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Sunday, December 11, 2011

Oracle WebLogic Server 12c (12.1.1) for download available

Since Friday 9th December 2011 the latest release of the Oracle WebLogic Server 12c (12.1.1) is available for download in the Oracle Technology Network under following link: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/middleware/weblogic/downloads/wls-main-097127.html

Following Versions are available:
  • Installer with Oracle WebLogic Server 12c, Oracle Coherence and Oracle Enterprise Pack for Eclipse (for Linux x86 with JVM 32bit, Windows x86 with JVM 32bit and Mac OS X with 32bit)
  • Installer with Oracle WebLogic Server 12c and Oracle Coherence (for Linux x86 with JVM 32bit, Windows 32bit with JVM 32bit and a generic version for 64bit platforms)
  • Zip Distribution with Oracle WebLogic Server 12c only intended for WebLogic Server development only (for Linux, Windows and Mac OS X)


The documentation for the new Oracle WebLogic Server 12c (12.1.1) can be found under following Link: http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E24329_01/index.htm

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Bye bye WebCache - Welcome Oracle Traffic Director

I am currently sitting here and listen to the WebCasts for the new Oracle WebLogic Server 12c Release.

Some highlights:

  • More then 200 new features
  • Java EE 6 fully profile certified
  • Seamless upgrades (let's see the reality :-) )
  • Introduction of Oracle Traffic Director
In my opinion one of the highlights is the introduction of the Oracle Traffic Director, which will be the replacement of the Oracle WebCache on Exalogic platforms. I will miss the WebCache, I really learnt over the years to love this tool ;-)
Oracle Traffic Directory will be officially supported only with Exalogic platforms, but also runable on 64bit OEL platforms ;-)

The downloads for the new Oracle WebLogic Server 12c (12.1.1.0) should be available on Oracle Technology Network from the 5th of December 2011 going.

Note 2nd December 2011: There is also a Data Sheet for the new Oracle Traffic Director available http://www.oracle.com/us/products/middleware/application-server/oracle-traffic-director-ds-1389582.pdf

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Oracle Weblogic Server 12c Launch announced

The Oracle Weblogic Server Release 12c is coming soon :-)

Oracle will unveiling the Oracle Weblogic Server 12c on 1st December 2011.

For the Online Launch Event registration just go here: http://tinyurl.com/cfpud2v

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Why you should never create own objects under SYS

I got many times the request by developers to create objects under the SYS schema and my comment is normally "NO". Here is a nice showcase, why the creation of own objects under the SYS schema can become really dangerous:

conn / as sysdba
select count(*) from dba_objects where status = 'INVALID';
COUNT(*)
----------------
        0
-- Now lets create a simple table named SYSTEM under the SYS schema
create table SYS.SYSTEM (id number);
Table created.
-- Now check for invalid objects again.
-- Note: I didnt do anything special after the creation of the table SYS.SYSTEM
select count(*) from dba_objects where status = 'INVALID';
COUNT(*)
----------------
      149

The critical point here is the name of the created table. As soon as you are creating a table named SYSTEM under the SYS schema, you will get immediately a huge number of invalid objects under SYS, most of them are DBMS-Packages, ALL-Views and DBA-Views. The number of invalid objects you will get is depending on your Oracle Release, even a recompile with utlrp.sql will not validate all objects, there will still be invalid objects.

To get ride of this problem, just drop the table SYS.SYSTEM and recompile all with the utlrp.sql script.

This shows clearly why you should not allow the creation of application related objects under the SYS schema.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Oracle Forms 11g Release 2 (11.1.2.0.0) now for Linux x86-64 available

Last week you could read in my blog post "Oracle Forms 11g Release 2 (11.1.2.0.0) available" that Oracle Forms 11g Release 2 is available for Linux x86 and Windows x86. Now Oracle released also the Linux x86-64 version of Oracle Forms & Reports 11g Release 2 (11.1.2.0.0).

The download can be found under http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/developer-tools/forms/downloads/index.html

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Oracle Forms 11g Release 2 (11.1.2.0.0) available

Oracle released the latest version of Oracle Forms 11g Release 2 (11.1.2.0.0) for Windows x86 and Linux x86 today.

The download can be found under: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/developer-tools/forms/downloads/index.html


There is also a short new features paper available under http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/developer-tools/forms/forms11gr2newfeatures-497502-en-gb.pdf

The necessary installation documentation can be found under http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/E24269_01/index.htm

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Oracle Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c for Linux x86 available

Since today in addition the Oracle Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c (12.1.0.1.0) for Linux x86 is available in OTN and in Oracle Edelivery.

