3 Installing Oracle Database Client

3.1.1 Installation Consideration on Windows Vista and Later

On Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows 7, command prompts should be opened with Administrator privileges.

3.1.2 Installing Oracle Database Client Installations in Silent or Noninteractive Mode

If you need to perform multiple installations of Oracle Database Client, you may want to use silent or noninteractive mode, with response files. In these modes, at each computer, you run Oracle Universal Installer from the command line using a response file. The response file is a text file containing the settings you normally enter in the Oracle Universal Installer GUI dialog boxes. This method lets you quickly perform multiple installations using similar settings for each computer.

3.1.3 Creating the Oracle Base Directory

If you install Oracle Database Client on a computer with no other Oracle software installed, Oracle Universal Installer creates an Oracle base directory for you. If Oracle software is already installed, one or more Oracle base directories already exist. In the latter case, Oracle Universal Installer offers you a choice of Oracle base directories into which you can install Oracle Database Client.

You are not required to create an Oracle base directory before installation, but you can do so if you want.

3.1.4 Installing Oracle Database Client into Multiple Oracle Homes

You can install all Oracle components in multiple Oracle homes on the same computer. However, some components can only support one active instance at a time. This means that the current (latest) installation renders the previous one inactive. These components are:

• Oracle Administration Assistant for Windows

• Oracle Counters for Windows Performance Monitor

• Oracle Objects for OLE on Windows 32-bit

• Oracle Provider for OLE DB

3.1.5 Installing Oracle Database Client on a System with an Existing Oracle Software

Oracle Database Client can be installed in the same Oracle Database home if both products are at the same release level. For example, you can install Oracle Database Client 10g Release 2 (10.2) into an existing Oracle Database 10g Release 2 (10.2) home. If you apply a patch set before installing the client, then you must apply the patch set again. Oracle Universal Installer will prompt you for an Oracle home directory, whether you have other Oracle software installed on the computer or not. You cannot install products from one release of Oracle Database Client into an Oracle home directory of a different release. For example, you cannot install Oracle Database 11g release 1 (11.1) software into an existing Oracle9i Oracle home directory.

You can install this release more than once on the same system as long as each installation is installed in a separate Oracle home directory.

3.1.6 Updating the Existing Software with the Current Version

Use the In-Place Upgrade feature to upgrade an existing client installation to the latest release by installing the new client software into an existing client home with the same installation type. For example, if release 11.2.0.1 is installed, then use Oracle Universal Installer to upgrade to release 11.2.0.2.

Consider the following before selecting this option:

• This upgrade is only possible in a client home and not in any other Oracle home that contains non-client installations, such as Database installations.

• This upgrade does not delete files in the client home that are commonly updated by other users. For example, configuration data files.

• This upgrade cannot be performed if processes associated with the Oracle Database Client home are running.

This functionality is available starting with Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (11.2.0.2).

3.2.1 Installing from a Remote DVD Drive

If the computer where you want to install Oracle Database Client does not have a DVD drive, you can perform the installation from a remote DVD drive. You must complete the following steps:

• Step 1: On the Remote Computer, Share the DVD Drive

• Step 2: On the Local Computer, Map the DVD Drive

3.2.2 Installing on Remote Computers Through Remote Access Software

If you want to install and run Oracle Database Client on a remote computer (that is, the remote computer has the hard drive and will run Oracle Database Client components), but you do not have physical access to the computer, you still can perform the installation on the remote computer if it is running remote access software such as VNC or Symantec pcAnywhere. You also need the remote access software running on your local computer.

You can install Oracle Database Client on the remote computer in one of two ways:

• If you have copied the contents of the Oracle Database Client DVD to a hard drive, you can install from the hard drive.

• You can insert the DVD into a drive on your local computer, and install from the DVD.

3.2.3 Downloading Oracle Software

You can download the trial version of the installation files from the Oracle Technology Network (OTN) or Oracle Software Delivery Cloud Web site and extract them on your hard disk. Make sure that you completely review and understand the terms of the license. Most downloads include the Development License. This section contains the following topics:

• Downloading the Installation Archive Files from OTN

• Downloading the Software from Oracle Software Delivery Cloud

• Extracting the Installation Files

3.2.4 Copying the Oracle Database Client Software to a Hard Disk

To copy the contents of the media to a hard disk:

1. Create a directory for the installation files on your hard drive. For example:

   d:\install\client
   

2. Copy the contents of the installation media to the directory that you just created.

When you have copied the required installation files, see the "Installing the Oracle Database Client Software" section.

3.3.1 Guidelines for Installing Oracle Database Client

In most cases, you use the graphical user interface (GUI) provided by Oracle Universal Installer to install Oracle Database Client. However, you can also use Oracle Universal Installer to complete silent or noninteractive installations using a response file, without using the GUI. This method is particularly useful if you need to perform multiple installations of Oracle Database Client.

