Lesson 1

Now that you understand how an Oracle server is configured for SQL*Net and Oracle Net Services, it is time to look at how to configure an Oracle client. (As you recall from a prior module, any computer can be an Oracle client, an Oracle server, or both.)

After completing this module, you will be able to:

1. Describe the Windows file-system architecture for Oracle Net Services
2. Use SQL*Net Easy to manage tnsnames.ora
3. Run the Oracle installer for Oracle Net Services clients to install and configure Oracle Net Services
4. Use the Oracle Net Services Assistant to add a remote database to the tnsnames.ora file
5. Manage a "master" copy of tnsnames.ora in a large network
6. Test your Oracle Net Services connectivity to remote databases

The next lesson discusses how to identify the Oracle Net Services Windows file locations.

You can choose one of the following installation types when installing Oracle Database Client:

1. Instant Client: Installs only the shared libraries required by Oracle Call Interface applications that use the Instant Client feature. This installation type requires much less disk space than the other Oracle Database Client installation types. Included in the Instant Client installation is Instant Client Light. You may want to use this version of Instant Client if your applications generate error messages in American English only. The advantage of using Instant Client Light is that it has a much smaller footprint than regular Instant Client. Hence, your applications use less memory.
2. Administrator: Enables applications to connect to an Oracle database on the local system or on a remote system. It provides tools that let you administer an Oracle database.
3. Runtime: Enables applications to connect to an Oracle database on the local system or on a remote system.
4. Custom: Enables you to select individual components from the list of Administrator and Runtime components.