Oracle Net8 Configuration and Troubleshooting

Using External Naming Methods

Net8 supports two commonly used external naming methods: NDS and NIS. NDS is an acronym for Novell Directory Services and is a naming method often used in Novell NetWare environments. NIS is an acronym for Network Information Service, a naming method sometimes used in Unix environments.

Tip

You must be running SQL*Net 2.2 or higher, which includes all releases of Net8, in order to use either NDS or NIS.

Configuring NDS Naming

To configure a client to use NDS naming, you need to do two things. First, you need to add NDS to the list of naming methods that you want to use. Second, you may want to configure a default name context.

To add NDS to your list of naming methods, you must modify the NAMES.DIRECTORY_PATH parameter in your sqlnet.ora file. Use the keyword NOVELL to request that NDS naming be used. For example:

NAMES.DIRECTORY_PATH = (NOVELL)

Your next task is to specify a default naming context. A default naming context in the Novell world is similar to the default domain in the Net8 world. You can specify the default naming context using either a typeless or typed name. For example:

NATIVE_NAMES.NDS.NAME_CONTEXT=marketing.oracle
NATIVE_NAMES.NDS.NAME_CONTEXT=OU=marketing.o=oracle

The first example is of a typeless name, while the second shows a typed name.

Configuring NIS Naming

Client configuration for NIS naming is simple to the extreme. Simply add NIS to your list of naming methods. For example:

NAMES.DIRECTORY_PATH = (NIS)

or:

NAMES.DIRECTORY_PATH = (TNSNAMES,NIS) ...