1. Net Services Administrator's Guide
  2. Configuration and Administration of Oracle Net Services
  3. Configuring Oracle Connection Manager

10 Configuring Oracle Connection Manager

Oracle Connection Manager is a proxy server that forwards connection requests to databases or other proxy servers. It operates on the session level. It usually resides on a computer separate from the database server and client computers. Oracle Connection Manager is available for installation with Oracle Database 12c Enterprise Edition. It is a custom installation option on the Client disk.

The primary functions of Oracle Connection Manager are:

  • Access control: To use rule-based configuration to filter user-specified client requests and accept others.

  • Session multiplexing: To funnel multiple client sessions through a network connection to a shared server destination.

Learn how to configure Oracle Connection Manager features.

See Also:

10.1 About the cman.ora File

You configure the computer that hosts Oracle Connection Manager by setting parameters in the cman.ora file. The cman.ora file resides on the computer that hosts Oracle Connection Manager, and is located in the ORACLE_HOME/network/admin directory. Oracle Connection Manager will not start if the cman.ora file does not exist. This file includes the following components:

  • Listening endpoint

  • Access control rule list

  • Parameter list

Each Oracle Connection Manager configuration is encapsulated within a single name-value (NV) string, which consists of the preceding components.

One computer can host any number of Oracle Connection Managers, each with its own entry in the cman.ora file. When defining more than one Oracle Connection Manager in the file, you can assign a default by giving only one a fully qualified host name.

You can specify multiple rules for both client and Oracle Connection Manager Control utility (CMCTL) connections. The following guidelines apply when making changes:

  • You must enter at least one rule for client connections and one rule for CMCTL connections. Omitting a rule results in the rejection of all connections for the rule type omitted.

  • Oracle Connection Manager does not support wildcards for partial IP addresses. If you use a wildcard, then use it in place of a full IP address. The IP address of the client may be, for example, (SRV=*).

  • Oracle Connection Manager supports only the /nn notation for subnet addresses. In Example 10-1, in the first rule, /24 represents a subnet mask that comprises 24 left-most bits. Only the first 24 bits in the client's IP address are compared with the IP address in the rule.

Note:

Oracle Connection Manager supports IPv6 addressing. See "Using Oracle Connection Manager as a Bridge for IPv4 and IPv6".

Example 10-1 shows a cman.ora file that contains a configuration entry for an Oracle Connection Manager called CMAN1.

Example 10-1 Sample cman.ora File

CMAN1=
  (CONFIGURATION=
    (ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=tcp)(HOST=proxysvr)(PORT=1521))
    (RULE_LIST=
      (RULE=(SRC=192.0.2.32/24)(DST=sales-server)(SRV=*)(ACT=accept)
        (ACTION_LIST=(AUT=on)(MCT=120)(MIT=30)))
      (RULE=(SRC=192.0.2.32)(DST=proxysvr)(SRV=cmon)(ACT=accept)))
    (PARAMETER_LIST=
      (MAX_GATEWAY_PROCESSES=8)
      (MIN_GATEWAY_PROCESSSES=3)))

Example 10-1 shows the following rules:

  • In the first rule in the example, the following parameters are set:

    • SRC=192.0.2.32/24 is for client connections. It designates the IP address of the client, or source.

    • DST=sales-server designates the destination host name. The ACT parameter specifies the action, that is, accept, reject, or drop. The ACTION_LIST parameter sets attributes for a connection if it is accepted, enabling you to override default parameter settings on a connection-by-connection basis.

  • In the second rule, the following parameters are set:

    • SRC=192.0.2.32 and DST=proxysvr represent the same server, indicating that Oracle Connection Manager and CMCTL must reside on the same computer.

    See Also:

    "Enabling Access Control"

Table 10-1 describes the rule-level parameters in the cman.ora file.

Table 10-1 Rule-Level Parameters in cman.ora File

Parameter Description

SRC

The source host name or IP address of the client. The IP address can be a subnet, such as 192.0.2.62/24.

DST

The destination host name or IP address of the database server. The IP address can be a subnet, such as 192.0.2.62/24.

SRV

The service name of the Oracle database obtained from the SERVICE_NAMES parameter in the initialization parameter file (init.ora).

The service name is given by the client as part of the connect descriptor when connecting to the listener. This service name is compared to the service name specified in the rule list.

ACT

To accept, reject, or drop incoming requests based on the preceding three parameters.

You can define multiple rules in the RULE_LIST. The action (ACT) in the first matched RULE is applied to the connection request. If no rules are defined, then all connections are rejected.

In the following example, client computer client1-pc is denied access to the service sales.us.example.com, but client 192.0.2.45 is granted access to the service db1. 

