Installing SQL Developer for Remote Access to Oracle 21c
(Fall 2024 configuration)

You can install SQL-Developer on your desktop at home or on your laptop, and access the Oracle 21c server, without having to use client access tools in the labs.  The procedure is as follows (Mac instructions are at the bottom of the page):

*** You may need to use campus supported VPN Global Protect for this ***
Instructions for installing and using Global Protect

1.  Download SQL-Developer to your computer

  • Download the SQL Developer software from the Oracle web site: https://www.oracle.com/tools/downloads/sqldev-downloads.html).  Keep in mind that Oracle keeps reconfiguring their website and this URL is not stable.
  • You may need to create an account on Oracle to download the software. Just make up a dummy account. Do not use your Panther credentials or your Oracle/LSB credentials – they will not work, and you will be exposing them to Oracle.
  • Oracle now releases products quarterly. The current version is 23.1.1 (as the time of this page creation – 10/14/2024).
  • Use the version with the JDK11 bundled in it (approx 437 MB), even if you have Java on your computer.
  • Save it to a convenient location on your computer (e.g. C:\SQLDeveloper).

2.  Install the software

  • Unzip the files to the current folder.
  • See instructions on the Oracle website for how to proceed.  These are not included here as they tend to change.
  • You may need to create a shortcut on the desktop manually.  Ditto for including it in the list of All apps.

3.  Configure the software

    •  Start the program by clicking on the program icon.SQLDevpIcon
    •  Right-click on the Connections icon in the left pane and select New Connection.
    •  Use the following parameters for the connection – may vary by version):

Connection Name: orcl
Authentication Type: Default
Username: {your panther id}  ** This needs to be in upper case for remote access **
Role: default
Password: {your Oracle/LCB password}
Save Password: {keep checked}
Connection Type: Basic
Role: default
Hostname: luboradb.ad.uwm.edu
Port: 1521
Service name: orclpdb.ad.uwm.edu

Your Oracle/LCB password is 14 characters and was distributed in the lab session.  Note that UWS policy does not permit emailing passwords.  You must use this password to access Oracle.  No other password will work.  If you use any other password, it will treat it as an unsuccessful login attempt.  After 10 unsuccessful login attempts, your Oracle account will be locked for 24 hours, and there is nothing that I can do to override this – this is an Oracle policy.

Alternatively, see the configuration screen below:

Remember that this is configured for you as a user and cannot be shared.  If you expect to run this on a shared computer, then leave your Username and Password blank.

4.  Using SQL-Developer

  • You can enter SQL statements in the Worksheet tab of the orcl pane, and either press function key F5 or use the Run Script RunScriptButton button to execute the statements.
  • Note that SQL-Developer will likely not display times by default. You will need to use the TO_DATE function in the INSERT and UPDATE statements if you need to incorporate times into your data. Likewise, you would use the TO_CHAR function in the SELECT statements to display the times. Alternatively, you can alter the session to display times.

 

Mac Installation
If you use a Mac, then the instructions are a little different. Caveat: I do not have access to a Mac, so I am unable to verify these instructions.

  • Check if your Mac is using an Intel or an M1 (or M2) processor. Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your macOS menu bar, and select About This Mac from the drop-down menu.
  • Download the Mac OSX with JDK11 included version (441MB) or the Mac ARM64 with JDK11 included version (437MB) as the case may be, from the Oracle downloads page – see above.
  • Save the SQL-Developer for OSX zip file to your Downloads folder on your computer.
  • Double-click the SQL Developer icon in the Downloads folder to unzip it.
  • You can move the software to a different folder of your choice, if needed.
  • As with any downloads from Oracle, you may need to create an account on Oracle to download the software.

Using Oracle 21c