Oracle Server Connection

[Former Member]

Hello,

I have to describe the connection types and it drivers used with Crystal Reports.

What kind of connection is 'Oracle Server' and witch driver does it use?

Witch Database Versions are supported using this with Crystal reports 2008 (SP4)

Thanks in advance.

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Thank you very much Don,

is it correct to say that Crystal Reports 'Oracle Server' uses directly (without any other interface) the installed Oracle Client?

Is it better to use the 'Oracle Server' connection than the OLE DB connection?

I find out that 'Oracle Server' supports the datatype timestamp and synonyme tables in opposite to OLE DB.

Best regards

Otto

[former_member11696 · Accepted solution]

Hi Otto,

Correct, CR's Oracle Server connects directly to the Oracle Client.

As for which one to use I always prefer to hit the client directly, the reason being it doesn't put another "Connection layer" on top of the client which they need to connect through anyways.

However, depending on your use and how and what you are doing OLE DB or ODBC can be easier to configure and use and deploy. It all depends on what you are comfortable with using...

Some have problems and some don't, some have new problems with upgrade/updates and some don't....

What ever works for you is the best to use obviously...

Thanks again

Don

[Former Member]

Thanks Don,

now I understand the correlation between Crystal Reports 'Oracle Server' and the Oracle Client Driver installation.

Bye

[former_member11696]

Hi Otto,

See the [platforms PDF|http://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/boc/support?rid=/webcontent/uuid/e01d4e05-6ea5-2c10-1bb6-a8904ca76411] [original link is broken]; for info on the versions of Oracle.

CR can use ODBC, OLE DB and the Native "Oracle Server" driver in the Designer.

DataDirects driver packages are fully supported and well and the Oracle Native Client as listed in the Platforms PDF file.

Do not use Microsoft's Oracle ODBC driver installed with MDAC, it only supports Oracle 7, there is a kbase on MS's site that explains this.

Don