(RULE_LIST=
  (RULE=(SRC=client1-pc)(DST=sales-server)(SRV=sales.us.example.com)(ACT=reject))
  (RULE=(SRC=192.0.2.45)(DST=192.0.2.200)(SRV=db1)(ACT=accept)))

See Also:

Oracle Database Net Services Reference for additional information about Oracle Connection Manager parameters

10.2 How to Configure Oracle Connection Manager

In order to configure Oracle Connection Manager you must configure the proxy server, database, and clients. The following tasks describe the general procedure:

Task 1   Configure the cman.ora file on the Oracle Connection Manager computer.

The cman.ora file specifies the listening endpoint for the server, access control rules, and Oracle Connection Manager performance parameters.

"Configuring the cman.ora file for the Oracle Connection Manager Host" explains how to perform this task.

Task 2   Configure the clients with the protocol address of the Oracle Connection Manager listener.

"Configuring Clients for Oracle Connection Manager" explains how to perform this task.

Task 3   Configure the database server for session multiplexing. This task is optional.

"Configuring the Oracle Database Server for Oracle Connection Manager" explains how to perform this task.

Task 4   Configure the cman.ora File to Set Up Oracle Database Cloud Traffic Manager

"Configuring Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode" explains how to perform this task.

10.2.1 Configuring the cman.ora file for the Oracle Connection Manager Host

You make changes to the cman.ora file manually. The following procedure describes how to set parameters in the cman.ora file:

  1. Navigate to the cman.ora file in the ORACLE_HOME/network/admin directory.

  2. Open the cman.ora file with a text editor.

  3. Configure the listening endpoint (ADDRESS).

    The listening endpoint specifies the protocol address for the Oracle Connection Manager listener. CMON, the Oracle Connection Manager monitoring process, uses this address to register information about gateway processes with the listener. The database uses the address to register service information at the Oracle Connection Manager node.

    The Oracle Connection Manager listener always listens on the TCP/IP protocol. 

    (ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=tcp)(HOST=proxysvr)(PORT=1521))

    Note:

    Oracle Connection Manager can connect to the database using protocols such as TCP/IP (version 4 and version 6). Starting with Oracle Database 12c release 2 (12.2), the TCPS protocol is also supported

  4. Configure the access control rule list (RULE_LIST).

    The access control rule list specifies which connections are accepted, rejected, or dropped by the listener.

  5. Configure the parameter list (PARAMETER_LIST).

    The parameter list sets attributes for an Oracle Connection Manager. Parameters take the following forms:

    • If global, then the parameter applies to all Oracle Connection Manager connections unless a rule-level parameter overrides it. To change a global parameter default setting, enter it into the PARAMETER_LIST with an allowable value.

    • If a rule-level parameter is enabled in the ACTION_LIST section of the RULE_LIST, then it applies only to connections specified by the rule. It overrides its global counterpart.

10.2.1.1 Configure Secure Sockets Layer on the Oracle Connection Manager (CMAN)

Step 1: Confirm that a CMAN wallet has been created and that it has a certificate.

Before proceeding to the next step, confirm that a wallet has been created and that it has a certificate. Perform the following steps:

  1. Start Oracle Wallet Manager.

    • On UNIX: Enter the following command from $ORACLE_HOME/bin:

      owm

    • On Windows: Select Start, go to Programs, click Oracle-HOME_NAME, select Integrated Management Tools, and then click Wallet Manager.

  2. From the Wallet menu, select Open.

    The wallet should contain a certificate with a Ready status and auto-login turned on. If auto-login is not on, then select it from the Wallet menu and save the wallet again. This turns auto-login on.

Step 2: Create a Listening Endpoint that uses TCP/IP with SSL (TCPS) and specify the CMAN wallet location on the CMAN side in cman.ora.

The following example shows cman.ora with TCPS protocol: 

CMAN_1=
	(CONFIGURATION=
    		(ADDRESS_LIST=
		      (ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=tcps)(HOST=proxysvr)(PORT=1522))
		      (ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=tcp)(HOST=proxysvr)(PORT=1523))
		)
		(RULE_LIST=
		      (RULE=(SRC=*)(DST=*)(SRV=*)(ACT=accept))
		)
    		(PARAMETER_LIST=
		      (MAX_GATEWAY_PROCESSES=8)
		      (MIN_GATEWAY_PROCESSSES=3)
    		)
	 )
wallet_location = 
	(SOURCE=
		(METHOD=File)
		(METHOD_DATA=
			(DIRECTORY=wallet_location)
	  	)
	)
10.2.1.2 Enabling Access Control

Use the RULE_LIST parameter to control client access to designated database servers in a TCP/IP environment. By entering filtering rules under this parameter, you can allow or restrict specific clients access to a database server.