OTN Download: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/oem/grid-control/downloads/index.html


The Oracle Edelivery: https://edelivery.oracle.com/

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Oracle Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c - First screenshots

In my post from yesterday "Download available for Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c Release 1 (12.1.0.1) for Linux x86-64" you could see that the new Oracle Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c 12.1.0.1.0 for Linux x86-64 is available for download.

Here are some first impressions:
  • According to a presentation from Oracle "What's New in Enterprise Manager 12c Install" the installation should be really simplified now: TRUE :-) It's only 6 screens (under optimal conditions) !!!
  • The fight with a correct WebLogic Server Release and which JDK to use is now eliminated :-) Everything is bundled in the installation sources
  • The only pre-requirement what you will need is an Oracle Database
My starting position:
  • Oracle Enterprise Linux 5 Update 3 x86-64
  • Oracle Database Enterprise Edition 11.2.0.1.0 (no additional patches)
Extract the 2 zipfiles em12_linux64_disk1of2.zip and em12_linux64_disk2of2.zip on your server and start the runInstaller:
At first the typical Welcome screen with the optional declaration of my My Oracle Support credentials

As next we can define if we want to download directly possible available patches from My Oracle Support.


Then the prerequirement checks are running, I receive an error due to a minor version of my installed glibc-devel, so I decided to ignore it and everything works for me well :-)


After that we have to chose the installation type. The Simple option is really simple, it installs you all the necessary stuff (JDK, WebLogic Server, OMS and Agent) and configures your new Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c.


As next we have to define the Password for the adminstrative Users (Weblogic Admin-User, SYSMAN and OMS registration) and the Database Connectivity for the Enterprise Manager.


After the connectivity check you normally get some errors/warnings (eg. that a Stats Gathering Job must be disabled and that some Database Settings are not aligned). The Stats Gathering Job can be disabled directly from the Installer :-) the other warnings in my case were minor and could be aligned after the installation.



As last step we can review the summing up and start with the installation and configuration. This all what we have to do :-) Really simple and straight forward !!!



As last the Installer shows us the Finish screen with a small summing up of the necessary URL's.


To access the new Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c just go to the URL displayed in the Finish screen. The new login screen looks now more blue and from the look'n feel like the Fusion Middleware Login Screens. For the Login you have to use the username SYSMAN.



The first new feature you will see directly after the login. You can now chose your preferred "home page view", e.g. Databases, Middleware, SOA and so on.


The Website of an Oracle Database:


The Website of a WebLogic Server:


The Website of a Host (Oracle Enterprise Linux):




Conclusion: Installation simplified :-) Look'n Feel cool :-) preferred home page view great idea. Seems to be a great new Release from the first look. So let's test deeper ...

Additional Note: For everybody who is searching for the documentation (like me :-) ): http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/E24628_01/index.htm I just found the documentation, sometimes its better to read the documentation before you start with the installation, according to the installation guide, I had to apply for my Oracle Database 11.2.0.1.0 two additional patches :-)

Monday, October 3, 2011

Download available for Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c Release 1 (12.1.0.1) for Linux x86-64

3rd and most important post for today about Oracle Enterprise Manager 12c: Enterprise Manager 12c is available for download in Oracle Technet !!!



Under the link http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/oem/grid-control/downloads/linuxx8664soft-085949.html is the Linux x86-64 Release available:



My download is already started :-)

Next Next update on Oracle Enterprise Manager 12 Launch

Just some hours ago, I posted "Next update on Oracle Enterprise Manager 12 Launch" and here we go with the next update on Oracle Enterprise Manager 12 (Grid Control) :-)

I just saw in My Oracle Support a Note (ID 1363757.1) dated from 3rd October 2011 which is related Oracle Enterprise Manager 12.1.0.1.0 (12c). Seems that the naming convention is confirmed with 12c


Next update on Oracle Enterprise Manager 12 Launch

On 4th August 2011, I posted "Oracle Enterprise Manager 12 Launch - 15.11.2011 on DOAG Conference". Now some more proofs, that the new Oracle Enterprise Manager (Grid Control) 12 will come soon :-)

In My Oracle Support you can find already under the Patch Section a selection for Oracle Grid Control 12.1.0.1.0 (see last line in the drop down list). So we know at least the Release Number, but if the new release will be named "12c" is still unconfirmed.



So stay tuned for the next updates ...

Friday, September 30, 2011

Mobile My Oracle Support available

I just saw that the My Oracle Support (MOS) website offers now a Mobile Support :-)

Just go to http://support.oracle.mobi/


Friday, September 2, 2011

Oracle Database 11g XE not longer BETA

In my blogposts from 1st April 2011 and 2nd April 2011 I was talking about the newly released Oracle Database 11g XE BETA (11.2).

