Oracle Spatial Object Troubleshooting

The following suggestions can often help detect and resolve common Oracle database connection problems.

  • Ensure you can connect to the database with the service, username, and password using SQL*Plus.
  • Consider if you are using a tns alias (tnsnames.ora) or direct connection. The TNS Alias configuration is frequently overlooked when moving a workspace to a new system, and it's often a problem when a workspace containing a new Oracle Reader or Writer is published to an FME Flow for the first time. Check the tnsnames.ora file for an entry.
  • If using tnsnames.ora with the Oracle Instant Clients, ensure TNS_ADMIN environment variable is set and pointing to the folder containing the tnsnames.ora file.
  • If you have had older versions of the Oracle Full client software installed, make sure that your PATH variable has the current version’s Oracle folder first, before any other Oracle software, including the WebDB package.
  • Ensure that the bit version of the software being used matches the Oracle Client bit version. For example, FME 32-bit requires the Oracle 32-bit Client in the path.
  • If you're using Database Connections in a workspace, ensure the connection has been published to the new system.
  • The following environment variables should be defined:

Variable

Contents

 Platform Notes

Sample Value

ORACLE_BASE

The top level of the folder into which the Oracle client software is installed.

 All
  • Necessary only if running on a system that has a full Oracle client installed.
  • Not required for the Oracle Instant client (which is configured in the PATH environment variable).

/opt2/oracle/app/oracle

ORACLE_HOME

The Oracle product folder.

 Linux, UNIX
  • Not required for Oracle 11 and above.
  • Necessary only if running on a system that has Oracle Database installed.

/opt2/oracle/app/oracle/
product

ORACLE_SID

The system ID for the host’s database instance.

All
  • Relevant only if the database is configured with a SID and not SERVICE.

FME

LD_LIBRARY_PATH

A list of folders that will be searched for shared objects.

This list must include the FME_HOME path, as well as the lib subfolder of ORACLE_HOME.

Linux, Mac  

${LD_LIBRARY_PATH}:${FME_HOME}:${ORACLE_
HOME}/lib