The following procedure describes how to configure access control:

  1. Open the cman.ora file with a text editor.

  2. Update the RULE_LIST parameter using the following format: 

           (RULE_LIST=
        (RULE=(SRC=source_host) 
              (DST=destination_host) 
              (SRV=service) 
              (ACT=accept | reject | drop)))

    See Also:

    Table 10-1

10.2.2 Configuring Clients for Oracle Connection Manager

To route clients to the database server through Oracle Connection Manager, configure the tnsnames.ora file with a connect descriptor that specifies the protocol address of Oracle Connection Manager. This address enables clients to connect to the Oracle Connection Manager computer. The connect descriptor looks similar to the following: 

sales=
  (DESCRIPTION=
    (ADDRESS=
      (PROTOCOL=tcp)
      (HOST=cman-pc)
      (PORT=1521))
    (CONNECT_DATA=
      (SERVICE_NAME=example.com)))

The following procedure describes how to configure a protocol address for Oracle Connection Manager:

  1. Start Oracle Net Manager.

    See Also:

    "Using Oracle Net Manager to Configure Oracle Net Services"

  2. In the navigator pane, select Service Naming from Directory or Local menus.

  3. Click the plus sign (+) on the toolbar, or select Create from the Edit menu.

    The Welcome page of the Net Service Name wizard appears.

  4. Enter a name in the Net Service Name field.

  5. Click Next.

    The Protocol page appears.

  6. Select the TCP/IP protocol for Oracle Connection Manager.

  7. Click Next.

    The Protocol Settings page appears.

  8. Specify the Oracle Connection Manager port and protocol. The default port number for Oracle Connection Manager is 1521, and the protocol is TCP/IP.

    See Also:

    Oracle Database Net Services Reference for protocol parameter settings

  9. Click Next.

    The Service page appears.

  10. Enter a service name in the Service Name field, and then select the connection type.

    See Also:

    "About Connect Descriptors" for additional information about setting the service name string

  11. Click Next.

    Note:

    Do not click Test, because a connection cannot be tested at this point.

  12. Click Finish to save your configuration and close the Net Service Name wizard.

    The new network service name and the Oracle Connection Manager protocol address is added to the Service Naming folder.

10.2.3 Configuring the Oracle Database Server for Oracle Connection Manager

Configuring the database server involves registering database information remotely with Oracle Connection Manager and, optionally, configuring the server for multiplexing.

This section contains the following topics:

10.2.3.1 Configuring Service Registration for Use with Oracle Connection Manager

To enable the database server to communicate with Oracle Connection Manager, the tnsnames.ora file must include the service name entry, and the initialization parameter file (init.ora) must contain a descriptor that specifies the listening address of Oracle Connection Manager. The following procedure describes how to configure service registration:

  1. Resolve the Oracle Connection Manager alias to a service name entry in the tnsnames.ora file as follows: 

    cman_listener_address =
  (DESCRIPTION=
    (ADDRESS_LIST=
      (ADDRESS=(PROTOCL=tcp) (HOST=proxy_server_name)( PORT=1521))))

    For example, the alias listener_cman would be resolved to the following entry in the tnsnames.ora file: 

    listener_cman=
 (DESCRIPTION=
  (ADDRESS_LIST=
   (ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=tcp)(HOST=proxyserver1)(PORT=1521))))

  2. Specify an alias for Oracle Connection Manager in the init.ora file as follows. This alias is the one specified in the tnsnames.ora file in step 1. 

    REMOTE_LISTENER=cman_listener_address

    The alias must be specified because this address is TCP, port 1521 but it is not the default local listening address of TCP, port 1521 of the database server.

    For example, the alias for the Oracle Connection Manager listener running on host, proxyserver1, specified in step 1, might look like the following in the init.ora file: 

    REMOTE_LISTENER=listener_cman

  3. Configure REGISTRATION_INVITED_NODES in cman.ora if the database resides on a remote node. For example:

    (registration_invited_nodes=sales.us.example.com,10.245.129.60)

  4. After the initialization parameter file is configured with the alias of Oracle Connection Manager, the Listener Registration (LREG) process can register database information with the Oracle Connection Manager listener. Use the following command to register the change: 

    SQL> ALTER SYSTEM REGISTER

See Also:

"Registering Information with a Remote Listener"

10.2.3.2 Enabling Session Multiplexing for Oracle Connection Manager

To enable Oracle Connection Manager to take advantage of session multiplexing, set the DISPATCHERS parameter in the initialization parameter file (init.ora) with the attributes PROTOCOL and MULTIPLEX, similar to the following: 

DISPATCHERS="(PROTOCOL=tcp)(MULTIPLEX=on)"

Table 10-2 lists the parameters to set different levels of multiplexing.

