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Monday, September 30, 2019

Oracle Reports 12.2.1.4.0 - Create a Standalone Reports Server

On Friday, 27th September 2019, Oracle released the latest Version of Oracle Forms & Reports 12.2.1.4.0 (see my blog post http://dirknachbar.blogspot.com/2019/09/oracle-forms-reports-122140-available.html).

As I already created an Oracle Forms & Reports 12.2.1.4.0 environment, it's now time to have a look on the Oracle Reports 12.2.1.4.0 environment.

As usual, after you have successfully installed and configured your Oracle Forms & Reports 12.2.1.4.0 environment, the Oracle Reports Component is NOT configured completely.

Following steps you will have to perform:
  • Create the required Reports Tools Instance
  • Create the required Reports Server Instances
  • Optionally, if you don't any kind of security for accessing the Reports, disable the security settings and activate the Webcommands for the rwservlet
What you don't need anymore in Oracle Reports 12.2.1.4.0 are following steps:
  • No more symbolic link from /usr/lib/libXm.so.4 to libXm.so.3
  • No more modification on the Java Cryptography Extension (JCE) Unlimited Strength Jurisdiction Policy Files on your JDK and the JDK under your $MW_HOME/oracle/common/jdk

Just perform following steps:

#
# At first we are creating the required Oracle Reports Tools Instance
cd $MW_HOME/oracle_common/common/bin
./wlst.sh
# replace the password with your password and verify if port 7001 is your Admin Server Port
wls:/offline> connect('weblogic','password','localhost:7001')
wls:/fr_domain/serverConfig/> createReportsToolsInstance(instanceName='reptools1',machine='AdminServerMachine')
wls:/fr_domain/serverConfig/> exit()

# Next we are creating our required Oracle Standalone Reports Server
cd $MW_HOME/oracle_common/common/bin
./wlst.sh
wls:/offline> connect('weblogic','password','localhost:7001')
wls:/fr_domain/serverConfig/> createReportsServerInstance(instanceName='rep_server1',machine='AdminServerMachine')
wls:/fr_domain/serverConfig/> exit()

Now we have to align the rwserver.conf configuration file for the above created Oracle Standalone Reports Server, called in my example rep_server1.

#
# Open the rwserver.conf with an editor
# located under $DOMAIN_HOME/config/fmwconfig/components/ReportsServerComponent/<Reports Server Name>/rwserver.conf
# Align the following section from :

   <cache class="oracle.reports.cache.RWCache">
      <property name="cacheSize" value="50"/>
      <!--property name="cacheDir" value="your cache directory"/-->
      <!--property name="maxCacheFileNumber" value="max number of cache files"/-->
   </cache>
   <!--Please do not change the id for reports engine.-->
   <!--The class specifies below is subclass of _EngineClassImplBase and implements EngineInterface.-->
   <engine id="rwEng" class="oracle.reports.engine.EngineImpl" maxEngine="1" minEngine="1" engLife="50" >
      <!--property name="sourceDir" value="your reports source directory"/-->
      <!--property name="tempDir" value="your reports temp directory"/-->
      <!--property name="keepConnection" value="yes"/-->
   </engine>

# To (align the provided directories for cacheDir, sourceDir and tempDir to your settings)

   <cache class="oracle.reports.cache.RWCache">
      <property name="cacheSize" value="50"/>
      <property name="cacheDir" value="/u00/app/oracle/demo_app/cache"/>
      <property name="maxCacheFileNumber" value="50"/>
   </cache>
   <!--Please do not change the id for reports engine.-->
   <!--The class specifies below is subclass of _EngineClassImplBase and implements EngineInterface.-->
   <engine id="rwEng" class="oracle.reports.engine.EngineImpl" maxEngine="1" minEngine="1" engLife="50" >
      <property name="sourceDir" value="/u00/app/oracle/demo_app/rdf"/>
      <property name="tempDir" value="/u00/app/oracle/demo_app/temp"/>
      <property name="keepConnection" value="yes"/>
   </engine>

# In case you don't need any kind of security for your Oracle Reports align the following section as follows:

   <job jobType="report" engineId="rwEng" securityId="rwJaznSec"/>

# To, remove the part securityId="rwJaznSec":

   <job jobType="report" engineId="rwEng"/>

To enable the Webcommands in the rwservlet just modify the rwservlet.properties file under $DOMAIN_HOME/config/fmwconfig/servers/<Name of Managed Server for Reports>/applications/reports_12.2.1/configuration

#
# Add the line <webcommandacess>L2</webaccesscommand>

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rwservlet xmlns="http://xmlns.oracle.com/reports/rwservlet" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
   <server>rep_wls_reports_greenfield</server>
   <singlesignon>no</singlesignon>
   <inprocess>yes</inprocess>
   <webcommandaccess>L2</webcommandaccess>
</rwservlet>

Now start your Managed Server for Oracle Reports, normally WLS_REPORTS and after that start your newly created Oracle Standalone Reports Server

#
cd $DOMAIN_HOME/bin
# if you don't want to be prompted in future for the Nodemanager Password
# use the option storeUserConfig, it will store the password
./startComponent rep_server1 storeUserConfig

Starting system Component rep_server1 ...

