Remote Oracle database access using Instant Client and TOAD

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If you have Oracle database installed on remote server and need to access it through TOAD, then these
are the steps to follow:
1. Download Oracle Instant Client Basic package (required)
2. Download SQL * Plus package (optional).
3. Create directory called Oracle as
C:\Oracle
4. Create folders bin and network. Create admin folder inside network.
5. Extract all files from Basic package to bin folder.
6. Extract all files from SQL * Plus package to bin folder (if step 2 is followed).
7. Add User variables
SQLPATH = C:\Oracle
TNS_ADMIN = C:\Oracle\network\admin
LD_LIBRARY_PATH = C:\Oracle\bin
8. Make a file tnsnames.ora under C:\Oracle\network\admin folder
Sample TNSNAMES.ORA file entry
VIS =
(DESCRIPTION =
(ADDRESS_LIST =
(ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = <host_name or ip_address>)(PORT = 1521))
)
(CONNECT_DATA =
(SID = <instance_name>)
(SERVER = DEDICATED)
)
)

9. Reboot the computer to make your changes.
10. Create a key under \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE and name it as Oracle.
11. Create a string value by name ORACLE_HOME and enter the fully qualified path to the above oracle
directory.
12. Open Toad to create connection to the database.
13. Check SQL*Net compatible Net8.
14. Now you are ready with TOAD.