As you install Oracle Database Client, follow these guidelines:

• Do not use Oracle Universal Installer from an earlier Oracle product release to install components from this release.

• Use the same installation media to install Oracle Database Client on all supported Windows platforms.

• If you reinstall Oracle software into an Oracle home directory where Oracle Database Client is already installed, you must reinstall any components that were installed before you began the reinstallation.

• Do not modify the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) except by using a patch provided by Oracle Support Services. Oracle Universal Installer automatically installs the Oracle-supplied version of the JRE. This version is required to run Oracle Universal Installer and several Oracle assistants.

• If you encounter errors during installation, click Help or see Appendix D, "Troubleshooting the Oracle Database Client Installation" for advice.

• Products not installed by default, in case of Custom installation:

  • Oracle Connection Manager

  • Oracle Net Listener

  • Oracle Scheduler Agent

  • Oracle Services for Microsoft Transaction Server

  • Oracle Counters for Windows Performance Monitor

3.3.2 Procedure for Installing Oracle Database Client

Use Oracle Universal Installer to install the Oracle Database Client software.

To install Oracle Database Client perform the following steps:

1. Log on as a member of the Administrators group to the computer to install Oracle components.

   If you are installing on a Primary Domain Controller (PDC) or a Backup Domain Controller (BDC), log on as a member of the Domain Administrators group.

2. Insert the Oracle Database Client installation media and navigate to the client directory. Alternatively, navigate to the directory where you downloaded or copied the installation files.

   Use the same installation media to install Oracle Database on all supported Windows platforms.

3. Double-click setup.exe to start Oracle Universal Installer.

   Starting with Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (11.2.0.2), if you plan to run the installation in a secured data center, then you can download updates before starting the installation by starting Oracle Universal Installer on a system that has Internet access in update download mode. To start Oracle Universal Installer to download updates, enter the following command:

   ./setup.exe -downloadUpdates
   

   Provide the My Oracle Support user name and password, and provide proxy settings if needed on the Provide My Oracle Support credentials screen. Then, enter the Download location and click Download on the Download software updates screen. If updates are available, then they are downloaded in the location provided. The Finish Updates screen shows the successful download of the updates. Click Close.

   After you download updates, transfer the update file to a directory on the server where you plan to run the installation.

   See Also:

   • Oracle Universal Installer and OPatch User's Guide for information about response file formats

   • "Software Updates Option"

4. If you have an existing Oracle Database Client 11g Release 2 (11.2) installed on your system, the Select Installation Mode screen is displayed. Select New Install to install Oracle Database Client software in to a new location.

   Starting with Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (11.2.0.2), if you want to upgrade an earlier release of Oracle Database Client, then select Upgrade and follow the instructions in "Performing an In-place Oracle Database Client Upgrade"

5. In the Select Installation Type screen, select the type of installation that you want: Instant Client, Administrator, Runtime, or Custom and click Next.

6. Starting with Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (11.2.0.2), you can use the Software Updates feature to dynamically download and apply latest updates. In the Download Software Updates screen, select one of the following options, and click Next:

   • Use My Oracle Support credentials for download to download and apply the latest software updates.

     Click Proxy Settings to configure a proxy for Oracle Universal Installer to use to connect to the Internet. Provide the proxy server information for your site, along with a user account that has access to the local area network through which the server is connecting. Starting with Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (11.2.0.3), you can enter the Proxy Realm information. The proxy realm information is case-sensitive. If you do not have a proxy realm, then you do not need to provide an entry for the Proxy Username, Proxy Password, and Proxy Realm fields.

     Click Test Connection to ensure that your proxy settings are correctly entered, and the installer can download the updates.

   • Use pre-downloaded software updates to apply previously downloaded software updates.

   • Skip software updates if you do not want to apply any updates.

     See Also:

     "Software Updates Option"

7. The Apply Software Updates screen is displayed if you select to download the software updates or provide the pre-downloaded software downloads location. If you selected Use My Oracle Support credentials for download in the previous screen, then select Download and apply all updates, and click Next. If you selected Use pre-downloaded software updates, then select Apply all updates, and click Next.

8. The Select Product Languages screen enables you to select the language in which you want to run the product.

   Select the product language from the Available Languages list, transfer it to the Selected Languages list. Click Next.

   This screen is not displayed if you select Instant Client as the type of installation in step 5.

9. In the Specify Installation Location screen, enter the following details:

   Oracle Base: This path appears by default. You can change the path based on your requirement.

   The Oracle Base section is not displayed if you select Instant Client as the type of installation in step 5.

   In the Software Location section, accept the default value or enter the Oracle home directory path in which you want to install Oracle components. The directory path should not contain spaces. Click Next.

10. If you selected Custom as the type of installation in step 5, then the Available Product Components screen is displayed. Select the products that you want to install and click Next.

11. In step 10, if you select Oracle Scheduler Agent as one of the components that you want to install, then the Oracle Database Scheduler Agent screen is displayed. Enter the Scheduler Agent Host Name, and the Scheduler Agent Port Number. Click Next.