The BETA is now removed for the Oracle Database 11g XE :-)

The downloads can be found under http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/database/express-edition/downloads/index.html

But still are only 2 versions available, one release for Linux x64 and one release for Windows x32.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Tanel Poder's Oracle Troubleshooting TV show available

For anybody who has missed Tanel Poder's "Secret Hacking Session - about full scans, direct path reads, object level checkpoints, ORA-8103s" its now available under:

http://blip.tv/tanel-poder-oracle-troubleshooting-tv/oracle-troubleshooting-tv-show-season-1-episode-2-5459181

This show is really a must-see :-)

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Oracle Enterprise Manager 12 Launch - 15.11.2011 on DOAG Conference

During the DOAG (German Oracle User Group) Conference on 15.11.2011 to 17.11.2011 Oracle will present the new Oracle Enterprise Manager Release 12 (Oracle Grid Control 12) within a keynote. The presentation will be done by Richard Sarwal, Oracle Corporation.

Link to the Conference Program (unfortunally in german language) can be found here: http://mydoag.doag.org/konferenz/2011-konferenzplan.php



I am really curious what will be the new features/options, I am expecting them as it will be a new major release :-)

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Oracle Virtual Developer Day REA Material available for download

Some time ago the Oracle Virtual Developer Day Rich Enterprise Applications (REA) took place. For anybody who couldn't attend, here is a link to the presentations, On-Demand-Sessions, Lab Materials and so on.

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/community/developer-day/virtual-dev-day-rea-369353.html

You will find there presentations by people like Frank Nimphius, Grant Ronald and so on. The presentations are covering topics like:

  • From Forms to ADF - When, Why, How?
  • Rich Web UI made simple - an ADF Faces Overview
  • ADF Bindings Internals
  • Introduction to Developing with Oracle WebCenter
  • and much more

Monday, May 30, 2011

DOAG Conference 2011 - Call for Papers

And once again this year the largest european Oracle User Group (Deutsche Oracle User Group - DOAG) is calling for papers for the DOAG Conference 15th til 17th November in Nürnberg / Germany.



Details for the upcoming conference can be found under http://www.doag.org/konferenz/doag/2011/

The Call for Papers form can be found under http://mydoag.doag.org/termine/cfp.php?id=422990 The Call for Papers is still open until 15th June 2011, so hurry up ... :-)

I am proud that the DOAG asked me once again after last year to be in the selection commitee of the submitted presentations for the stream "Databases - MySQL"

I hope, I will see a lot of submitted presentations for the stream "Databases - MySQL"

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Oracle JRockit is now free, but ...

Oracle announce that the usage of the Oracle JRockit JVM is now free :-) See Oracle News: http://www.oracle.com/us/corporate/press/173782

Sounds really good, but ... there is a small restriction inside this news announcement:
Premium offerings such as JRockit Mission Control, JRockit Real Time, Java for Business and Enterprise Support will continue to be made available for an additional charge
So only the core functionalities are free of charge, the cool features like Mission Control or Real Time still have to be paid :-(

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Implementing Oracle WebLogic AdminServer as Windows Service

Today my fight with the Oracle Internet Directory 11.1.1.4.0 from yesterday continues (http://dirknachbar.blogspot.com/2011/05/fighting-with-tns-03505-failed-to.html), but this time the problem were related to the Oracle WebLogic Server. I wanted to implement the startup of the underlying Oracle WebLogic AdminServer and ManagedServer of the Oracle Internet Directory installation as a Windows Service.

For this Oracle provides an installation script %WL_HOME%\server\bin\installSvc.cmd which should be called by a wrapper script which we have to create by ourself. (see http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/E17904_01/web.1111/e13708/winservice.htm), but unfortunally if you follow this instruction, you will not be able to startup your AdminServer with a Windows Service. In the corresponding logfiles of the AdminServer you will find entries like:

<BEA-000286> <Failed to invoke startup class "JRF Startup Class" ...

After a little bit of Google Search, I found some articles, which point to the fact that a Java Class (ORACLE_COMMON\modules\oracle.jrf_11.1.1\jrf.jar) is missing in the CLASSPATH variable. So I try this, therefore I modified the %WL_HOME%\common\bin\commEnv.cmd which will be called in the installSvc.cmd and added the fullpath including the jar-file name to the variable WEBLOGIC_CLASSPATH. BIG MISTAKE :-) I did this, and re-created the Windows Service for the WebLogic AdminServer newly and try to startup the new Windows Service. This time I got new and strange exceptions . . .

