Oracle XE 21c on Oracle Linux 8 with Vagrant

This guide provides a complete setup for installing and configuring Oracle Database 21c Express Edition (XE) on Oracle Linux 8 using Vagrant. It includes database installation, verification, listener configuration, remote access setup, and troubleshooting steps.

Note

If you have questions, issues, or suggestions related to this setup, feel free to start a discussion or open an issue in this repository.

Prerequisites

1. Download the required RPMs and place them in the same folder as your Vagrantfile:

   • oracle-database-xe-21c-1.0-1.ol8.x86_64.rpm
   • oracle-database-preinstall-21c-1.0-1.el8.x86_64.rpm

Vagrant Setup

Launch the VM:

vagrant up
vagrant ssh

Post-Installation

Oracle XE Default Credentials

• Username: system
• Password: Oracle123

Verify Database Connection

1. SSH into the VM and switch to the oracle user:

   vagrant ssh
   sudo su - oracle

2. Start SQL*Plus:

   sqlplus

3. Login:

   Enter user-name: system
   Enter password: Oracle123
   

4. Run a test query:

   SELECT 'Hello, Oracle!' AS test_message FROM dual;

   Expected output:

   TEST_MESSAGE
   --------------
   Hello, Oracle!
   

Troubleshooting: ORA-12514

Error

ORA-12514: TNS:listener does not currently know of service requested in connect descriptor

This error indicates that the service (e.g., XE) is not registered with the Oracle listener.

Step-by-Step Fix

1. Switch to the Oracle user:

   vagrant ssh
   sudo su - oracle

2. Login as SYSDBA:

   sqlplus / as sysdba

3. Check database status:

   SELECT status FROM v$instance;

   If the result is not OPEN, start the database:

   STARTUP;

4. Register the service:

   ALTER SYSTEM REGISTER;

5. Verify listener status:

   Exit SQL*Plus:

   exit

   Then run:

   lsnrctl status

   Look for:

   Service "XE" has 1 instance(s).
   Instance "XE", status READY, has 1 handler(s) for this service...
   

Remote Access Configuration (Advanced)

Caution

This section is intended for advanced users. Modifying Oracle listener and network configurations without understanding the implications can result in service unavailability or connectivity issues. Only proceed if you understand what you're doing.

File Locations

File	Purpose	Location
listener.ora	Listener config	/opt/oracle/homes/OraDBHome21cXE/network/admin/listener.ora
tnsnames.ora	Client config	~/.oracle/network/admin/tnsnames.ora or /etc/tnsnames.ora

Server Configuration: listener.ora

Edit the file:

sudo vi /opt/oracle/homes/OraDBHome21cXE/network/admin/listener.ora

Update contents to:

LISTENER =
  (DESCRIPTION_LIST =
    (DESCRIPTION =
      (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = 0.0.0.0)(PORT = 1521))
    )
  )

DEFAULT_SERVICE_LISTENER = XE

Restart the listener:

lsnrctl stop
lsnrctl start
lsnrctl status

Ensure XE service appears in the output.

---

Client Configuration: tnsnames.ora

On the client machine (or host system), create or edit tnsnames.ora:

XE =
  (DESCRIPTION =
    (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = 192.168.56.38)(PORT = 1521))
    (CONNECT_DATA =
      (SERVICE_NAME = XE)
    )
  )

Replace 192.168.56.38 with the actual IP address of the Oracle VM.

---

Test Remote Connection

From a system with Oracle tools installed:

sqlplus system/Oracle123@XE

Or connect directly using the full descriptor:

sqlplus system/Oracle123@//192.168.56.38:1521/XE

Resources

• Vagrant Documentation:
  • https://developer.hashicorp.com/vagrant/docs
• Oracle XE 21c Documentation:
  • https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/oracle-database/21/xeinl/

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