Table 10-2 Session Multiplexing Parameters

Attribute Description

PROTOCOL

The network protocol for which the dispatcher generates a listening endpoint.

MULTIPLEX

This parameter is used to enable session multiplexing, as follows:

  • If 1, on, yes, true, or both is specified, then multiplexing is enabled for both incoming and outgoing network sessions.

  • If in is specified, then multiplexing is enabled for incoming network sessions from the client.

  • If out is specified, then multiplexing is enabled for outgoing network sessions.

  • If 0, off, no, or false is specified, then multiplexing is disabled for both incoming and outgoing network sessions.

See Also:

10.2.4 Configuring Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode

Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode is a proxy that is placed between the database clients and the database instances.

This section contains the following topics:
10.2.4.1 Configuring cman.ora File for Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode

TDM = YES must be set in the cman.ora file to set up Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode.

Sample cman.ora configuration for Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode 
CMAN_1=
	(CONFIGURATION=
    		(ADDRESS_LIST=
		      (ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=tcp)(HOST=TDMHOST)(PORT=1522))
		)
		(RULE_LIST=
		      (RULE=(SRC=*)(DST=*)(SRV=*)(ACT=accept))
		)
    		(PARAMETER_LIST=
		      (TDM=YES)
		      (TDM_THREADING_MODE=DEDICATED)
		      (MAX_GATEWAY_PROCESSES=8)
		      (MIN_GATEWAY_PROCESSSES=3)
    		)
	 )
wallet_location = 
	(SOURCE=
		(METHOD=File)
		(METHOD_DATA=
			(DIRECTORY=wallet_location)
	  	)
	)
SQLNET.WALLET_OVERRIDE = TRUE
10.2.4.2 Configuring a Wallet for Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode Proxy Authentication

Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode connects to the databases using the wallet that must be configured with cman.ora file. This wallet has the user name and the password information for the tdm user used by Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode for proxy authentication. This tdm user must exist on all the databases that the Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode connects to.

See Also:

Oracle Database Enterprise User Security Administrator's Guide

The following setting causes all outbound connections from Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode to use the credentials in the wallet at the specified location for proxy authentication:

WALLET_LOCATION =
  				(SOURCE =
    					(METHOD = FILE)
    					(METHOD_DATA =
  						(DIRECTORY = wallet_location)
  						)
 					)
	    SQLNET.WALLET_OVERRIDE = TRUE

The wallet must be configured for each service. If a new service is added, then you must supply the credentials for the new service using the same wallet.

Note:

Whenever a new service is added and the credentials for the new service are added to the wallet, the Oracle Cloud Traffic Manager should be restarted for the changes to take effect.
10.2.4.2.1 Enabling Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode to Use the External Password Store

Step 1: Create a wallet on the Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode by using the following syntax at the command line:

mkstore -wrl wallet_location -create

wallet_location is the path to the directory where you want to create and store the wallet. This command creates an Oracle wallet with the autologin feature enabled at the specified location. The autologin feature enables the Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode to access the wallet contents without supplying a password.

Step 2: Create database connection credentials in the wallet by using the following syntax at the command line:

mkstore -wrl wallet_location -createCredential db_service_name username password

wallet_location is the path to the directory where you created the wallet in Step 1. The db_service_name is the service name used by the application in its connect string while connecting to Oracle Connection Manager. The username and password are the tdm user name and password.

Repeat this step for each database service that must be accessed by using Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode.

Note:

  • The same tdm user can be used across all services for a given database. However, if required, a different tdm user can also be associated for each service.

  • For pluggable database (PDB) services, there are two choices for setting up the tdm user:

    Common tdm user: tdm user can be a common user, in which case Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode uses a single set of credentials for proxy authenticating users from different PDBs in a multitenant container database (CDB).

    Per PDB tdm user: tdm user can be a PDB–specific user, in which case Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode uses PDB–specific proxy user for proxy authenticating users in a specific PDB.

  • For TCP/IP with SSL (TCPS) configuration, Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode wallet is already created. So, skip Step 1 and specify wallet_location in mkstore as the same location used for TCPS configuration.

