KBI 312119 Enhancement: Now Argent for Oracle Can Make Use Of A 64-Bit Oracle Instant Client To Monitor Oracle Database Instances

Version

Argent Advanced Technology 5.1A-2310-A and above

Date

Wednesday, 18 October 2023

Summary

From Argent Advanced Technology version 1610-A onwards, Argent for Oracle is only compiled with the 32-bit Oracle 12.2.0 C++ Call Interface (OCCI) library; thus, it requires a 32-bit Oracle client to be installed on the Argent server as a prerequisite.

Because of this, Argent for Oracle was directed to use only a 32-bit monitor engine to run Oracle-specific rules.

Argent for Oracle has been enhanced to use a 64-bit Oracle 12.2.0 C++ Call Interface (OCCI) library as well, which will make use of a 64-bit monitor engine process.

Argent for Oracle will pick the right monitor engine process depending upon the type (32-bit or 64-bit) of Oracle client installed.

Argent for Oracle will use a 32-bit monitor engine if only a 32-bit client is installed and configured on the Argent server.

Argent for Oracle will use a 64-bit monitor engine if only a 64-bit client is installed and configured on the Argent server.

For better compatibility, Argent for Oracle will use a 32-bit monitor engine if both 32-bit and 64-bit clients are installed on the Argent server.

Technical Background

Follow the below KBI to install and configure Oracle 12.2.0 32-bit Client in Argent Server:
KBI 312092 – Configure Oracle Instant Client To Monitor Oracle Database Instances Using Argent for Oracle

The following section describes how to install and configure a 64-bit Oracle 12.2.0 Instant Client on Argent Server.

Steps To Configure A 64-bit Oracle Instant Client On The Argent Server:

The Oracle 12.2.0 C++ Call Interface (OCCI) library is built using Visual C++ 2013.
So before configuring the Instant Client, a 64-bit Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2013 must be installed on the Argent server to monitor the Oracle instances.

The Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2013 is downloadable in following Microsoft link:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-US/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist?view=msvc-170#bookmark-vs2013

Do the following steps to configure 64-bit Oracle Instant Client:

  1. Create an installation directory for the Oracle client components. For example:
    C:\Oracle_Client_64_bit
  2. Download 64-bit Oracle Instant Client version 12.2 from Oracle web site:
    https://www.oracle.com/database/technologies/instant-client/winx64-64-downloads.html

    Choose Instant Client Package – Basic of version 12.2:



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  3. Save the file in the installation directory that you created in Step 1. For example:
    C:\Oracle_Client_64_bit\instantclient-basic-windows.x64-12.2.0.1.0.zip
  4. Unzip the file. The files are extracted into a subdirectory called instantclient_12_2. For example:
    C:\Oracle_Client_64_bit\instantclient_12_2



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  5. Add the full path of the Instant Client to the environment variables OCI_LIB64 and PATH.
    The following steps set the variables to the path used in this example,
    C:\Oracle_Client_64_bit\instantclient_12_2:

    • In Windows Control Panel, choose System, then click Advanced system settings.
    • On the Advanced tab, click Environment Variables.
    • Under System variables, create OCI_LIB64 if it does not already exist. Set the value of OCI_LIB64 to C:\Oracle_Client_64_bit\instantclient_12_2.


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    • Under System variables, edit PATH to include
      C:\Oracle_Client_64_bit\instantclient_12_2.



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  6. Add the network configuration file named tnsnames.ora inside TNS folder under
    C:\Oracle_Client_64_bit\instantclient_12_2. Create the folder if it is not available:



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  7. Add TNS_ADMIN environment variable that tells the client where to look for tnsnames.ora file. In our example, it will point to the folder
    C:\Oracle_Client_64_bit\instantclient_12_2\TNS:



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  8. After setting up the variables and path for Oracle Client 64-bit, Rules and Relators will run using the 64-bit engine in Argent for Oracle.

    Note:
    Please restart Argent for Oracle Scheduling service named Argent for Oracle – Scheduling Engine to reflect the new Environment Variable changes.



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Resolution

Upgrade to Argent Advanced Technology 5.1A-2310-A or above

For further assistance, please contact Argent on Instant Help at
https://Instanthelp.Argent.com/