Wiki Page: How to Remotely Monitor an Oracle Datavase via V$SYSSTAT in Silk Performance Explorer

Problem:

How can I successfully monitor a remote Oracle Database via V$SYSSTAT within Silk Performance Explorer. I am returned with NULL values and a "PDCE: 701 - Query for Ltci performance counter update failed" message for all counters.

Resolution:

For Silk Performance Explorer to monitor a remote Oracle Database via V$SYSSTAT, certain criteria needs to be met.

"System with Database Instance installed - server"

• After the installation of the Oracle Database, the Oracle Listener needs configured, this is done via the Net Configuration Assistant (ORACLE folder in Start Menu - Configuration and Migration Tools - Net Configuration Assistant).

• Once the listener has been configured, take a copy of the tnsnames.ora (C:\app\username\product\11.2.0\dbhome_1\network\admin) file

"System with Silk Performance Explorer installed - client"

• Download a 32 bit version of the latest Oracle Client, for example Oracle 11g Client, http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/database/enterprise-edition/downloads/112010-win32soft-098987.html, it is imperative that the client is 32 bit.

• After the download has been completed, proceed to go through the installation

• During the installation process, ensure that only the Oracle*Net and SQL*PLUS components are selected for installation. You can do this via selecting the "Custom" option during the install and from the available components screen select Oracle*Net and SQL*Plus from the Component Name List.

• After the Oracle Client has been installed, take a copy of the tnsnames.ora file from the database system (C:\app\username\product\11.2.0\dbhome_1\network\admin) and paste into the directory in which the Oracle Client has been installed on the client machine, ( C:\app\Username\product\11.2.0\client_1\network\admin)

• The tnsnames.ora file which has been copied to the client will now need edited. Substitute the "localhost" with the name of the database machine, i.e. HOST = localhost will now be HOST = mydbserver.domain.com

• Delete the information about the Listener from tnsnames.ora file

• The file should now be similar to below:

ORCL =
  (DESCRIPTION =
    (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = mydbserver.domain.com)(PORT = 1521))
    (CONNECT_DATA =
      (SERVER = DEDICATED)
      (SERVICE_NAME = orcl.domain.com)
    )
  )

ORCL - This is the name of the connection string

• Once the tnsnames.ora file has been configured, proceed to setup the monitoring via Silk Performance Explorer | Monitor | Add Data Source | Select from Predefined Data Sources | Database System | Oracle (v$sysstat)