10.2.4.3 Configuring Databases for Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode Proxy Authentication

Every database to which an application connects through Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode must have a user, for example, tdm. Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode uses proxy authentication and connects to the database as the tdm user. All the users that must connect through Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode must be granted CONNECT THROUGH tdm privilege as follows: 

ALTER user SCOTT GRANT CONNECT THROUGH tdm
10.2.4.4 Configuring Service Registration with Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode
10.2.4.5 Configuring Proxy Resident Connection Pool in Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode

Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode 18.1 supports Proxy Resident Connection Pooling (PRCP). PRCP provides connection services for a larger number of client connections that are routed by using a connection pool comprising of a fewer number of server connections to target databases. PRCP can reduce connection load (connection memory usage) on the database tier and also perform runtime load balancing (RLB) to provide better performance. This can help reduce connection load on the database.

The proxy resident connection pool is configured by specifying the following set of parameters in the oraaccess.xml configuration file.

  • <session_pool> – Sets up session pool parameters.

  • <enable> –true or false to make the session pool configuration effective. It is a must have parameter that means if the <session_pool> is configured, then <enable> must be configured.

  • <min_size> — Minimum number of connections in the pool. The default value is 0. Since Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode is a heterogeneous pool scenario, so all other values are ignored.

  • <max_size> — Maximum number of connections in the pool. There is no default parameter as it is a must have parameter. It means that if the <session_pool> is configured, then <max_size> must be configured.

  • <increment> — Amount of increase in the number of connections in the pool as the pool expands. The default value is 1.

  • <inactivity_timeout> — Maximum time in seconds for which a connection stays idle in the pool, after which it is terminated. The default value is0. It means that there is no limit.

  • <max_use_session> — Maximum number of times a connection can be taken and released to the pool. The default value is 0. It means that there is no limit.

  • <max_life_time_session> — Time, in seconds, to live for a connection in the pool. The default value is 0. It means that there is no limit.

Using the oraaccess.xml file allows you to configure a proxy resident connection pool for each needed connection service. The following example shows two groups of connection parameters associated with its respective config alias, the sales_config and the hr_config, where each connection string that the application uses is mapped with its respective config alias, thus providing two proxy resident connection pools.
<oraaccess xmlns="http://xmlns.oracle.com/oci/oraaccess"
            xmlns:oci="http://xmlns.oracle.com/oci/oraaccess"
            schemaLocation="http://xmlns.oracle.com/oci/oraaccess
            http://xmlns.oracle.com/oci/oraaccess.xsd">
  <default_parameters>
  </default_parameters>
    <!-- 
         Create configuration descriptions, which are  
         groups of connection parameters associated with
         a config_alias. 
    --> 
  <config_descriptions>
    <config_description>
      <config_alias> sales_config </config_alias> 
      <parameters>
         <session_pool>
            <enable>true</enable>
            <min_size> 10 </min_size>
            <max_size> 100 </max_size>
            <increment> 5 </increment>
         </session_pool>
      </parameters>
    </config_description>
    <config_description>
      <config_alias> hr_config </config_alias> 
      <parameters>
         <session_pool>
           <enable>true</enable>       
          <max_size> 10 </max_size>
         </session_pool>
      </parameters>
    </config_description>
  </config_descriptions>
  <!--   
         Now map the connection string used by the application 
         with a config_alias.  
  --> 
  <connection_configs>
    <connection_config>
      <connection_string>sales.us.example.com</connection_string> 
      <config_alias>sales_config</config_alias> 
    </connection_config>
    <connection_config>
      <connection_string>hr.us.example.com</connection_string> 
      <config_alias>hr_config</config_alias> 
    </connection_config>
  </connection_configs>
</oraaccess>

See Also:

Overview of Oracle CMAN configuration file in Oracle Database Net Services Reference

10.2.4.6 Configuring Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode for Unplanned Events

Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode implicitly subscribes to Fast Application Notification (FAN) events. For this events must be enabled in oraaccess.xml.

Use DBMS_SERVICE or SRVCTL (for an Oracle RAC database) to specify COMMIT_OUTCOME for this specific service.

See Also:

10.2.4.7 Configuring Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode for Planned Down Events

Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode implicitly subscribes to Fast Application Notification (FAN) events. For this events must be enabled in oraaccess.xml.

For planned down events, use DBMS_SERVICE or SRVCTL to configure the service and set failover_mode to select, commit_outcome to TRUE, and failover_restore to LEVEL1.

See Also:

10.2.4.8 Configuring Secure Sockets Layer on Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode

Step 1: Confirm that an Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode wallet has been created and that it has a certificate.

Before proceeding to the next step, confirm that a wallet has been created and that it has a certificate. Perform the following steps:

  1. Start Oracle Wallet Manager.

    • On UNIX: Enter the following command from $ORACLE_HOME/bin:

      owm

    • On Windows: Select Start, go to Programs, click Oracle-HOME_NAME, select Integrated Management Tools, and then click Wallet Manager.