Initializing WebLogic Scripting Tool (WLST) ...

Welcome to WebLogic Server Administration Scripting Shell

Type help() for help on available commands

Reading domain from /u00/app/oracle/user_projects/domains/demo_domain
 
 
Please enter Node Manager password:
Creating the key file can reduce the security of your system if it is not kept in a secured location after it is created. Creating new key...
The username and password that were used for this WebLogic NodeManager connection are stored in /home/oracle/.wlst/nm-cfg-demo_domain.props and /home/oracle/.wlst/nm-key-demo_domain.props.
Connecting to Node Manager ...
<Sep 30, 2019 1:28:41 PM CEST> <Info> <Security> <BEA-090905> <Disabling the CryptoJ JCE Provider self-integrity check for better startup performance. To enable this check, specify -Dweblogic.security.allowCryptoJDefaultJCEVerification=true.> 
<Sep 30, 2019 1:28:41 PM CEST> <Info> <Security> <BEA-090906> <Changing the default Random Number Generator in RSA CryptoJ from ECDRBG128 to HMACDRBG. To disable this change, specify -Dweblogic.security.allowCryptoJDefaultPRNG=true.> 
<Sep 30, 2019 1:28:41 PM CEST> <Info> <Security> <BEA-090909> <Using the configured custom SSL Hostname Verifier implementation: weblogic.security.utils.SSLWLSHostnameVerifier$NullHostnameVerifier.> 
Successfully Connected to Node Manager.
Starting server rep_server1 ...
Successfully started server rep_server1 ...
Successfully disconnected from Node Manager.


Exiting WebLogic Scripting Tool.

Done

Now you can access the Reports rwservlet commands under http://<Your ServerName>:9002/reports/rwservlet


In order to see the environment/configuration for our newly created Oracle Standalone Reports Server rep_server1 just use following URL: http://<Your ServerName>:9002/reports/rwservlet/showenv?server=rep_server1


Summing up, Oracle Reports 12.2.1.4.0 is still the same as the previous release, but 2 positive topics are that you don't need anymore to create the symbolic link for the libXm.so.3 and you don't need any more the modification on the Java Cryptography Extension (JCE) Unlimited Strength Jurisdiction Policy Files.


Saturday, September 28, 2019

Oracle Forms & Reports 12.2.1.4.0 - First Look

Yesterday I was blogging about the new Oracle Forms & Reports 12.2.1.4.0 Release.

Today I got some spare time to install and configure the latest Oracle Forms & Reports 12.2.1.4.0 Release on one of my test VM's.

My configuration is as follows:
The installation and configuration is the same as under the previous Oracle Forms & Reports 12.2.1.3.0 Release.
At first install and configure your Oracle Database, I have created an Oracle 19c Instance with one PDB, which will be my target Database for the required Metadata Repository for Oracle Forms & Reports 12.2.1.4.0.
Next step is to install the JDK (or better to say unzip your Oracle Server JRE 8u221, you can even use a full JDK).
After that, install your Oracle WebLogic Server Infrastructure 12.2.1.4.0 and when this is done, install into the same MW_HOME your Oracle Forms & Reports 12.2.1.4.0 software.

Now, we can start to configure the required stuff. At first you need to run the Repository Creation Utility ($MW_HOME/oracle_common/bin/rcu), when this is done, we can configure the Oracle WebLogic Domain for Forms & Reports with the config.sh script located under $MW_HOME/oracle_common/common/bin).

When the configuration part is done, just startup your Node Manager with $DOMAIN_HOME/bin/startNodeManager.sh and after that your AdminServer with $DOMAIN_HOME/startWebLogic.sh

Now you can either start the Managed Servers (WLS_FORMS and WLS_REPORTS) from the WebLogic Console http://:7001/console or with the script $DOMAIN_HOME/bin/startManagedWebLogic.sh

Just to test, if your Forms Environment is working, get the frmsal.jar (located under $MW_HOME/forms/java) to your Desktop and execute following command:

#
# java -jar frmsal.jar -url "Full Qualified Server including the Configuration" [-t <timeout in milliseconds>] [-showConfig false|true]
java -jar frmsal.jar -url "http://<Your_ServerName>:9001/forms/frmservlet?config=standalone" -showConfig true

