Oracle Client on Windows 7

While installing the Oracle Client on Windows 7 64-bit we encountered an error regarding the Operating System Version.

We were able to modify: win64_11gR1_client\client\stage\prereq\client\refhost.xml

WAS
<!--Microsoft Windows Vista-->
<OPERATING_SYSTEM>
<VERSION VALUE="6.0"/>
</OPERATING_SYSTEM>
</CERTIFIED_SYSTEMS>

Added…above </CERTIFIED_SYSTEMS>

<!--Microsoft Windows 7-->
<OPERATING_SYSTEM>
<VERSION VALUE="6.1"/>
</OPERATING_SYSTEM>

And the install continued.

Oracle Enterprise Manager site on Server 2008 and Internet Explorer 8

After a successful install of Oracle 11g we proceeded to the Oracle Enterprise Management site hosted locally on the server.  Typically the site is https://FQDN:1158/em

Server 2008 comes with IE8 which throws two fits (1) about security (2) about certificate. Now for the fix:
Security

1. Click on the link "Database Control" in the Oracle Program folder
2. You are presented with "Click here" /  "Continue" options.
3. Click "Continue to this website".
4. You are presented with a blank page.
5. Double-click Internet (globe in the bottom right).
6. Click "Trusted Sites" / Sites / Add / Close / OK.
7. Copy the URL at the top then close IE.

Certificate

1. Right-Click on an IE Shortcut & click "Run as administrator"
2. click in the address bar & paste the URL from above
3. You are again presented with "Click here" /  "Continue" options
4. Click "Continue to this website".
5. Find the Red alert at the top and click on "Certificate Error"
6. Click View Certificates
7. Click the "Certification Path" tab
8. Here you should see two certificates (one good & one with a red (x)).  Click on the top one.
9. Click "View Certificate"
10. Click "Install Certificate" / Next /
11. Click  (X) Place all certificates / Browse / Trusted Root Certification Authorities / OK /
12. Next / Finish / Yes / OK / OK / OK / Close the browser.
13. Click on the link "Database Control" in the Oracle Program folder

Using SQL Reporting Services against Oracle

1. Start with a functioning SRS Server


2. Install the Full Oracle Admin Client with your custom TNSnames file


3. Create a Data Source, Select Oracle as the Connection Type & Set the Connection String to "data source=(name from tnsnames file)"


4. select (X) credentials stored securely in the report server & enter a username & password then save.


5. if you get this error - follow the "Solution Description" below:

An error has occurred during report processing.

Cannot create a connection to data source 'oracletes'.

System.Data.OracleClient requires Oracle client software version 8.1.7 or greater.

Solution Description
--------------------

Oracle 9.2 Client software requires that you give the Authenticated User
privilege to the Oracle Home by following these steps:

1. Log on to Windows as a user with Administrator privileges.

2. Launch Windows Explorer from the Start Menu and and navigate to the
ORACLE_HOME folder. This is typically the "Ora92" folder under the
"Oracle" folder (i.e. D:\Oracle\Ora92).

3. Right-click on the ORACLE_HOME folder and choose the "Properties" option
from the drop down list. A "Properties" window should appear.

4. Click on the "Security" tab of the "Properties" window.

5. Click on "Authenticated Users" item in the "Name" list (on Windows XP
the "Name" list is called "Group or user names").

6. Uncheck the "Read and Execute" box in the "Permissions" list under the
"Allow" column (on Windows XP the "Permissions" list is called
"Permissions for Authenticated Users").

7. Re-check the "Read and Execute" box under the "Allow" column (this is
the box you just unchecked).

8. Click the "Advanced" button and in the "Permission Entries" list make
sure you see the "Authenticated Users" listed there with:

Permission = Read & Execute
Apply To = This folder, subfolders and files

If this is NOT the case, edit that line and make sure the "Apply onto"
drop-down box is set to "This folder, subfolders and files". This
should already be set properly but it is important that you verify this.

9. Click the "Ok" button until you close out all of the security properties
windows. The cursor may present the hour glass for a few seconds as it
applies the permissions you just changed to all subfolders and files.

10. Reboot your computer to assure that these changes have taken effect.