• 58
• Oracle7 Server
• Overview of the Oracle7 Server
• Oracle7 Server Components
• System Requirements
• Server Hardware Requirements
• Server Operating System Requirements
• Client System Requirements
• Oracle7 Database Tools and Utilities
• Instance Manager
• Oracle Performance Monitor
• Event Viewer
• Server Manager
• Screen Mode Utilities for NetWare
• SQL*Net Easy Configuration for NetWare
• SQL*Plus for NetWare
• SQL*Plus for Windows NT
• How Oracle7 Server Differs from Other Oracle Packages
• Operating System Integration Support
• Oracle7 Features
• When to Use Oracle7 Server
• Summary

58

Oracle7 Server

The Oracle7 Server is one of the Oracle packages; it includes the Oracle7 database and client/server tools and utilities. Currently, it is available in the following editions:

• Oracle7 Server for Windows NT
  
  
• Oracle7 Server for NetWare
  
  
• Oracle7 Server for OS/2
  
  

This chapter presents the overview of Oracle7 Server and its major components. The Oracle7 Server is different from the Personal Oracle7 and the Oracle7 Workgroup Server. This chapter compares these three Oracle packages and discusses how Oracle7 Server differs from the other two Oracle packages. Each of the Oracle packages is tailored to meet specific client/server application development and deployment needs. This chapter explains when it is appropriate to use the Oracle7 Server and how it meets your business and technical needs.

Overview of the Oracle7 Server

The Oracle7 Server is a full-function Oracle7 database with integrated client/server tools and utilities. This section gives an overview of the Oracle7 Server and how it differs from other Oracle packages. It also discusses what components are included in the Oracle7 Server.

Oracle7 Server Components

The Oracle7 Server includes the multiuser Oracle7 database with the distributed options, Oracle database utilities, graphical tools, SQL products, SQL*Net, Secure Network Services, Oracle Objects for OLE, Oracle7 ODBC driver, and online documentation. The Oracle7 Server components are categorized into the server or client software. Table 58.1 summarizes the primary components of server software of the Oracle7 Server. For a complete list of all components and the detailed description, refer to your Oracle7 Server User's Guide.

Table 58.1. Oracle7 Server components.

Oracle7 Server version 7.2 for

Components

Windows NT

NetWare

OS/2

The client software of the Oracle7 Server is basically the same as that of the Oracle7 Workgroup Server and is summarized in Table 58.2. In the Oracle7 Server Version 7.2 for NetWare, three of the additional client software are Oracle Snap-In for NetWare Administrator, SQL*Plus for Windows NT, and SQL*Plus for OS/2. The important new tools and utilities are explained later in this chapter.

System Requirements

This section specifies the minimum hardware and software requirements for installing the Oracle7 Server software. The hardware and software requirements depend on a number of major factors, such as the size of the Oracle database system global area (SGA), the number of concurrent client connections, and the applications installed on the system. You need to refer to your Oracle7 Server User's Guide for detailed information on how to determine your system requirements. This section also provides several tips on installing and using the Oracle7 Server.

Server Hardware Requirements

This section describes the minimum hardware requirements for installing and running the Oracle7 Server.

• A minimum of 486 (or higher) or Pentium-based IBM, COMPAQ, or 100-percent compatible PC.
  
  
• The minimum amount of RAM required depends primarily on the size of the Oracle database SGA, the number of concurrent user connections, the type of client/server transactions, and the applications installed on the server. The following memory requirements is only a starting point:
  
  For Windows NT: A minimum of 16 MB of RAM; 32 MB is recommended.
  
  For NetWare: A minimum of 20 MB of free RAM, which is in addition to the RAM required by the NetWare operating system for loading its NetWare loadable modules (NLMs) and for it to cache the File Allocation Table (FAT). Additional 10 MB of free RAM is required if you select to install the Symmetric Replication Option.
  
