Preface

If you use an Oracle database, chances are that you also use Net8. Net8 is the fundamental networking technology that allows Oracle services and clients to communicate with each other over a network. The primary purpose of Net8 is to allow clients to talk to database servers, but Net8 also enables communications between database servers, application servers, gateways to other database systems, and external procedures.

Net8 is a key part of any solution involving the use of Oracle technologies over a network. Net8 does not refer to one specific program or service, but rather to a varied collection of networking functions. We cover the full range of Oracle networking features and products in this book. Major topics include:

  • Net8 architecture

  • Configuration of Net8 client software

  • Configuration of Net8 listeners

  • Configuration of name resolution methods such as the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), Oracle Names, and local naming

  • Configuration of advanced features such as Connection Manager, load balancing, and failover

  • Common problems and troubleshooting techniques

As any observer of today’s technology scene is keenly aware, connectivity is becoming all-important. Sun will tell you that “the network is the computer.” Oracle will tell you that “the Internet changes everything.” Clearly, if you are an Oracle database administrator or developer, you need to understand how to make Oracle a part of this new Internetworked world. Net8 is a key Oracle technology that will be around for the long-term. It’s worth learning well.

Audience

Oracle’s networking features can be hard to understand and operate. We well remember the frustrations we encountered and the questions we had when we first learned to deal with Net8. Our goal in writing this book was to develop a comprehensive and focused resource to help others master this very important technology.

This book is primarily targeted at Oracle DBAs. It’s the DBA who is usually charged with configuring Net8 listeners, LDAP, Oracle Names, and other aspects of Net8 on the server. In addition, DBAs are often called upon to specify the Net8 configuration for client PCs that access an Oracle database. When Oracle connectivity problems rear their ugly heads, it’s again the DBA who is usually called upon to resolve them.

While DBAs represent the primary audience, we believe that developers, and possibly system administrators, will find parts of this book helpful. Developers are often involved with Net8 client configuration and troubleshooting. System administrators will often need to know how Net8 is configured, even though they may not be the ones directly responsible for doing that work.

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