After some investigations and testings I found a valid and working way, which is really simple :-)
At first in the %WL_HOME%\common\bin\commEnv.cmd I modify the line:

# Original:
@rem PRODUCTION_MODE, default to the development mode
set  PRODUCTION_MODE=
# To:
@rem PRODUCTION_MODE, default to the development mode
set  PRODUCTION_MODE=true

As in my case I am running in Production Mode and the declared variable in my wrapper script which calls the %WL_HOME%\server\bin\installSvc.cmd was not taken correctly and secondly I added one line in the %WL_HOME%\server\bin\installSvc.cmd script in order to call the %MW_HOME%\user_projects\domains\<YourDomain>\bin\setDomainEnv.cmd in which all necessary CLASSPATH declarations are included:

# Just add after the first call of the commEnv.cmd
# the call of your setDomainEnv.cmd
. . .
call "%WL_HOME%\common\bin\commEnv.cmd"
call "<YourMW_HOME>\user_projects\domains\<YourDomain>\bin\setDomainEnv.cmd"

After this changes just re-create your Windows Services for the WebLogic AdminServer newly, start the service up and be happy :-)

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Fighting with "TNS-03505: Failed to resolve name" and OID 11g

I am currently setting up an Oracle Internet Directory 11.1.1.4.0 for the usage of tnsnames resolution and run in a nice error.

The installation and setup were straight forward (even as I had to do it under Windows :-) ), I created a test tnsnames entry in my new OID 11g with the Net Manager from an Oracle Client 11.1. So far so good.
But when I wanted to test my new tnsnames entry in the OID with a simple tnsping, I receive immediately following error:

tnsping testdb
TNS Ping Utility for 32-bit Windows: Version 11.1.0.6.0 - 
Production on 10-MAY-2011 18:16:57
Copyright (c) 1997, 2007, Oracle. All rights reserved.
Used parameter files:
C:\work\network\sqlnet.ora
TNS-03505: Failed to resolve name

Really cool :-) I checked several times my sqlnet.ora and ldap.ora, which are correct. Metalink points to a know problem with OID 11g, that by default an anonymous bind is disabled. So quicktest from my client with ldapbind:

ldapbind -h myoidserver -p 3060
bind successful



Looks ok . . . but even when this ldapbind shows you successful, be aware, in my case it proof nothing :-(

I connected to the Fusion Middleware Control Enterprise Manager, open below my Farm the Entry "Identity and Access", chose the subentry "oid1" (might have a different name in your case) and select under the menu point "Oracle Internet Directory" in the center window the option "Administration/Server Properties" and saw under the General Tab for the option "Anonymous Bind" that it was disabled.

I just switched the option to "Allows", click the Apply button.



After that I try again from my client the tnsping and it worked perfectly this time :-)

Monday, May 9, 2011

Firefox Search Plugin for Oracle Fusion Middleware Documentation

Some weeks ago a friend of mine (Gregory Steulet, http://www.dbi-services.com/) has published some nice Firefox Search Plugins for Oracle Database Documentation and MySQL Documentation. As I am a pure fan of the Oracle Fusion Middleware Stack I ask him, if he could create also a Firefox Search Plugin for the Oracle Fusion Middleware Documentation and he did it :-)

His blog entry for the annoucement can be found here: http://www.dbi-services.com/index.php/blog/entry/stop-looking-for-oracle-fusion-and-oracle-grid-control-documentation-use-the-dbi-services-firefox-add-ons

The download of the Firefox Search Plugin can be found here: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/fusion-11114/

Thanks @ Greg for the fast implementation of my feature request :-)

Fusion Middleware 11.1.1.5.0 Patch Set 4 for selected Components available

Since about 10 days now are patches for selected components of the Oracle Fusion Middleware are available in the My Oracle Support (http://support.oracle.com/).
The patches are available for following Operating Systems at the moment:
  • Linux x86
  • Linux x86-64
  • Windows 32-bit
  • Windows 64-bit
  • Oracle Solaris on SPARC (64-bit)
  • Oracle Solaris on SPARC (32-bit)
  • Oracle Solaris on x86-64
  • Oracle Solaris on x86
  • IBM AIX on Power Systems (64-bit)
  • HP-UX PA-RISC (64-bit)
For following components are the Patch Set 5 (11.1.1.5.0) is available:
  • Oracle Data Integrator
  • Oracle Enterprise Content Management
  • Oracle Identity Management
  • Oracle Application Development Runtime
  • Oracle SOA Suite
  • Oracle WebCenter Suite
  • Oracle Service Bus
  • Oracle Fusion Middleware Web Tier Utilities











A really good summary of the Installation Types and the necessary patches inlcuding the necessary links to each patch or fullinstaller can be found under the link: http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/E23104_01/download_readme_ps4/download_readme_ps4.htm

I hope the remaining components will follow soon.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Commodore 64 is back :-)

Today something which have nothing to do with Oracle Fusion Middleware or Oracle Database.