  For OS/2: A minimum of 16 MB of RAM; 32 MB is recommended.
  
  

• For Windows NT: A minimum of 65 MB of free disk space. An additional 35 MB of free disk space is needed if you select to install the online documentation onto the server.
  
  For NetWare: A minimum of 30 MB of free disk space on the server for the Oracle7 Server for NetWare.
  
  For OS/2: A minimum of 45 MB of free disk space.
  
  
• A compatible network interface card (NIC) and its networking software supported by the server operating system.
  
  
• A CD-ROM drive attached locally or remotely as a logical drive.
  
  

Server Operating System Requirements

This section describes the minimum server operating system requirements for installing and running the Oracle7 Server.

• Windows NT 3.51 or higher, NetWare 3.12 or 4.1, or IBM OS/2 version 2.1 or higher.
  
  

Client System Requirements

The following system requirements are for installing the client software components of the Oracle7 Server on your client machine. Additional hardware and software might be required depending on your client machine's operating system and your network.

• A minimum of 386 (or higher) or Pentium-based IBM, COMPAQ, or 100-percent compatible PC. A 486 (or higher) machine is recommended.
  
  
• At least 4 MB of RAM; a minimum of 8 MB for Windows NT client.
  
  
• Enough free disk space for the selected client installation procedure or software. For example, a minimum of 54 MB of free disk space is required for a typical installation of the client software of the Oracle7 Server for NetWare.
  
  
• A compatible network interface card (NIC) and its networking software supported by the server and client operating system.
  
  
• A CD-ROM driver attached locally or remotely as a logical drive.
  
  

Oracle7 Database Tools and Utilities

The Oracle7 Server includes a suite of client and server tools and utilities for administering and maintaining your Oracle7 database. They include the server-based Oracle7 utilities, such as SQL*DBA, SQL*Loader, Export, and Import. The graphical user interface database tools and utilities are also included. Most of them are discussed in the previous chapters. This section introduces a number of new tools and utilities included in the Oracle7 Server version 7.2. For a complete list of the database tools and utilities included in the Oracle7 Server package, refer to your Oracle7 Server User's Guide. For more information about these tools and utilities, refer to the Oracle7 Server Utilities User's Guide, the Oracle7 Server User's Guide, the Oracle Database Tools User's Guide, and the Oracle Server Manager User's Guide.

Instance Manager

The Instance Manager is included in the Oracle7 Server version 7.2 for Windows NT. This graphical tool enables you to create, modify, and delete Oracle instances. You can only start or shut down an instance using Instance Manager while you are creating or deleting an instance. You can use SQL*DBA or Database Manager to start or shut down a database.

Oracle Performance Monitor

The Oracle Performance Monitor is included in the Oracle7 Server version 7.2 for Windows NT. It is a useful tool in helping you to monitor the performance of your distributed databases. You can select one or more variables to monitor from the Performance Monitor. Figure 58.1 shows a Performance Monitor dialog box.

Figure 58.1. An Oracle Performance Monitor dialog box.

Event Viewer

The Oracle7 Server Version 7.2 for Windows NT also includes an Event Viewer. When errors and alert conditions appear on your databases, the Event Viewer will notify you. After you view a list of errors and alert conditions from the Event Viewer, you can print the list or save it to a file.

Server Manager

The Server Manager is a database tool that enables you to start, shut down, and administer your local and remote databases which are Oracle7 Version 7.0 or higher. In Oracle7 Server Version 7.2 for NetWare, you can activate the line mode interface Server Manager from the file server console or the graphical interface Server Manager from a Windows workstation. If you want to load the Server Manager from the NetWare server console prompt, enter the following command:

     :LOAD  SVRMGR

The Server Manager enables you to have centralized database administration in a distributed database environment. There are three primary components in the graphical interface of the Server Manager: Administration Manager, SQL Worksheet, and System Monitors. Figure 58.2 shows the Oracle Server Manager for Windows dialog box. For descriptions on how to use Oracle Server Manager, refer to your Oracle Server Manager User's Guide.