Config parameters from server are:
    CODEBASE=/forms/java
    ARCHIVE=frmall.jar
    WIDTH=750
    HEIGHT=600
    NAME=
    serverURL=/forms/lservlet?ifcfs=/forms/frmservlet?config=standaloneapp&standaloneapp=1&ifsessid=WLS_FORMS.formsapp.2&acceptLanguage=en-us
    networkRetries=0
    splashScreen=
    background=
    lookAndFeel=Oracle
    colorScheme=swan
    customColorScheme=
    serverApp=
    logo=
    imageBase=codebase
    formsMessageListener=
    recordFileName=
    EndUserMonitoringEnabled=false
    EndUserMonitoringURL=
    heartBeat=
    MaxEventWait=
    disableValidateClipboard=false
    allowAlertClipboard=true
    digitSubstitution=context
    highContrast=false
    disableMDIScrollbars=
    clientDPI=
    applet_stop_timeout=800
    guiMode=0
    idleTimeout=
    isResizable=
    centerOnStartup=
    alwaysOnTop=
    mediaBase=codebase
    webFormsTitle=Oracle Fusion Middleware Forms Services
Inspecting archive files in cache directory /var/folders/b_/ldw8b91n7h7dp58hd3xf2qmc0000gn/T/frmsal/greenfield/12.2.1.4
Downloading archive file frmall.jar to cache subdirectory ermz9mn700rz58gniz4ftx8un
Forms Session ID is WLS_FORMS.formsapp.2
The proxy host is null, and the proxy port is 0.
Native HTTP implementation is being used for the connection.
The connection mode is HTTP.
Forms Applet version is 12.2.1.4

With the optional option "-showConfig true" your java call on the frmsal.jar will display you the Forms Configuration in your shell or Command Prompt.

Now you should see following:


Enjoy the new Oracle Forms & Reports 12.2.1.4.0 Release, I will post in the next days more blog posts about the latest Oracle Forms & Reports 12.2.1.4.0 Release ...


Friday, September 27, 2019

Oracle WebLogic Server 12.2.1.4.0 available

Since today the new Oracle WebLogic Server 12.2.1.4.0 is available for download :-)

Currently I was just able to find the download under https://edelivery.oracle.com.


But I hope that the Oracle WebLogic Server 12.2.1.4.0 will be soon available under Oracle Technical Resources (former OTN)

The documentation is already available under https://docs.oracle.com/en/middleware/fusion-middleware/weblogic-server/12.2.1.4/index.html

As this WebLogic 12.2.1.4.0 is mainly a PatchSet, there are not so many new features, checkout the "What's New in Oracle WebLogic Server" document under https://docs.oracle.com/en/middleware/fusion-middleware/weblogic-server/12.2.1.4/notes/whatsnew.html#GUID-DF8CFD1C-9DD1-423E-ACA6-9717D5738385

Enjoy the new WebLogic Server 12.2.1.4.0 Release

Update 28th September 2019: The Oracle WebLogic Server 12.2.1.4.0 can now be found under Oracle Technical Resources (former OTN): https://www.oracle.com/middleware/technologies/fusionmiddleware-downloads.html

Oracle Forms & Reports 12.2.1.4.0 available

Since today the new long awaited Oracle Forms & Reports Release 12.2.1.4.0 is available, this is after 2 years now the next release of Oracle Forms & Reports.

The software can be found under: https://www.oracle.com/middleware/technologies/forms/downloads.html



The corresponding documentation can be found under https://docs.oracle.com/en/middleware/developer-tools/forms/12.2.1.4/index.html


As expected the new features are as follows:

  • SSO Support for Forms Standalone Launcher (FSAL)
  • Forms Standalone Launcher (FSAL) is compatible with Java 11.0.2 (LTS)
  • Increased Text Length for Text or Display Items, from 65534 to 2097151
  • The Oracle Database Client Software within the Middleware Home is now updated to 12.1.0.2190716

Also Oracle added a new System Requirements and Supported Platforms for Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.2.1.4.0) Excel Sheet under https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/middleware/fmw-122140-certmatrix-5763476.xlsx

Enjoy the new Oracle Forms & Reports 12.2.1.4.0 Release :-)


Monday, September 23, 2019

OOW19: Oracle Forms News

Since today many of the Oracle OpenWorld 2019 presentations are available under https://events.rainfocus.com/widget/oracle/oow19/catalogow19?

For Oracle Forms & Reports are 2 interesting presentations are available:

As usual every content from the above slides are covered under the Oracle Safe Harbor Statement :-)
The following is intended to outline our general product direction. It is intended for information purposes only, and may not be incorporated into any contract. It is not a commitment to deliver any material, code, or functionality, and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions. The development, release, timing, and pricing of any features or functionality described for Oracle’s products may change and remains at the sole discretion of Oracle Corporation.

In general there will be a new Oracle Forms Release, Oracle Forms 12.2.1.4.0, which will be also the Terminal Release for Oracle Forms 12.2.1.x. The Oracle Forms 12.2.1.4.0 is announced for Q3/2019.

