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Connor McDonald

Thanks for the question, John.

Asked: June 07, 2017 - 3:00 pm UTC

Last updated: June 08, 2017 - 2:36 am UTC

Version: 12c

Viewed 1000+ times

You Asked

Can an Oracle 32 bit client securely communicate with and Oracle 64 bit server via SQLNET encryption? I cannot find this scenario specifically documented in the 12c documentation. Our DBA is telling us that this will not work. Any help guidance you can offer would be appreciated. Thank you.
John

and Connor said...

Rather than rely on me, the docs or anything else, why not get a definitive answer for your server/configuration.

server side sqlnet.ora

SQLNET.ENCRYPTION_SERVER = REQUIRED
along with an appropriate encryption type.

and then attempt client side connections both with and without encryption. Then you can make an informed assessment

client without encryption PASS, client with encryption PASS
=> speak to Support

client without encryption FAIL, client with encryption FAIL
=> speak to Support

client without encryption FAIL, client with encryption PASS
=> you can be confident* encryption is working

*And if you really wanted to test it out, you can look at tools like Wireshark, tcpdump or sqlnet tracing to examine the actual packets.



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Comments

A reader, June 08, 2017 - 3:45 am UTC

Encryption and checksum algorithms are independent of operating system versions, as is the TNS network protocol used by Oracle. If they weren't, secure communication on the Internet would be impossible.

By all means test, and also refer to Oracle's client/server compatibility matrix here: https://support.oracle.com/MMOS/faces/ui/km/kmDocumentDisplay.jspx?kmDocId=207303.1&idx=0&totalResultsDisplayed=10

Note that Oracle doesn't differentiate between 32-bit and 64-bit client and servers in their matrix: "The matrix ... also applies between different platforms and between 32/64 bit releases of Oracle client / server except where any Oracle platform desupport notice indicates otherwise."
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