Figure 58.2. The Oracle Server Manager for Windows dialog box.

The Administration Manager component enables you to manage the database storage (tablespace, data files, and rollback segments), manage database security (users, roles, and profiles), manage instances and sessions, back up and recover a database, and view database schema objects, such as constraints, triggers, and snapshots.

The SQL Worksheet enables you to enter, edit, and execute SQL and PL/SQL statements and scripts. Its Command History dialog box stores the last 20 commands you have executed. You can retrieve an entire command or part of a command from the Command History dialog box.

The System Monitors enable you to gather and review database performance statistics. The source of the statistics in the System Monitors component is the Oracle dynamic performance tables. Users who want to use the System Monitors need to have access to these dynamic performance tables. By running the UTLMONTR.SQL script, you can grant access to these tables to all users.

Screen Mode Utilities for NetWare

The Oracle7 Server Version 7.2 for NetWare includes four new screen mode utilities for NetWare: Oracle Manager (NWDBMGR), Export (NWEXPORT), Import (NWIMPORT), and SQL*Loader (NWLOADER). Although the functions of the screen mode utilities and the line mode utilities are basically the same, the screen mode utilities are menu-driven and they provide online help and directory browsing in the native NetWare server environment.

The Oracle Manager for NetWare allows you to administer the current database instance, alter a tablespace to be offline or online, configure the Oracle7 Server, and to create a new database instance.

The Export utility for NetWare in screen mode enables you to select the export mode, browse and select a user or tables from a list of available objects to export, enable or disable the export of grants, rows, constraints, and indexes options, and to set other parameters, such as record length, buffer size, commit after each array, and generate log file. Figure 58.3 shows the screen mode export utility.

Figure 58.3. The export utility for NetWare in screen mode.

SQL*Net Easy Configuration for NetWare

The SQL*Net Easy Configuration utility for NetWare allows you to configure the listener and database alias for the Oracle SPX Protocol Adapter, Oracle TCP/IP Protocol Adapter, and Oracle AppleTalk Protocol Adapter.

SQL*Plus for NetWare

Finally, SQL*Plus, an SQL-based language interface and end-user reporting tool, is available for NetWare. SQL*Plus for NetWare is included with the Oracle7 Server Version 7.2 for NetWare. You can start SQL*Plus for NetWare by entering the following command at the server console prompt:

     :LOAD  SQLPLUS

SQL*Plus for Windows NT

SQL*Plus for Windows NT is a 32-bit application that enables you to run SQL and PL/SQL scripts in the Windows NT environment. SQL*Plus for Windows NT is included with the Oracle7 Server Version 7.2 for Windows NT.

How Oracle7 Server Differs from Other Oracle Packages

The Oracle7 Server is designed for developers and organizations that require distributed database systems to develop and deploy client/server applications in an enterprise-wide environment. This section highlights the differences between Oracle7 Server and other Oracle packages, including Personal Oracle7 and Oracle7 Workgroup Server.

The primary difference between the Oracle7 Server and Personal Oracle7 is that the Oracle7 Server is a multiuser database system, whereas the Personal Oracle7 is a single-user/developer database system. Although the Oracle7 Server and the Oracle7 Workgroup Server share many similarities, the Oracle7 Server is targeted at users who require real-time data access across distributed databases, whereas the Oracle7 Workgroup Server is targeted at users who need data to reside on a single server in a workgroup or small-to-medium sized business environment.

Operating System Integration Support

Similar to the Oracle7 Workgroup Server, the Oracle7 Server is also tightly integrated with the server operating system. However, the Oracle7 Server can function beyond a local area network environment because it supports the enterprise network environment. Table 58.2 shows three of the operating system integration support.

Table 58.2. Operating system integration support.