The most interesting new features from my point of view will be:

Forms Standalone Launcher (FSAL)
  • SSO Support :-)
  • Java 8 & Java 11 Support :-)
  • Showing Configuration Details on startup
  • Improvements in Cache Handling including an option to disable the Cache
Forms Application Deployment Services (FADS)
  • Support for SQLDeveloper 18.2+
  • Support for Oracle Databases 12.2+
  • WebUtil enabled Applications will be supported
Forms Runtime:
  • Text fields are increased to a max size of 2M

Moreover you can see from the OOW19 "Oracle Forms: What's New and What's Cloud" presentation, thats Oracle is pushing more and more for the Oracle Cloud Offering for Oracle Forms & Reports.
Oracle is promising that you will be able to get an Oracle Forms & Reports 12.2.1.3.0 environment to be ready in under 15 minutes. With following stuff:
  • Oracle Database 18.3
  • WebLogic Infrastructure 12.2.1.3
  • Oracle Forms & Reports 12.2.1.3, but Reports are not configured, so in case you know what to do, you can add another 10 to 15 minutes to configure your Oracle Reports
  • JDK 8 Update 211

My personal Long Term Future for Oracle Forms assumptions are, based on the OOW19 presentation "Catalog ID: THT5008: Oracle Fusion Middleware Roadmap: See What's New and What's Coming" (Page 19) https://static.rainfocus.com/oracle/oow19/sess/1554316945388001WhJp/PF/THURS_1200_Oracle%20Fusion%20Middleware%20Roadmap%20See%20Whats%20New%20and%20Whats%20Coming_1568995098562001vCqc.pdf is that within the next 2 years we will see a Forms Release 14.1 (I still wonder who came to this Version Numbering???).


Thursday, September 19, 2019

OOW19: WebLogic News

During the Oracle Open World 2019 were some announcements regarding Oracle WebLogic Server.

The last year announced WebLogic Server 19c for Q1/2019 disappeared ...
There will be no WebLogic Server 13 Release ...

But there will be:

  • WebLogic Server 12.2.1.4, which should come up shortly, as usual what shortly means in Oracle terms is not clearly defined :-)
    • The WebLogic Server 12.2.1.4 Release will be the Final Maintenance Release for 12.2.1.x, so don't expect too many new features
  • BETA Program for WebLogic Server 14.1.1 is announced and to be started shortly.
    • I really wonder who came to the idea with this Version numbering??? Is there any chance to consolidate the Version numbering of the Middleware Products with the Oracle Database Version numbering?
  • Oracle WebLogic Server on Microsoft Azure IaaS

Please note: WebLogic Server 14.1.1 is currently ONLY in BETA Program, so no downloads on "Technical Resources from Oracle (former OTN)" or on edelivery.oracle.com 
The new WebLogic 14.1.1 will support Java EE 8 and Jakarta EE 8.

If you are interested, you can register for the Beta Program under https://pdpm.oracle.com and if you are lucky, Oracle will select you to join the Beta Program.



Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Oracle's Always Free Autonomous Database and Cloud Infrastructure

Yesterday Larry Ellison announced in his keynote during the Oracle Open World 2019 the "Always Free Autonomous Database and Cloud Infrastructure". For more details about it see:

In short terms, you get a full environment with:
  • 2 Always Free Databases
    • Up to 1 OCPU and 20GB of Storage for each Database
    • SQL Developer Web-based
    • APEX 19.1.0.00.15
    • Automatic REST
    • SQL Notebooks for Machine Learning
  • 1 VM with a Linux
    • Oracle Linux 6.10, 7.6, 7.7
    • Ubuntu 16.04, 18.04
    • CentOS 6.10, 7
and everything for free and unlimited time ;-) That's a deal !

You just need to register and you can start to create your environment.

After you are done with the registration you can login to the Oracle Cloud Console:


From here you can start to perform your actions, like creating a Linux VM Instance or creating an Oracle Database (Autonomous Transaction Processing or Autonomous Data Warehouse) and so on.

Each creation step is really straight forward and no rocket science ;-)

For the Databases you will get after the creation a kind of overview page with your Database details and different option, like show Database Connection, Performance Hub, Service Console and so on.



The ATP Performance Hub give you a brief overview of your Database Performance


And also the Service Console comes in a clean and organised look:


From the Service Console you can also access the Web-based SQL Developer, just click on "Development" in the Service Console and than in the center screen "SQL Developer Web"


The Web-based SQL Developer is my personal highlight, you can test and run your queries now from everywhere, you just need a browser and an Internet Connection.

As well you get with your ATP Database Oracle APEX (Version 19.1.0.00.15), which can also be accessed from the Service Console, click on Development and than in the center screen Oracle APEX


This new Always Free Option from Oracle is definitely a game changer ...