Oracle Client Information

The Oracle client is required software on your computer if you wish to access an Oracle database. The Data Warehouse is an Oracle database. There are versions of Oracle client just like there are versions of Oracle databases. The versions do not have to be the same, but Oracle suggests that they stay at the same version level for compatibility reasons. For example, new features become available with new versions of the Oracle database engine. These features would not be available to an older version of the Oracle client.  Oracle client 10gR2 is required to enable network encryption which has been required to connect to the OU Data Warehouse since December 17, 2007.

Obtaining the Oracle Client

You can request an Oracle 10gR2 Client (10.2.0.1.0) for Windows XP CD from the Data Warehouse Administrator at HDL 315 or pick one up from Software Distribution at CSC 003B.   Insert the cd, and follow the on screen instructions to install the OUDW Utility and then the Oracle client.  Then, run the OUDW Utility to configure your connectivity and create an Access database.   Note: Please contact the Data Warehouse Administrator for instructions on Windows Vista installations. 

Oracle is unique in that they provide enhancements and bug fixes in files called patches. Some patches and other Oracle downloads are available from this web page. You must be very careful applying these patches on top of an existing Oracle client installation. Make sure you read the readme and/or release notes to verify the patch you have downloaded is for the version you currently have installed. Most Oracle patches are cumulative, meaning that they include all fixes/changes made since the base version was released.

Current available Oracle downloads for Windows XP:

Oracle Client Patch 10.2.0.3 for Windows XP (size 852 MB)

Oracle ODBC Patch 10.2.0.3 for Windows XP (size 259 KB)

Instructions for completing the upgrade from 10.2.0.1 to 10.2.0.3

Current Available Oracle Downloads for Windows Vista (32-bit) Enterprise, Business Ultimate Editions:

Oracle Client 10.2.0.3 for Windows Vista (size 588 MB)

Oracle ODBC Patch 10.2.0.3 for Windows Vista (size 259 KB)

Determining Your Current Version

To determine which Oracle client version you have installed on your pc, run sql*plus to connect to the DW. The folder names may vary somewhat based on your Oracle setup but should be similar. To run sql*plus choose start>programs>Oracle> Oracle - OUDWclient>Application Development>sqlplus. Enter your DW user name, password, and 'ordj' for the host name or service name. This should connect you to the DW via sqlplus. At this point, you could write your own sql statements to pull information from the DW (if you knew sql). The Oracle client version can be determined in the first line - 'SQL*Plus: Release 10.2.0.1.0'. 

Oracle clients 9iR2 and 10gR2 can now be installed on the same desktop.  Data Warehouse users should have upgraded from 9iR2 to 10gR2 in December of 2007.  No instructions were given to remove the 9iR2 client since they can coexist.  Other applications, such as Discoverer Reporting, Alumni, or Onbase Imaging could be using the 9i client installation so be careful removing it.  If you are sure that nothing is using particular client installation, you can remove it. 

Please delete any Microsoft ODBC data sources setup using the Oracle drivers you are going to remove.  It is more difficult to remove them after the fact.

To remove the 9iR2 version of the Oracle client previously used for Data Warehouse access, run Start>Programs>Oracle - OUDWclient>Installation Products>Universal Installer.  This will fire up one of those ugly black DOS screens and then a pretty Welcome OUI (Oracle Universal Installer) screen will appear.  Click on installed products. Under the Oracle Homes top line (you may need to expand the list), you will see all of the Oracle Home installations on your desktop.  Check the OraHome92 box, then click on Remove. It will ask you if you are sure; respond yes if you are sure.  It will then deinstall the chosen Oracle Home. 

In very rare instances, the oracle installations can become confused on your desktop.  This only happens when installs/deinstalls are not completed using the OUI but by deleting directories or registry entries.   I do not recommend using the following notes unless you have a backup of your desktop and an experienced system administrator.  The original Oracle instructions to completely remove any Oracle client version from Windows NT/2000/XP can be viewed in Oracle Note: 124506.1. The instructions to remove system, user, and file data sources and ODBC Drivers from the Windows Registry can be viewed in Oracle Note: 170676.1. (These are sometimes needed during the removal of the Oracle client.) Your systems administrator may find it easier to use the instructions to remove all oracle components from a Windows platform less time consuming. They are in Oracle Note: 124353.1.  Please don't use these instructions without the advice of the Data Warehouse Administrator.