Do you still remember the famous Commodore 64? You are still worried that you throw away your Commodore 64? Here is the ultimate solution :-)

Commodore 64 is back !!!!!!!


Commodore USA, LLC brings the famous Commodore 64 back

Checkout the Homepage of Commodore USA, LLC http://www.commodoreusa.net




They also provide a nice promotion video:



The new Commodore 64 will come with an INTEL Atom D525 1.8 GHz and can be extended up to 4 GB memory, imagine how fast the cars will drive on the road in the classical game Frogger :-)

I love such stuff :-)

Note: Seems that the website of Commodore USA is a little bit overloaded right now :-) So be patient and try with reloads in your brower.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Oracle XE 11g Beta - First Tests

Yesterday I posted that Oracle XE 11g Beta Version is available for download (see here http://dirknachbar.blogspot.com/2011/04/oracle-database-112-express-edition.html).

Today I got some time and installed the new Beta Version of the Oracle Database 11.2 Express Edition. I tested the release for Linux 64bit. My choosen Linux is an Oracle Enterprise Linux 5 Update 3 (x86-64).

The installation is really simple, unzip the downloaded installation software and run the following commands as root user:

rpm -ihv oracle-xe-11.2.0.5.x86_64.rpm
# After the rpm is install you have to run the configuration script as root user
/etc/init.d/oracle-xe configure

Below you will see the full steps as a screenshot:


What is new in Oracle XE 11g Beta Release is the installation location, now Oracle follows his own recommendations and is placing the Oracle XE 11g under OFA layout :-) The new installation location is /u01/app/oracle/product/11.2/xe (In some sections in the documentation are still references to the previous used installation location, just ignore this wrong path locations). In your desktop you will find also after the installation of the Oracle XE 11g a new menu with the necessary Oracle XE menu's:


In the menu you will find the major tasks:
  • Get Help
  • Backup Database
  • Get Started
  • Restore Database
  • Run SQL Command Line
  • Start Database
  • Stop Database


If you choose for example the option "Get Started" your browser will open with the general startpage which includes multiple sections:


And to check if we are really running an Oracle Database 11.2 Express Edition, just run in a sqlplus session:
conn / as sysdba
select banner from v$version;

You will see following output then:

Friday, April 1, 2011

Oracle Database 11.2 Express Edition Beta available for download

Some real good news, already last year Oracle announce that they will provide an Oracle XE 11g (11.2.) Release and since today the first Beta Release of the Oracle Express Edition 11.2 (Oracle XE 11g) is available for download and testing :-)

You can find the Beta Release download under http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/database/express-edition/11gxe-beta-download-302519.html
The provided Beta Release of the Oracle XE 11.2 is available right now for Windows 32bit and Linux 64bit :-)

That the new Oracle XE 11.2 is now available for Linux 64bit is really a good news :-)

Following Linux 64bit Operating Systems are officially supported with the new Oracle XE 11.2:


  • Oracle Enterprise Linux 4 Update 7
  • Oracle Enterprise Linux 5 Update 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 Update 7
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Update 2
  • SUSE Enterprise Linux 10 SP2
  • SUSE Enterprise Linux 11
What is new in the Oracle XE 11.2 limitations, that you can store now up to 11 GB user data as before in Oracle XE 10g only 4 GB. The 1 GB limitation of the SGA still remains :-(

Enjoy the testing of the new Oracle XE 11.2 Beta Release :-)

Friday, March 25, 2011

Where is my tnsnames.ora in an Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g environment?

Today a really short, but I hope useful blog post :-) I got regulary the question from customers and/or colleagues "Where is my tnsnames.ora?". I can really understand this question, as the directory structure and layout for an Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g environment is slightly different from the directory structure of the previous Oracle Application Server 10g environment.

The answer is really simple on where to find the tnsnames.ora in an Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g environment:
just go to $MW_HOME/<InstanceName>/config here you will find the tnsnames.ora.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

The new sports - Plagiarism

Some time ago I saw in Tim Hall's Blog a post that his complete site has been stolen (My whole website stolen again…) and republished under another name.

Now it also hits me, not the whole site was copied, at the moment only one complete article of me (Oracle Internet Directory Light for tnsnames Resolution - Dirk ...)