  2. From the Wallet menu, select Open.

    The wallet should contain a certificate with a Ready status and auto-login turned on. If auto-login is not on, then select it from the Wallet menu and save the wallet again. This turns auto-login on.

Step 2: Create a Listening Endpoint that uses TCP/IP with SSL (TCPS) and specify the Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode wallet location on the CMAN side in cman.ora.

The following example showscman.ora with TCPS protocol: 

CMAN_1=
	(CONFIGURATION=
    		(ADDRESS_LIST=
		      (ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=tcps)(HOST=proxysvr)(PORT=1522))
		      (ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=tcp)(HOST=proxysvr)(PORT=1523))
		)
		(RULE_LIST=
		      (RULE=(SRC=*)(DST=*)(SRV=*)(ACT=accept))
		)
    		(PARAMETER_LIST=
		      (MAX_GATEWAY_PROCESSES=8)
		      (MIN_GATEWAY_PROCESSSES=3)
    		)
	 )
wallet_location = 
	(SOURCE=
		(METHOD=File)
		(METHOD_DATA=
			(DIRECTORY=wallet_location)
	  	)
	)
SQLNET.WALLET_OVERRIDE = TRUE
10.2.4.9 Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode Restrictions

The following functionality is not supported with Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode Restrictions for all drivers:

  • Distributed Transactions

  • Advanced Queuing (AQ)

  • Database Startup or Database Shutdown calls

  • Sharding

  • XML

  • SQL Translation

  • Proxy Authentication and SSL External Authentication (such as DN)

  • Object REF

  • Session switching

  • OCIObject* calls for navigational access

  • OCIPickerImage* calls

  • OCIAnyData* calls

  • OCIDirPath* calls

  • OCISubscription* calls

  • OCILCR*, OCIXStream* calls

  • OCIStmtExecute:

    • Scrollable Cursor

    • Implicit Results

  • Change Notification (CQN)

  • Client Result Cache

  • OCI_MIGRATE mode

  • DRCP: Multi-property Tag and PLSQL callback

  • Application Continuity

  • OCIConnectionPool

  • Authentication as SYSDBA, SYSOPER etc

  • Real Application Security (only in Java)

  • Datatypes

    • PL/SQL Indexed Table Binds

  • Bulk Copy (ODP.Net only)

  • Self-Tuning (ODP.Net only)

  • ASO encryption and supported algorithms (ASO only)

10.3 Using Oracle Connection Manager as a Bridge for IPv4 and IPv6

In some database connection environments, a client and database may use different versions of the IP protocol so that complete connectivity does not exist. In this case at least two hops in the connection use different versions of the IP protocol. For example, a request passes from an IPv4 source to an IPv6 destination, from an IPv6 source to an IPv4 destination, or from IPv6 to IPv6 through an IPv4 network.

You can use Oracle Connection Manager as a network bridge between IPv4 and IPv6. To serve as a bridge, Oracle Connection Manager must run on a dual-stack host configured with at least one IPv4 interface and at least one IPv6 interface.

Use the Oracle Connection Manager filtering feature to filter based on an IPv6 address. You can base rules on complete or partial IP addresses. Figure 10-1 shows the format of an IPv6 address.

Figure 10-1 IPv6 Address Format

Description of Figure 10-1 follows
Description of "Figure 10-1 IPv6 Address Format"

The numbers at the top of the diagram indicate the number of bits in the address. Each hexadecimal character in an IPv6 address represents 4 bits. Bits 4-16 are the Top-Level Aggregation Identifier (TLA ID) portion of the address. Bits 25-49 are the Next-Level Aggregation Identifiers (NLA ID).

For example, in the address 2001:0db8::203:BAFF:FE0F:C74B, the binary representation of the first four hexademical characters (2001) is as follows: 

0010000000000001

Thus, the first 3 bits in the address are 001. The TLA ID portion of the address is 0000000000001.

The following procedure describes how to create a rules filter for IPv6 address:

  1. Navigate to the cman.ora file located in the ORACLE_HOME/network/admin directory.

  2. Open the cman.ora file with a text editor.

  3. Create a RULE in the RULE_LIST based on IPv6 address format.

    For example, assume that the source host is an IPv6-only host with address 2001:0db8::203:BAFF:FE0F:C74B, whereas the destination is an IPv4-only host named SALESL1593. You configure Oracle Connection Manager as an IPv6-to-IPv4 bridge by creating one of the following rules:

    Type of Rule Description Example

    Filter based on subnet ID

    Filtering is based on the 64 bits up to and including the subnet ID

    		 
    (RULE = (SRC = 2001:0db8::203:BAFF:FE0F:C74B/64)
  (DST = SALESL1593)
  (SRV = SALES)
  (ACT = ACCEPT)
  (ACTION_LIST = (AUT=ON)(MOCT=10)(MIT=30)(CONN_STATE=YES))
)