             Oracle7 Server version 7.2 for

Windows NT

NetWare 4.1

OS/2

In Oracle7 Server for NetWare, the Symmetric Multiprocessing (SMP) support and NetWare Directory Services (NDS) support are available only with NetWare 4.1. Both SMP and NDS are not available in NetWare 3.12. The SMP support enables the processes and login threads to be distributed among the available CPUs to avoid high utilization on a single CPU. The Parallel Query Option requires the SMP support in NetWare 4.1.

The Oracle7 Server Version 7.2 for NetWare supports NetWare Directory Services (NDS), which enables you to have central access to your network resources, including NetWare servers, users, printers, and databases in a distributed environment. Using the NetWare NWADMIN for Windows utility, the NDS support enables you as an Oracle database administrator to create an Oracle database instance as a new object in the directory tree. If you want to allow the NetWare 4.1 users and groups to be able to connect to the Oracle database instance through a single database user account, you can map the NetWare 4.1 users and groups to a database user account using NWADMIN. You can also allow a NDS group to inherit the privileges of a database role by mapping the NDS group to a database role.

The NDS support has the following requirements:

• The server operating system must be NetWare 4.1.
  
  
• The NetWare NWADMIN utility for Windows must be available on a workstation.
  
  
• SQL*Net Version 2.2 or above must be installed on both the server and client.
  
  
• The Oracle Snap-In for NetWare Administrator must be installed and available on a workstation.
  
  

Oracle7 Features

The Oracle7 Server is different from other Oracle packages in terms of the Oracle7 database features. Certain Oracle7 features are available for the Oracle7 Server, but they are not available for other Oracle7 packages, such as the parallel query option. Table 58.3 summarizes some of the Oracle7 features currently available for each Oracle package.

Table 58.3. Oracle7 new features available for the Oracle packages.

Personal

Oracle7

Oracle7

Oracle7 Features

Oracle7

Workgroup Server

Server

When to Use Oracle7 Server

To select an Oracle package that meets your business needs and technical needs is not an easy task. You might need more than one Oracle package for your organization or business to develop and deploy your client/server applications. This section discusses when using the Oracle7 Server is appropriate and how it meets your business and technical needs.

• Distribution Option. In a distributed environment, you might have several databases located at various buildings or cities. The database users might require real-time access to multiple databases at different locations simultaneously. This operation might require distributed query and distributed updates against multiple databases. The distributed option provides these functions and is available as an option for the Oracle7 Server. If you want a multiuser Oracle7 server with the distributed option to run on a Desktop platform, the Oracle7 Server will meet these requirements. For more information about the distributed option, refer to the Oracle7 Server Concepts Manual.
  
  
• Parallel Query Option. The parallel query option enables a SQL statement to be processed by multiple CPUs simultaneously to increase the database performance. The parallel query option is available as an option for the Oracle7 Server. If your server has multiple CPUs and it is running either Windows NT or a NetWare operating system that supports SMP, and you want to take advantage of the parallel query option, you can choose the Oracle7 Server rather than the Personal Oracle7 or the Oracle7 Workgroup Server. The parallel query option is not available for the Personal Oracle7 or the Oracle7 Workgroup Server. For detailed information about this option, refer to the Oracle7 Server Concepts Manual.
  
  
• Symmetric Replication Option or Advanced Replication Option. The symmetric replication option enables you to maintain and update multiple copies of data from all sites in different locations. Symmetric replication is a highly complicated process. For detailed description about this option, refer to the Oracle7 Server Distributed System, Volume II: Replicated Data.
  
  

Summary

This chapter compared the Oracle7 Server with the Personal Oracle7 and Oracle7 Workgroup Server. It also discussed the system requirements and the major features of the Oracle7 Server. In summary, the Oracle7 Server for the desktop platforms is the same as the Oracle7 Server that runs on UNIX, MVS, and other platforms, except for certain operating system specific features, such as the parallel server option.