Copying Transparent Encryption Oracle Wallets

If your database uses Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) and a software keystore, and you rely on the sqlnet.ora parameter ENCRYPTION_WALLET_LOCATION to locate the TDE software keystore, then ensure that the new release sqlnet.ora has a proper configuration.

Note:

This procedure using sqlnet.ora to configure keystores is deprecated. Oracle recommends that you use the instance initialization file-based approach using the WALLET_ROOT and TDE_CONFIGURATION initialization parameters. After the upgrade, review and configure the WALLET_ROOT initialization parameter.

If you use the sqlnet.ora file to configure keystores, then you must copy sqlnet.ora and the keystore file manually to a keystore location outside of the Oracle home. Wallets should be stored in a location outside of an Oracle Home. If you move the wallet, then you must update sqlnet.ora before starting the upgrade. For auto-login wallets, you must also copy the cwallet.sso file manually to the new keystore location.

  1. Log in as the user owning the Oracle home software, typically oracle.
  2. Manually copy the sqlnet.ora file, and the keystore file, ewallet.p12, to the new release Oracle home.
  3. If you have enabled an auto-login wallet, then also copy the cwallet.sso file to the new release Oracle home. There is no need to complete the next step. If you have not enabled an auto-login wallet, then proceed to the next step.
  4. If you have not enabled an auto-login wallet, then open the Oracle wallet in mount.

    For example:

    SQL> STARTUP MOUNT;
    SQL> ALTER SYSTEM SET ENCRYPTION WALLET OPEN

    To create a local auto-login keystore for a software keystore, use the following syntax:

    ADMINISTER KEY MANAGEMENT CREATE LOCAL AUTO_LOGIN KEYSTORE 
    FROM KEYSTORE 'keystore_location' 
    IDENTIFIED BY software_keystore_password;
    

    In this specification:

    • LOCAL enables you to create a local auto-login software keystore. Otherwise, omit this clause if you want the keystore to be accessible by other computers.

    • keystore_location is the path to the keystore directory location of the keystore that is configured in the sqlnet.ora file.

    • software_keystore_password is the existing password of the configured software keystore.