Expert SQL Server™ 2005 Integration Services

10.2. Oracle

Since SSIS made its appearance, some people who would never consider using a Microsoft database are purchasing SQL Server licenses just for the SSIS functionality. Many Oracle IT customers have indicated that they want to continue to use Oracle as their source or target data, and use SSIS just as an integration platform. SSIS can help Oracle users in three ways: help migrate from Oracle, help load data into Oracle, and help synchronize data between database systems, no matter the type.

Before using SSIS to connect to Oracle, you must first install the Oracle client network components on the machine running SSIS, which can be found on your Oracle CD or online at www.oracle.com. After these components are installed, you will need to edit the tnsnames.ora file, which is typically in the c:\oracle\ora92\network\admin directory in a default installation. This file will have a set of lines for each server you want to connect to. For example, if you had a server called FullyQualifiedServerName, your entry may look like this:

MyServer =
 (DESCRIPTION =
 (ADDRESS_LIST =
 (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = 10.10.10.10)(PORT = 1521))
 )
 (CONNECT_DATA =
 (SERVICE_NAME = MyServer)
 )
 )

In SSIS, you would then use MyServer property for your server name, much like an alias in SQL Server. This file can be edited in any editing tool like Notepad, and it adds a slightly new layer of complexity for someone who's more familiar with SQL Server. Don't forget to also install the Oracle tools ...