Oracle7 Server Distributed Systems Volume I: Distributed Data

**SQL*Net's Administration Utilities**

SQL*Net has administrative, performance, and security related utilities, making it even easier to use in large environments. Some of these utilities are:

password encryption

client-side load balancing

connection route testing with ping

SNMP support

diagnostic logging and tracing capabilities

**Encrypting Passwords with SQL*Net**

The Listener Control Utility and the Oracle Names server provide for optional passwords to allow only authorized personnel to perform certain administration tasks.

Oracle Network Manager provides the option to encrypt these passwords within the configuration files for enhanced security. These passwords and SQL*Net logon passwords are also encrypted when passed over the network.

See the Oracle Network Manager Administrator's Guide for information on how to configure encrypted passwords for the listener and Names server control utilities. Also see Understanding SQL*Net and the Oracle7 Server Administrator's Guide for information on password encryption.

Monitoring Network Services with SNMP Support

SQL*Net release 2.2 includes support for the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) which allows the Oracle7 Server and the MultiProtocol Interchange, Oracle Names, and SQL*Net Listener to be monitored through SNMP-based platforms such as:

HP's OpenView

IBM's NetView/6000

Novell's NetWare Management

SunSoft's SunNet Manager

Digital's POLYCENTER

Support for these widely-used, SNMP-based management systems allows you to more easily integrate Oracle into your existing infrastructure. You have the freedom to choose the network management utility you want to use.

To monitor an Interchange, an Oracle7 database, SQL*Net listener, or Oracle Names server using Oracle SNMP support, you configure the server in Network Manager.

For example, if you want an Interchange to be monitored, you enter parameters into the SNMP Interchange Details window to control the Interchange subagent. Additionally, you can enter the name or other identifier of the person who administers this service.

See the Oracle Network Manager Administrator's Guide for more information.

**SQL*Net's Diagnostic Logging and Tracing Capabilities**

SQL*Net version 2 provides tracing and logging abilities that enable you to record the behavior of each of the components of the network and to troubleshoot problems when they occur.

For detailed information about tracing and logging, see the Oracle Network Products Troubleshooting Guide.

Connection Route Testing with PING

SQL*Net release 2.2 includes the TNSPING utility that allows clients to test connections to the servers. You can use TNSPING to test the status of the connection before actually logging on to the server.

This added functionality allows users to validate network connections before executing SQL statements. See Understanding SQL*Net for more information.