Contents

Title and Copyright Information

Preface

• Audience
• Documentation Accessibility
• Command Syntax
• Accessing Documentation
• Related Documentation
• Typographic Conventions
• Third Party Software Notices

1 Installation Overview

• 1.1 Overview of Client Installation
• 1.2 Oracle Client Installation Methods
• • 1.2.1 Interactive Installation Methods
  • 1.2.2 Automated Installation Methods Using Response Files
• 1.3 Oracle Client Installation Types
• 1.4 Installation Considerations
• • 1.4.1 Hardware and Software Certification
  • 1.4.2 Multiple Oracle Homes
  • • 1.4.2.1 Installing the Software on a System with an Existing Oracle Installation

2 Preinstallation Tasks

• 2.1 Logging In to the System as root
• 2.2 Checking the Hardware Requirements
• 2.3 Checking the Software Requirements
• • 2.3.1 Instant Client Light Requirements
• 2.4 Creating Required Operating System Group and User
• • 2.4.1 Creating the Oracle Inventory Group
  • 2.4.2 Creating the Oracle Software Owner User
  • • 2.4.2.1 Determining Whether an Oracle Software Owner User Exists
    • 2.4.2.2 Creating an Oracle Software Owner User
    • 2.4.2.3 Modifying an Oracle Software Owner User
• 2.5 Identifying Required Software Directories
• • 2.5.1 Oracle Base Directory
  • 2.5.2 Oracle Inventory Directory
  • 2.5.3 Oracle Home Directory
• 2.6 Identifying or Creating an Oracle Base Directory
• • 2.6.1 Identifying an Existing Oracle Base Directory
  • 2.6.2 Creating an Oracle Base Directory
• 2.7 Configuring the oracle User's Environment

3 Installation Tasks

• 3.1 Reviewing Component-Specific Installation Guidelines
• 3.2 Accessing the Installation Software
• • 3.2.1 Downloading Oracle Software from the OTN Web Site
  • • 3.2.1.1 Downloading the Installation Archive Files
    • 3.2.1.2 Extracting the Installation Files
  • 3.2.2 Copying the Software to the Hard Disk
  • • 3.2.2.1 Mounting Discs
    • 3.2.2.2 Copying the Oracle Client Software to a Hard Disk
• 3.3 Installing the Oracle Client Software
• • 3.3.1 Reviewing Installation Guidelines
  • 3.3.2 Running Oracle Universal Installer

4 Postinstallation Tasks

• 4.1 Required Postinstallation Tasks
• • 4.1.1 Downloading and Installing Patches
  • 4.1.2 Running Oracle Enterprise Manager Java Console
  • 4.1.3 Updating Instant Client
  • 4.1.4 Connecting with Instant Client
• 4.2 Recommended Postinstallation Tasks
• • 4.2.1 Configuring Instant Client Light
  • 4.2.2 Creating a Backup of the root.sh Script
  • 4.2.3 Connecting Instant Client or Instant Client Light to an Oracle Database
  • • 4.2.3.1 Specifying a Connection by Using the Easy Connect Naming Method
    • 4.2.3.2 Specifying a Connection by Configuring a tnsnames.ora File
    • 4.2.3.3 Specifying a Connection by Using an Empty Connect String and the LOCAL Environment Variable
  • 4.2.4 Setting Up User Accounts
  • 4.2.5 Setting the NLS_LANG Environment Variable
  • 4.2.6 Generating the Client Static Library
• 4.3 Required Product-Specific Postinstallation Tasks
• • 4.3.1 Configuring Oracle Net Services
  • 4.3.2 Configuring Oracle Precompilers
  • • 4.3.2.1 Configuring Pro*FORTRAN

5 Removing Oracle Software

• 5.1 Removing Oracle Software

A Installing and Configuring Oracle Database Using Response Files

• A.1 How Response Files Work
• • A.1.1 Reasons for Using Silent Mode or Noninteractive Mode
  • A.1.2 General Procedure for Using Response Files
• A.2 Preparing a Response File
• • A.2.1 Editing a Response File Template
  • A.2.2 Recording a Response File
• A.3 Running Oracle Universal Installer Using a Response File

B Configuring Oracle Database Globalization Support

• B.1 About NLS_LANG Environment Variable
• B.2 Running Oracle Universal Installer in Different Languages

C Troubleshooting

• C.1 Verify Requirements
• C.2 X Window Display Errors
• C.3 What to Do If an Installation Error Occurs?
• C.4 Reviewing the Log of an Installation Session
• C.5 Troubleshooting Configuration Assistants
• • C.5.1 Configuration Assistant Failure
  • C.5.2 Fatal Errors
• C.6 Silent-Mode Response File Error Handling
• C.7 Cleaning Up After a Failed Installation

D Frequently Asked Questions About Installation

• D.1 Installing Oracle Database or Oracle Database Client
• D.2 Installing Oracle Database Tools
• D.3 Installing Oracle Database with Oracle Applications
• D.4 Installing Oracle Database Heterogeneous Connectivity Tools (Gateways)

Index