SQL*Net and logging-on to a database server

We are establishing a client-server model with Oracle7 in Sun machines and OracleTools in PC and Mac platforms. We use SQL*Net V1.1.x to establish the connection.

In the Oracle7 database, users are created with the OPS$ naming convention. As everyone knows, this makes things simpler for the users to log onto Oracle by just entering "/" at the log-on screen.

Now in our client front-ends (ie. Forms V4.0), when we attempt to connect to the database server, it does not recognize the "/" anymore. I know this is an operating system-specific problem, but does anyone know a workaround so that the users don't have to specify OPS$<name> and the password? In all cases at our installation, the users don't even know what password the DBA assigned to their OPS$<name> account because the DBA wanted to keep things "transparent" as possible.

I know there is a SQLNET_USERNAME parameter in the SQL*Net configuration files, but this strongly lacks any security measures.

At the minimum, we would like the users to enter their Unix (ie. Sun machine) name and password at the Oracle log-on screen, and this in turn should activate the corresponding OPS$<name> in the Oracle7 database.

Thanks for any feedback on the matter.

Gerardo P. Fragante
Database Services
University of British Columbia Received on Tue Mar 08 1994 - 21:28:11 CET