Re: Oracle 8.0.5 and database links

On 28 Jul 1999 07:54:01 GMT, dbaoracle_at_aol.com (DBAOracle) wrote:

>We have migrated two Oracle databases from 7.3 to 8.0.5.1. Unfortunatly the
>database links in the newly migrated databases no longer work (these links
>point back to other 7.3 databases). I can create links to other 805 databases
>with no problem. I've also tested building the same link in 8.0.4.3 and it
>appears to work fine. Oracle 8.1.5 gives the same failure.
>
>I've worked with Oracle support for two days, and I am certain this is a bug,
>has anyone found a work around they would like to share please? I have also
>tried to create a new 8.0.5 database and the links still don't work (so this
>isn't a migration issue).
>
>Robert
>

Robert,

Although not, from your description, the same problem I was having, maybe the following information will be of help.

There is a problem when connecting from an Oracle 8.0.5 instance to another 8.0.5 instance. For example:

DB1		Oracle 7.3.4 instance
DB2		Oracle 8.0.4 instance
DB3		Oracle 8.0.5 instance
DB4		Oracle 8.0.5 instance

Scenario 1:
- From within the DB1 enviornment run sqlplus. From within SQLPLUS 'Connect user_at_DB2': No problems.
Scenario 2:
- From within the DB1 enviornment run sqlplus. From within SQLPLUS 'Connect user_at_DB3': No problems.
Scenario 3:
- From within the DB3 enviornment run sqlplus. From within SQLPLUS 'Connect user_at_DB1': No problems.
Scenario 4:
- From within the DB3 enviornment run sqlplus. From within SQLPLUS 'Connect user_at_DB2': No problems.
Scenario 5:
- From within the DB3 enviornment run sqlplus. From within SQLPLUS 'Connect user_at_DB4': Error: Failed Authentication Services.

There only seems to be a problem when connecting from an Oracle 8.0.5 instance to another 8.0.5 instance.

If the line 'SQLNET.AUTHENTICATION_SERVICES' is commented out of '/var/opt/oracle/sqlnet.ora' or if the value is changed to 'BEQ,NONE' then the error no longer occurs.

Oracle were notified of this problem. The work around they suggest is the one described above.

The Oracle documentation describes:

SQLNET.AUTHENTICATION_SERVICES
 Purpose:

          Enables one or more authentication services. If authentication has been installed, it is recommended that this parameter be set to either NONE or to one of the authentication adapters.
 Available
 Values:

          NONE - the database will use the username and password to log in

          ALL - Enables all authentication adapters to be used.

          BEQ - always used in conjunction with one or more of the following items:

          KERBEROS5 - use the Kerberos adaptor

          SECURID - use SecurID

          CYBERSAFE - use Cybersafe

          IDENTIX - use Identix

          DCEGSSAPI - use DCE GSSAPI
 Example:   

          sqlnet.authentication_services =(beq, kerberos5, cybersafe) Received on Wed Jul 28 1999 - 21:30:09 CDT