1 Oracle Database Client Installation Overview

Installation Overview

The Oracle Database Client installation process consists of five steps:

1. Read the release notes: Read the Oracle Database 10g release 2 (10.2) release notes before you begin the installation. The release notes are available with the platform-specific documentation. The latest version of the release notes is available on Oracle Technology Network at:

   http://www.oracle.com/technology/documentation

2. Plan your installation: This overview chapter describes the installation types that you can use to install Oracle Database Client and issues to consider before you begin.

   You may also want to refer to Appendix A, "Frequently Asked Questions about Installation," in Oracle Database Installation Guide. This appendix advises on the best way to install Oracle products depending on your site's requirements.

   Note:

   If you perform a Custom installation, then ensure that you install only the components covered by your license. You can not install Standard Edition using Custom installation.

3. Complete preinstallation tasks: Chapter 2 describes preinstallation tasks that you must complete before installing Oracle Database Client.

4. Install the software: Use the following sections to install Oracle Database Client:

   • Chapter 3 describes how to use the Oracle Universal Installer (OUI) GUI to install Oracle Database Client.

   • Appendix A describes how to perform a silent or noninteractive installation using response files.

   • "Installing and Using Oracle Components in Different Languages" describes how to install and use Oracle components in different languages.

   • Appendix C provides troubleshooting advice in case you encounter problems with the installation.

   • Chapter 5 describes how to remove Oracle Database Client.

5. Complete postinstallation tasks: Use the following sections to complete the postinstallation tasks:

   • Chapter 4 describes recommended and required postinstallation tasks.

   • Appendix B provides information on globalization support.

Recommended File System

Oracle recommends that you install the database software on NTFS because it provides improved security of the database files, trace files, incident data, and so on, stored in Oracle home.

Managing User Accounts with User Account Control on Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008

To ensure that only trusted applications run on your computer, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 provide User Account Control. If you have enabled this security feature, then, depending on how you have configured it, Oracle Universal Installer prompts you for either your consent or your credentials when installing Oracle Database. Provide either the consent or your Windows Administrator credentials as appropriate.

You must have Administrator privileges to run some Oracle tools, such as Database Configuration Assistant, Net Configuration Assistant, and OPatch, or to run any tool or application that writes to any directory within the Oracle home. If User Account Control is enabled, and you are logged in as the local Administrator, then you can successfully run each of these commands in the usual way. However, if you are logged in as "a member of the Administrator group," then you must explicitly invoke these tasks with Windows Administrator privileges. All the Oracle shortcuts which require Administrator privileges will be invoked as "Administrator" automatically when we click the shortcuts. However, if you run the above tools from a Windows command prompt, you need to run them from an admin command prompt. OPatch does not have a shortcut and has to be run from an admin command prompt. See "Starting Database Tools on Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008" in Oracle Database Platform Guide for Microsoft Windows (x64) for more information.

To start a command prompt window with Windows Administrator privileges:

1. On your desktop, create a shortcut for the command prompt window. An icon for that shortcut appears on the desktop.

2. Right-click the icon for the newly created shortcut, and specify "Run as administrator."

When you open this window, the title bar reads Administrator: Command Prompt. Commands run from within this window are run with Administrator privileges.

Oracle Database Client Installation Types

You can choose one of the following installation types when installing Oracle Database Client:

• Instant Client: Installs only the shared libraries required by Oracle Call Interface applications that use the Instant Client feature. This installation type requires much less disk space than the other Oracle Database Client installation types.

  Included in the Instant Client installation is Instant Client Light. You may want to use this version of Instant Client if your applications will generate error messages in American English only. The advantage of using Instant Client Light is that it has a much smaller footprint than regular Instant Client. Hence, your applications use less memory.

• Administrator: Enables applications to connect to an Oracle database on the local system or on a remote system. It provides tools that let you administer an Oracle database.

• Runtime: Enables applications to connect to an Oracle database on the local system or on a remote system.

• Custom: Enables you to select individual components from the list of Administrator and Runtime components.

  Note:

  If you perform a Custom installation, then ensure that you install only the components covered by your license. You can not install Standard Edition using Custom installation.