Re: What to Use for Server Name on Oracle Connection

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

stevebell821 wrote:
> I am trying to use the Microsoft OLE DB Provider for Oracle to establish a
> connection to an Oracle database. When using this provider the Data Link
> Properties dialog box prompts me for a server name. I have been entering the
> server name as the "alias" for that instance of Oracle that is defined in the
> tnsnames.ora file. However, this does not work. Is the alias the proper
> thing to be entering into this field? When I click on Test Connection, the
> error I get is a timeout.
>

Yes, it as. Beware, however, of the entries in sqlnet.ora. It may help to add the default domain in your alias.

Timeouts suggest everything is in order, but the incoming session is blocked. You must allow SQL*Net traffic through your firewall - test it with temporarily disabling your client firewall (what OS?!?)

> To describe the situation a little more completely: I am attempting to
> connect to an Oracle server at work from home. We have to VPN into the work
> network (which is happening with no problem). It is at this point that I am
> attempting to establish the connection to the Oracle server.

VPN should NOT be a problem - just an extra layer.

> I've also attempted the same thing from my computer at work (again supplying
> the alias as the server name) and there I get an error saying the TNS could
> not resolve the server (even though other applications are able to do so).

See above - entries in sqlnet.ora may foul up things.

> Any guidance would be helpful and appreciated. I am a SQL Server programmer
> and it all "just works" and I am not very familiar with the Oracle world (can
> you tell?).
>

No - we see it all the time: no specifics. Please make it a habit to post client and server OS, client and server Oracle versions (these may be very different, and cause problems when too far apart)

Not knowing what your tasks are going to be: search the archives on SQL Server vs Oracle to find some tips about material, differences, jargon, etc, if you are going to code against Oracle.

Never forget http://tahiti.oracle.com - that's your documentation start.
- --
Regards,
Frank van Bortel

Top-posting is one way to shut me up...
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.4.1 (MingW32)

iD8DBQFGbBZ6Lw8L4IAs830RAp3FAKCS2GCyQWuxoamtsXFGJ71tn3yyFwCggv3o 1OZo+w3/vKbsyCMtv2il6bY=
=oYFE
-----END PGP SIGNATURE----- Received on Sun Jun 10 2007 - 17:19:22 CEST