Creating a Linked Server to Oracle

Creating a Linked Server to Oracle

Creating a Linked Server to Oracle 150 150 Carlos L Chacon

I was recently asked to set up a linked server to Oracle and this is something I have done in the past.  No problem I thought.  To connect to Oracle you need the Oracle Data Access components and I has asked the Oracle DBA if they were installed.  He said yes and that everything was configured on his end.  I referenced David Browne’s blog for a quick review and ensured the Oracle directory was in the PATH variable.

I then proceeded to create the linked server got the following error–ORA-12514:TNS:listener does not currently know of service requested in connect descriptor

Oracle_HomeThere ended up being two issues–the first being, the TNSNames.ora file did not contain the entry for the database I was trying to connect to.  I guess the Oracle DBA didn’t think that was part of his setup.  Secondly, for some reason, the Oracle_Home variable was not set–it was blank.  I am not sure how that is possible; however, once I put the correct path in, I was golden and off and running.

Imagine what’s possible with a dedicated SQL specialist on your team.

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