Seems that Plagiarism is the new sport :-)

The article were re-published under the site BLOG.ABIGOLD.FR with a One-To-One copy, even all names which contains the domain name of my previous employeer and every screenshot, in which you can clearly see the domain name of my previous employeer and I am quite sure the publisher of my stolen content was never employed at this company :-)
My 2 cents for such a stupid copy action is ;-)


(Note: If you like this shirt, go to http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/unisex/frustrations/6b6e/ )

Only after I contacted the service provide of this domain, they change the author name to my name.
Seems that some people want to adorn themself with borrowed plums

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Switching Oracle HTTP Server to Port 80

If you are using the Oracle Webtier 11g (11.1.1.2.0 / 11.1.1.3.0 / 11.1.1.4.0) in your projects and specially the Oracle HTTP Server, you face normally the problem, that the Oracle HTTP Server is configured with a Listen Port of 7777 or something like this.
But endusers dont like to remember always the Port number of the Oracle HTTP Server, so the goal is to reconfigure the Oracle HTTP Server. Under a UNIX operating system you have to consider one important point for this task, all ports <1024 belongs to root and normally the Oracle Webtier is installed under a own user (normally user oracle) which don't have root privileges. So the ownership of the .apachectl binary must be changed.

Following steps must be done:
  • Shutdown your Oracle HTTP Server
  • Reconfigure the Listen Port
  • Change the .apachectl binary
  • Restart your Oracle HTTP Server and test
The first step is to shutdown the Oracle HTTP Server, this must be done with opmnctl. The binary you can find under your WebtierHome/instances/instance1/bin.
Connect as the Oracle software user (oracle) to your server

# assuming your MW_HOME is /u00/app/oracle/product/fmw-11.1.1 
export MW_HOME=/u00/app/oracle/product/fmw-11.1.1
cd $MW_HOME/Oracle_WT1/instances/instance1/bin
./opmnctl stopall


Second step is to configure the Listen Port for the Oracle HTTP Server to port 80

# assuming you are still connected as oracle user to your sevrer
cd $MW_HOME/Oracle_WT1/instances/instance1/config/OHS/ohs1
cp httpd.conf httpd.conf.save
vi httpd.conf
# Now go to the line with Listen <portnumber> (normally 777x)
# and replace the port number to port 80
Listen 80
# save the changes


The third step is to change the ownership and permissions of the .apachectl binary, this step must be done as root user:

# assuming you are connected to the server as root user
# use the MW_HOME from step 1
cd $MW_HOME/Oracle_WT1/ohs/bin
# be aware, we have to modify the hidden file .apachectl (the dot is correct) 
ls -la .apachectl
-rwxr-x--- 1 oracle oinstall 13278 Dec 17 03:54 .apachectl
chown root .apachectl
chmod 6750 .apachectl
ls -la .apachectl
-rwsr-s--- 1 root oinstall 13278 Dec 17 03:54 .apachectl

The last step is to startup your reconfigured Oracle HTTP Server, for this you must connect to your server as Oracle Software user:

cd $MW_HOME/Oracle_WT1/instances/instance1/bin
./opmnctl startall
# Then check the status with the option -l
# to see if your Oracle HTTP Server is up and
# the option -l display the used ports (see picture below)
./opmnctl status -l



The final test is, startup your browser and point to your Oracle HTTP Server

Friday, March 4, 2011

My Oracle ACE Trophy arrived

Today I received a small package with a warning label "Please handle with care - Glass", inside was my Oracle ACE Trophy :-)

Looks cool on my desk :-)

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Why you should check the default grants to PUBLIC

Today something Oracle Database Security related: Why you should have a look on the default grants to PUBLIC in an Oracle Database.

Just a small showcase:
  • One Application Schema APP_USER which owns some tables
  • One Application related Role APP_READ to which grant select on APP_USER.<TABLENAME> were given
  • One Enduser named EVIL :-) which got create session and hold the APP_READ role
  • One Enduser named FRIENDLY :-) which got create session and hold the APP_READ role

-- First lets create the Application Schema APP_USER
create user APP_USER identified by mysecrectpassword;
grant connect, create table to APP_USER;
create role APP_READ;

-- Secondly create the Enduser EVIL
create user EVIL identified by evilpassword;
grant connect, app_read to EVIL;

-- Thirdly create the Enduser FRIENDLY
create user FRIENDLY identified by friendlypassword;
grant connect, app_read to FRIENDLY;

-- Connect with the Application Schema APP_USER
-- Create one table
-- and asign the select right to the Application Role APP_READ
conn app_user/mysecretpassword
create table t1 as select * from all_objects;
grant select on t1 to APP_READ;

Now we have to open 2 sessions to the Database, one connected with the Application User EVIL and one with the Application User FRIENDLY.

