APPENDIX A. Major Changes and Enhancements from Previous Versions of SQL*Net
This appendix lists the major changes from previous versions of SQL*Net to SQL*Net Version 2.3.3, as follows:
List of Changes
Most changes are specific to OpenVMS customers, except for the first item listed below, which is the most significant one. Generic enhancements have been made to SQL*Net functionality and these are explained in the "Understanding SQL*Net" documentation.
- SQL*Net Version 1 is no longer supported, starting with Oracle7 Version 7.3.2 on all platforms. You should remove any SQL*Net Version 1 aliases from your TNSNAMES.ORA file and replace any database links which use Version 1 connect strings with links that use Version 2 connect descriptors.
The Network Manager (NETMAN) is no longer supported on server platforms. You must now configure your network with NETMAN on a Windows desktop system.
- Linking in "Single-task" is no longer supported on OpenVMS. All database client programs must use SQL*Net to connect to a server process.
- The DECnet and TCP/IP adapters are no longer provided in separate savesets and are part of the NETCONFIG saveset. They must still, however, be enabled on the NETCONFIG configuration screen.
- There are no longer separate adapters for the different TCP/IP vendors. Therefore, there is no need to specify the TCP/IP vendor on the NETCONFIG configuration screen. The Oracle TCP/IP adapter for OpenVMS is now coded for UCX (Digital TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS) and uses the UCX emulation mode provided by the other TCP/IP vendors.
- The bequeath adapter now provides the capability to connect to a local database without configuring SQL*Net. Please refer to Chapter 3, "The Protocol Adapters" for more information.
- The process quotas for the listener, dedicated servers, and prespawned servers can now be controlled via logical names. Please refer to Chapter 4, "The TNS Listener" for more information.
Enhancements
Enhancements for Release 7.3.3 are as follows:
- Enabling nonblocking read/write for the Bequeath Adapter
- Increasing the default message size for the Bequeath Adapter from 512 to 2048 bytes
- Modifying process names to reflect the type of process
- TNS Listener process name in the format ORA_xxxxxxxxnnn
where:
xxxxxxxx is the last eight characters of the Listener name
nnn is a unique number
- Bequeath process name is in the format ORA_xxxxxxBnnnn
where:
xxxxxx is the SID name (maximum of six characters)
nnnn is a unique number
- Dedicated server process in the format ORA_xxxxxxCnnnn
where:
xxxxxx is the SID name (maximum of six characters)
nnnn is a unique number
- Prespawned server process in the format ORA_xxxxxxPnnnn
where:
xxxxxx is the SID name (maximum of six characters)
nnnn is a unique number
- Names process in the format ORA_xxxxxxxxnnn
where:
xxxxxxxx is the last eight characters of that name
nnn is a unique number
- Implementing valid node verification using PROTOCOL.ORA file
A sample file can be found in TNS_ADMIN:PROTOCOL_ORA.SAMPLE
- Creating a server trace file in the trace directory when using TNS Listener
Note: In the previous release, it was created in the directory: sys$login
- Trapping messages like 'process quota exceeded' in a trace file
If a process exited abnormally, a trace file will be created in the trace directory under the DB directory.
- Modifying the default key for AUTOMATIC_IPC to something other than SID
Note: In the previous release, the SID name was used to create a system logical name that sometimes interfered with other products. Now the prefix ORA_IPC_ is being used before the SID name to get a unique logical name that relates to an Oracle product.
- Increasing 'LSNRCTL STARTUP' time when using TCP/IP and DECnet protocols.
Note: In the previous release, the 'LSNRCTL STARTUP' command using TCP/IP on DECnet protocols took almost two minutes. Now, to startup the listener with any of these protocols should take about twenty seconds.
Note: Refer to the SQLNETOPEN.TXT file in the installation for a complete explanation.