Hi,
We tend to use oracle client installation on servers. When we do this we can then use utilities such as tnsping to test database connectivity to remote databases.
Have read about oracle instant client as a lightweight option just needing extracting and no install.
My understanding is this just needs a TNS_ADMIN environment variable pointing to location of tnsnames.ora and sqlnet.ora files set up along with install folder of instant client in PATH to communicate with remote oracle databases
We are looking to install instant client or oracle client on a windows 2012 server running iis to connect to remote oracle 10g r2 and 11.2.0.3 databases which will collect data fro php pages.
I have a couple of questions
1) If opt fro instant client how can we quickly check connectivity to remote oracle databases - believe instant client doesn't have tnsping utility?
2) Which is better insatnt client or oracle client with regards performance/security/ease of use/configuration etc. with regards purpose we wish to use it for?
Thanks