs.

Related expertise

Where this guide connects.

This guide connects to Database, Sub Capacity, Cloud Paks, and the broader services portfolio. The work is most powerful when paired with the underlying operational evidence and the renewal cycle timing. See the related papers below and the insights blog for ongoing commentary.

Related white papers

The connected papers in the series.

Sub Capacity Guide

The sub capacity framework that applies to Db2.

Read the guide

Cloud Pak Licensing Guide

The Cloud Pak for Data context.

Read the guide

PVU Optimization

The PVU optimisation framework.

Read the guide