Re: [Q] What is the TWO_TASK environment variable?

rfraser_at_vanisl.decus.ca wrote:
: Does anyone know what the TWO_TASK environment variable is/does : and how should it be set if using SQL*NET v2. Thanks in advance.

TWO_TASK is important. I use it when I telnet to my Oracle 7 server on UNIX.
Let's see an example.
I have a strings in listener.ora:

LISTENER =
(ADDRESS_LIST = (ADDRESS= (PROTOCOL=IPC) (KEY= RRS))

        (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)
          (HOST = xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx) - server ip-address here
          (PORT = 1521) (QUEUESIZE=20)
        )

and a strings in tnsnames.ora:
RRSBASE =
(DESCRIPTION =

    (ADDRESS_LIST = (ADDRESS = (COMMUNITY = IRICTCP) (PROTOCOL = TCP)           (HOST = xxx.xxx.xx.x) (PORT = 1521)))     (CONNECT_DATA = (SID = RRS)
    )
  )
RRSIPC =
(DESCRIPTION = (ADDRESS_LIST = (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = IPC) (KEY = RRS)))
    (CONNECT_DATA = (SID = RRS))) When I my TWO_TASK is not defined at all then sqlplus (and other Oracle tools) connects to a dedicated server process. This is good - I can run sqlplus with lower priority (UNIX command 'nice') and my server process will run on lower priority, so other users will not be disturbed if I do something long-running. And this is bad - a dedicated server process will take more systems resources (memory, etc.)

If I set TWO_TASK=RRSIPC then my sqlplus will connect to a shared server process - less memory needed, less number of processes in the system, but it's better to avoid run intensive long jobs - other users could complain (response time!).
I can set TWO_TASK=RRSBASE - similar to RRSIPC, but this gives I guess a bit less performance as we connect via TCP/IP.

Also, I had experience that SQL*Forms 3.0 need TWO_TASK to be set. Good luck !

--
Andris Mednis
andris_at_iric.gov.lv