    Filter based on NLA ID

    Filtering is based on the 48 bits up to and including the NLA ID

    		 
    (RULE = (SRC = 2001:0db8::203:BAFF:FE0F:C74B/48)
  (DST = SALESL1593)
  (SRV = SALES)
  (ACT = ACCEPT)
  (ACTION_LIST = (AUT=ON)(MOCT=10)(MIT=30)(CONN_STATE=YES))
)

    Filter based on TLA ID

    Filtering is based on the 16 bits up to and including the TLA ID

    		 
    (RULE = (SRC = 2001:0db8::203:BAFF:FE0F:C74B/16)
  (DST = SALESL1593)
  (SRV = SALES)
  (ACT = ACCEPT)
  (ACTION_LIST = (AUT=ON)(MOCT=10)(MIT=30)(CONN_STATE=YES))
)

    Filter based on number of bits

    Filtering is based on the first 60 bits of the address

    		 
    (RULE = (SRC = 2001:0db8::203:BAFF:FE0F:C74B/60)
  (DST = SALESL1593)
  (SRV = SALES)
  (ACT = ACCEPT)
  (ACTION_LIST = (AUT=ON)(MOCT=10)(MIT=30)(CONN_STATE=YES))
)

See Also:

10.4 Using the Oracle Connection Manager Control Utility to Administer Oracle Connection Manager

The Oracle Connection Manager Control utility enables you to administer Oracle Connection Manager. When you issue commands from the operating system, the basic syntax for this utility is as follows: 

cmctl [command] [argument1 . . . argumentN] [-c instance_name]

In the preceding command, -c specifies the Oracle Connection Manager instance. You are prompted for the password if one has been set.

Caution:

There is an option to specify the password on the command line. However, this exposes the password on the screen, and is a potential security risk. Oracle recommends not using the password option (-p) on the command line.

For example, the following command starts the listener, Connection Manager Administration (CMADMIN), and gateway processes for an instance named cman1: 

cmctl STARTUP -c cman1

You can also issue Oracle Connection Manager utility commands at the CMCTL prompt. To obtain the prompt, enter cmctl with no arguments at the operating system command line. The utility may prompt for a password if Oracle Connection Manager was installed with secure installation option. When you run CMCTL, the utility is started, and you can enter the necessary commands from the CMCTL prompt. The following is an example of the CMCTL prompt: 

cmctl
CMCTL> STARTUP

Note:

Before issuing the STARTUP command, do the following:

  • Create the cman.ora file. A sample file is located in the ORACLE_HOME/network/admin/samples directory after installation of Oracle Connection Manager.

  • Run the ADMINISTER command to choose an instance to start.

See Also:

10.5 About Using Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode

Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode is a proxy that is placed between supported database clients and database instances.

A current database OCI client or supported older version OCI client (Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (11.2) and later) can connect to Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode. Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode provides improved high availability (HA) (planned and unplanned), connection multiplexing support, and load balancing. This feature also provides an inband client notification mechanism to deliver planned shutdown for Oracle Connection Manager (CMAN) down and service down events to the OCI client. Additional CMAN parameters must be specified in the cman.ora configuration file to configure Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode.

To configure CMAN to act as an Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode, new parameters such as tdm and tdm_threading_model must be added in the cman.ora configuration file. Oracle Connection Manager (CMAN) is the standard Oracle Net proxy for both Oracle RAC and non-RAC databases.

The databases that Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode connects to must have a user, for example,tdm with the CONNECT THROUGH privilege granted to connect as application users. Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode uses proxy authentication and connects as this user.

See Also:

Oracle Database Net Services Reference for the existing parameters in the cman.ora file that support Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode.

Oracle Database Security Guide for more information about CONNECT THROUGH.

In this release, Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode furnishes support for:

  • Transparent performance enhancements and connection multiplexing

  • Zero Application Downtime 

    • Planned database maintenance or PDB relocation 

    • Unplanned database outages for read-mostly workloads  

  • High Availability of Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode, this means no single point of failure

  • Security and Isolation

Modes of Operation

  • Pooled Connection mode

    This includes any application using the following database client releases:

    • OCI and Open Source Drivers (11.2.0.4 and later)

    • JDBC (12.1 and later)

    • ODP.NET (12.2 and later) 

    In addition, applications must be Database Resident Connection Pool (DRCP) aware. This means specifying (SERVER=POOLED) in the application's connect string.