In the session with the user EVIL we execute following SQL statement:
conn evil/evilpassword
exec sys.dbms_snapshot.BEGIN_TABLE_REORGANIZATION('APP_USER','T1');

In the second session with the user FRIENDLY we try now to run select on the table APP_USER.T1:
conn friendly/friendlypassword
select * from APP_USER.T1;
The session from the user FRIENDLY is not responding :-( The session from user FRIENDLY will only responding when we are running following SQL Statement in the session of user EVIL:
-- Session of user EVIL
exec sys.dbms_snapshot.END_TABLE_REORGANIZATION('APP_USER','T1');
-- Some errors will come up, as the used table
-- have not a materialized view log
ERROR at line 1:
ORA-23413: table "APP_USER"."T1" does not have a materialized view log
ORA-06512: at "SYS.DBMS_SYS_ERROR", line 95
ORA-06512: at "SYS.DBMS_SNAP_INTERNAL", line 703
ORA-06512: at "SYS.DBMS_SNAPSHOT", line 2811
ORA-06512: at line 1

In the above example are clearly demonstrated two major problems:
  • Even with a create session privilege you have too many privileges through the default grants to PUBLIC
  • The Procedure dbms_snapshot.BEGIN_TABLE_REORGANIZATION takes every table on which I got a select right, no matter if its just a normal table

The above example shows clearly that we have to be careful with the default grants to PUBLIC in an Oracle Database.

Above shown example were executed under Oracle 11.1.0.7.0 and Oracle 11.2.0.1.0.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Oracle Reports 11.1.1 Reports Configuration Error

You might run in an error while you are installing Oracle Reports 11.1.1.2.0 / 11.1.1.3.0 / 11.1.1.4.0, that the configuration step "Executing: opmnctl startproc ias-component ..." will throw an error.




The error message just state that while executing the command "opmnctl startproc ias-component=ReportsServer_<servername>_<instance>" an error occurs. If you check the corresponding Install Logfile, you will not find something really usefull. Only stuff like "failed to start a manage process after the maximum retry limit".












Only a look in the Reports Logfile will give you a hint whats the problem :-) The Reports Logfile you can find under $MW_HOME/<instance>/diagnostics/logs/ReportsServerComponent/ReportsServer_<servername>_<instance>/rwserver_diagnostic.log

Here you can see the error message REP-50600, that Broadcasting is disabled.
This error message points to a problem with the network, as Oracle Reports is using a multicast mechanism to publish his Reports Servicename into the network.

Normally this problem is related to a missing or wrong "Default Gateway" on the server.










Just set your default gateway and retry after the changes the configuration step which has been failed.

After that the configuration step "Executing: opmnctl startproc ias-component ..." should pass successfully.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Percentage used of Tablespaces

I regulary have disucssions with colleagues what is the used percentage of a tablespace in an Oracle Database, my reply is normally "it depends :-)". Most of people rely on tools like Grid Control and so on, but these tools are showing only the percentage usage with a scope of the moment.
Lets assume we have a tablespace with one datafile. The datafile is created with an initial size of 100 MB and maxsize of 1024 MB. Now we fill up the datafile with some tables which all together are using 90 MB. So the normal tools will show us that the tablespace is used for 90%. Thats correct for the moment, but we have to consider that the datafile can grow until 1024 MB. When we consider this we come to:
 (90 MB / 1024 MB) * 100 = 8.78 %

A percentage used of 90% versus 8.78% sounds a little bit different :-)

Below is a small script, which consider the maxsize option of datafiles for a tablespace, so that you can see the actual percenatge usuage and the percentage usage for the possible maxsize:

set linesize 200
col name format a20

select (select tablespace_name
from dba_tablespaces
where tablespace_name = b.tablespace_name
) name
,round(kbytes_alloc/1024, 2) mbytes
,round((kbytes_alloc-nvl(kbytes_free,0))/1024, 2) used
,round(nvl(kbytes_free,0)/1024, 2) free
,round(((kbytes_alloc-nvl(kbytes_free,0))/ kbytes_alloc)*100, 2) pct_used
,round(nvl(largest,0)/1024, 2) largest
,round(nvl(kbytes_max,kbytes_alloc)/1024, 2) max_size
,round(decode(kbytes_max,0,0,((kbytes_alloc-nvl(kbytes_free,0))/kbytes_max)*100),2) pct_max_used
,(select extent_management
from dba_tablespaces
where tablespace_name = b.tablespace_name) extent_management
,(select segment_space_management
from dba_tablespaces
where tablespace_name = b.tablespace_name) segment_space_management
from (select sum(bytes)/1024 Kbytes_free, max(bytes)/1024 largest, tablespace_name
from sys.dba_free_space
group by tablespace_name ) a
,(select sum(bytes)/1024 Kbytes_alloc, sum(maxbytes)/1024 Kbytes_max, tablespace_name
from sys.dba_data_files
group by tablespace_name
union all
select sum(bytes)/1024 Kbytes_alloc, sum(maxbytes)/1024 Kbytes_max, tablespace_name
from sys.dba_temp_files group by tablespace_name )b
where a.tablespace_name (+) = b.tablespace_name
order by 2;

