Re: Oracle Names Server

> Does anyone use the Oracle Names Server?

I've used Names Server for some time now.

> How many client systems do you need before it becomes fesable?

Not quite sure how many is the break even point, but we have hundreds of clients that use Names Server for TNS names resolution. It's been nice configuring one location when we have to make TNS entry changes.

> How difficult is it to configure?

It's not difficult at all. Metalink has some nice documents that lead you step by step.

> How do you test changes before making a change for everyone?

We don't really test changes. There is no way to isolate your changes for testing purposes. But I suppose you could set up a Names Server that only you use if you want to test.

Once Names Server is set up, the only changes we've made is to modify TNS entries. This is pretty straightforward so testing is not really required.

> How do you insulate your ODBC users so they don't have to change their
> ODBC connection when you make an Oracle Names change?

We don't insulate our ODBC users. We use Oracle ODBC drivers which require a TNS entry. This TNS entry must be resolved. The ODBC dataset (DSN) is defined with the TNS entry. If the TNS entry changes in Names Server, the ODBC DSN automatically uses the new entry.

> Are there any good ways to learn more? (I have always had trouble
> reading SQL*Net documentation)

Go to Metalink and check out Note:1024682.6, Note:1030422.6, and Note:1014924.4 for starters.

I would also suggest using a Region Database as opposed to caching the Names configuration on disk. This seemed to help us a lot.

Also, Oracle will be going away from Names Server in the future. They are now pushing their new Oracle Internet Directory (OiD) which is an LDAP server for resolution of TNS entries among other things.

HTH,
Brian

-- 
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Brian Peasland
Raytheons Systems at
  USGS EROS Data Center
These opinions are my own and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of my 
company!
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