12. The Perform Prerequisite Checks screen verifies if your computer meets the minimum system requirements to install the desired product. Click Next.

    Note:

    Oracle recommends that you use caution in checking the Ignore All option. If you check this option, then Oracle Universal Installer may not confirm that your system is able to install Oracle Database successfully.

13. Review the information displayed in the Summary screen, and click Install.

    Note:

    Starting with Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (11.2), you can save all the installation steps into a response file by clicking Save Response File. Later, this file can be used for a silent installation.

14. The Install Product screen shows the progress of a client installation. After Oracle Database Client is installed, click OK.

15. If you are performing a Custom installation, and selected Oracle Net Listener from the list of components to install in step 10, then go to "Using Oracle Net Configuration Assistant" for instructions.

16. In the Finish screen, click Close to exit Oracle Universal Installer.

Using Oracle Net Configuration Assistant

During a Custom Oracle Database Client installation, if you select Oracle Net Listener from the list of components to install in step 10, then Oracle Universal Installer automatically starts Oracle Net Configuration Assistant as part of the Oracle Database Client installation. Perform the following to configure the listener and naming methods using Oracle Net Configuration Assistant:

1. In the Welcome screen, click Next.

2. In the Listener Configuration screen, enter a Listener name or accept the default value. Click Next.

3. In the Listener Configuration, Select Protocol screen, select one or more protocols from the Available Protocols list, and move it to the Selected Protocols list. Click Next.

4. In the Listener Configuration, TCP/IP Protocol screen, select the standard port number, or enter a different port number. Click Next.

5. Select No if you do not want to configure an additional listener, and click Next.

6. The listener configuration is now complete, click Next to proceed.

7. In the Naming Methods Configuration screen, select Yes to configure naming methods. Click Next.

8. In the Naming Methods Configuration screen, select the naming method you want from the list of Available Naming Methods and then click Next.

   Typically, Local Naming is sufficient.

9. In the Net Service Name Configuration screen, enter Service Name, and click Next.

10. In the Net Service Name Configuration screen, select the protocol for the database you want to access, and click Next.

11. In the Net Service Name Configuration screen, enter the Host name of the computer where the Oracle database is installed. Use the standard port number, or specify a different port number, and click Next.

12. In the Net Service Name Configuration, Test screen, click Yes to test the database connection. Click Next.

    In most cases, the test fails only because the default user name and password Oracle Universal Installer supplies in the dialog box do not match the user name and password for the target database. Click Change Login, reenter the user name and password, and then click OK.

13. In the Connecting screen, click Next.

14. In the Net Service Name screen, enter the name of the Net Service Name, and click Next.

15. Answer the remaining prompts to complete the configuration.

16. In the Finish screen, click Close, to exit from Oracle Universal Installer.

You can also run Oracle Net Configuration Assistant after the installation in standalone mode to configure the listener, naming methods, net service names, and directory server usage.

To start Oracle Net Configuration Assistant in standalone mode, select Programs from the Start menu, and then select Oracle - HOME_NAME. Next, select Configuration and Migration Tools, and then Oracle Net Configuration Assistant.

3.3.3 Performing an In-place Oracle Database Client Upgrade

Starting with Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (11.2.0.2) you can perform an in-place upgrade of Oracle Database Client 11g Release 2 (11.2) using the following instructions:

1. Perform Steps 1 through 3 listed in "Procedure for Installing Oracle Database Client".

2. The Select Installation Mode screen is displayed only if you have an existing Oracle Database Client 11g Release 2 (11.2.0.1) or later installed on your system, . Select Upgrade to upgrade the existing Oracle Database Client software to the latest version.

3. In the Specify Installation Location screen, accept the default Software Location value or enter the Oracle home directory path in which you want to install Oracle components. The directory path should not contain spaces. Click Next.

4. In the Download Software Updates screen, select one of the following options, and click Next:

   • Use My Oracle Support credentials for download

   • Use pre-downloaded software updates

   • Skip software updates

   See Step 6 in "Procedure for Installing Oracle Database Client" for more information about the options in the Download Software Updates screen.

5. The Apply Software Updates screen is displayed if you select to download the software updates or provide the pre-downloaded software updates location. Select either Download and apply all updates or Apply all updates, as applicable, and click Next.

   See Step 7 in "Procedure for Installing Oracle Database Client" for more information about the options in the Apply Software Updates screen.

6. The Select Product Languages screen enables you to select the language in which you want to run the product.

   Select the product language from the Available Languages list, transfer it to the Selected Languages list. Click Next.

7. The Perform Prerequisite Checks screen verifies if your computer meets the minimum system requirements to install the desired product. Click Next.

8. Review the information displayed in the Summary screen, and click Install.

9. The Install Product screen displays the progress of the client upgrade.

10. Review the information in the Finish screen and click Close to exit Oracle Universal Installer.