And the result should look like as follows:

NAME         MBYTES     USED       FREE       PCT_USED   LARGEST    MAX_SIZE   PCT_MAX_USED  EXT_MANAGE  SEGMENT_SPACE
------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------ ----------
TOOLS        10         .062       9.93       .62        9.93       65535.96    0            LOCAL         AUTO
DRSYS        20         12.56      7.43       62.81      7.18       65535.96    .02          LOCAL         AUTO
USERS        25         7.06       17.93      28.25      17.93      65535.96    .01          LOCAL         AUTO
INDX         25         .06        24.93      .25        24.93      65535.96    0            LOCAL         AUTO
XDB          103.75     103.5      .25        99.75      .25        65535.96    .16          LOCAL         AUTO
TEMP         256        256        0          100        0          0           0            LOCAL         MANUAL
UNDOTBS1     636        85.31      550.68     13.41      189.93     32768       .26          LOCAL         MANUAL
SYSAUX       1024       480.68     543.31     46.94      502.87     1024        46.94        LOCAL         AUTO
SYSTEM       1024       675.31     348.68     65.94      347.93     65535.96    1.03         LOCAL         MANUAL
Under the column PCT_MAX_USED you can see the percentage usage in consideration with the maxsize of the datafile(s) and under the column PCT_USED you can see the actual percentage usage calculated according to the actual datafile(s) size.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Oracle WebCenter Suite 11g WebCast available

The Oracle WebCast "WebCenter Suite 11g Release 1 PS3 (11.1.1.4.0) - The Platform for the Modern User Experience" is available in case you miss the LiveStream on 2nd February 2011.

Just click here :-)

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Pre-built Virtual Machine for Oracle WebCenter Portal Framework 11gR1 PS3 (11.1.1.4.0) available

Since a few day the latest Oracle WebCenter Suite is available (see my post from 25th Januar 2011) and now a pre-built Virtual Machine with a complete WebCenter 11g R1 PS3 (11.1.1.4.0) is available in the Oracle Technology Network (OTN) under the link http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/middleware/webcenter/downloads/owcs-portalfw-vbox-284132.html.

This Pre-Built Virtual Machine is for the Open-Source Product Oracle Virtual Box (http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/server-storage/virtualbox/overview/index.html) and contains following:

  • Oracle Enterprise Linux 5
  • Oracle XE Database 10.2.0.1.0
  • Oracle WebLogic Server 10.3.4.0
  • Oracle WebCenter Portal Framework 11gR1 PS3 (11.1.1.4.0)
  • JDeveloper 11.1.1.4
  • Oracle WebCenter Extension for JDeveloper (11.1.1.4.0)

Happy dowloading and enjoy the new User Interaction functionality with WebCenter :-)

Thursday, January 27, 2011

More Fusion Middleware 11.1.1.4.0 Components available

I just discover that on the Oracle Edelivery Website http://edelivery.oracle.com/ are more Oracle Fusion Middleware 11.1.1.4.0 Components available for download, but unfortunally right now only for 32-bit Operating Systems Windows and Linux.

You will find there:
  • Oracle Fusion Middleware Companion 11g (11.1.1.4.0)
  • Oracle Portal, Forms, Reports and Discoverer 11g Patch Set 3 (11.1.1.4.0)
  • Oracle Identity Management 11g Patch Set 3 (11.1.1.4.0)

I hope that in the next days the 64-bit Operating System Releases will follow :-)
In the meantime everybody who got an My Oracle Support (formerly Oracle Metalink) account can download the Patches for Oracle Fusion Middleware 11.1.1.4.0 for 64-bit Operating Systems (Linux x86-64, Windows 64-bit, Oracle Solaris SPRAC, AIX) from there.

In the meantime: happy downloading and testing :-)

Update Note: I just saw that now also the Oracle Fusion Middleware 11.1.1.4.0 for Linux x86-64, Windows 64bit and Oracle Solaris SPARC 64bit is available on http://edelivery.oracle.com

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Oracle WebCenter Suite 11.1.1.4.0 available

Since today the new release of the Oracle WebCenter Suite 11.1.1.4.0 (11g Release 1 PS3) is available in the Oracle Technology Network under the following link: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/middleware/webcenter/downloads/index.html

There are several new features, mainly I am interested to see the integration with the latest Oracle Universal Content Management.

Moreover Oracle is providing on the 2nd February 2011 at 10 a.m. PT (19:00 CET) a Webcast for the new launch of the Oracle WebCenter 11g R1 PS3. Registration can found done under following link: Register here.

There is also a good White Paper New Features available under following link: Click here
Also the new designed OTN download page is cool :-) Now you can see directly what additional software you will need including direct download link.