  • Non-pooled Connection (or Dedicated) mode

    This includes any application using database client releases 11.2.0.4 and later. In this mode, some capabilities such as connection multiplexing are not available. 

Transparent Performance Enhancements and Session Multiplexing

  • Statement caching, rows prefetching and Result set caching are auto-enabled for all mode of operations.

  • Database session multiplexing (pooled mode only) using the proxy resident connection pool (PRCP, a proxy mode of DRCP). Applications get transparent connect-time load balancing and run-time load balancing between TDM and Database.

  • Multiple Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode instances: applications get increased scalability through client-side connect time load balancing or load balancer (BigIP, NGINX, others)

Zero Application Downtime - Planned Database Maintenance or PDB Relocation

  • Pooled mode

    Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode responds to ONS events for planned outages and re-directs work. The connections are drained from the pool on Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode when the request completes.

    Service relocation support is available for database release 11.2.0.4 and later.

    PDB Relocation: Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode responds to in-band notifications when a PDB is relocated, even when ONS is not configured (18.1 and later for server only) 

  • Non-pooled or Dedicated mode

    No request boundary information is received from the client. Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode supports planned outage for many applications (as long as only simple session state and cursor state need to be preserved across the request or transaction boundaries). This involves the following:

    • Stop Service or PDB at Transaction Boundary or Leverage Oracle Database 18c  “Continuous Application Availability” to stop service at request boundary.

    • Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode leverages “TAF Failover Restore” to reconnect and restore simple states.

Unplanned Database Outages

For both pooled and non-pooled (dedicated) modes, Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode supports unplanned outage for read–mostly applications by leveraging “TAF Failover Restore” to restore simple session state or cursor state and replay SELECT statements and first DML statement.

Security and Isolation

Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode provides:

  • Database Proxy supporting TCP/TCPS and protocol conversion

  • Firewall based on IP address, Service name and SSL/TLS wallets

  • Tenant isolation in a multitenant environment

  • Protection against denial-of-service and fuzzing attacks 

  • Secure tunneling of database traffic across on-premises database and Oracle Cloud

High Availability of Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode

This involves:

  • Multiple instances of Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode using Load Balancer or client– side load balancing or failover in connect string

  • Rolling upgrade of Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode instances

  • Closure of existing connections from client to Oracle Connection Manager in Traffic Director Mode for planned outages

  • In-band notifications to Oracle Database release 18c and later clients. For earlier release clients, notifications are sent with the response of the current request.

10.6 Oracle Connection Manager Enhancements

Oracle Connection Manager proxies and screens request for Oracle Database Server. Starting with Oracle Database 12c release 2 (12.2), Oracle Connection Manager shows the following enhancements:

  • It provides a more secure access to the server by supporting SSL protocol. With this support, the database client can communicate to the server through Oracle Connection Manager over TCPS protocol. You can also configure the Oracle Connection Manager to have SSL connection on one side and non-SSL connection on the other side. This also acts as a secure way to hide the internal database servers for the outside clients connecting from the internet.

    Multiplexing: If the gateway already has the TCPS connection to the endpoint requested by the database client, then it multiplexes the new connect request on the same connection.

  • It can listen on multiple protocol addresses. With multiple listening endpoints, Oracle Connection Manager is now able to support both TCP and TCPS at the same time. The existing single protocol address configuration is still supported. For example:
    CMAN_ALIAS=
 (configuration=
 (address_list=
 (address=(protocol=TCP)(host=a.b.c.d)(port=12522))
 (address=(protocol=TCPS)(host=a.b.c.d)(port=12523))
)
..
)

  • It has the addition of network data compression facility to improve network throughput and make data transfer faster between the Oracle Database Client and the Oracle Database Server. This is done in different ways according to the database client, database server, and the next hop compression ability. Compression is enabled between any two nodes if it is negotiated by them

    If more than two consecutive nodes support and negotiate compression, such case is handled in a way that the intermediate node just relays the compressed data to the next node without performing decompression.

    Compression is supported between the Oracle Connection Manager and the server, even if the Oracle Database Client is earlier than the Oracle Database 12c release and cannot support compression.

  • It supports up to 2 MB SDU enabling the Oracle Database Client and the Oracle Database Server to negotiate higher SDU when establishing connection through Oracle Connection Manager.

  • Starting with this release, valid node checking for registration is enabled by default in Oracle Connection Manager. By default, only the databases on local node are allowed to register with Oracle Connection Manager. The databases on remote node can be permitted or denied to register with Oracle Connection Manager through the use of parameters REGISTRATION_INVITED_NODES and REGISTRATION_EXCLUDED_NODES. These parameters are documented in Oracle Database Net Services Reference

    .