[comp.databases] Accessing ORACLE from a diskless workstation

bernd@comp.vuw.ac.nz (Bernd Gill) (08/03/89)

We are running an Oracle database on a server (called "depot", an HP370
running HPUX). A number of diskless workstations (HP340's) are served
over TCP/IP.

If I am logged on to a diskless workstation the only way to connect to
the database on the server is:
	sqlplus username/password@T:depot:A

This works fine, but if anybody else who is logged on to the same
workstation runs "ps -ef" my password is displayed.
This is an unacceptable security risk.

Does anybody know a different way to connect to the database without
having the password on the command line?

I have tried a few things but only with the password on the command line
the connection is made.

Thanks very much for any help,
		Bernd
--
Bernd Gill				Dept. of Computer Science
					Victoria University of Wellington
Email: bernd@comp.vuw.ac.nz		Wellington, NEW ZEALAND
					Phone: +64 4 721-000 x8658

midkiff@Thalatta.COM (Michelle Midkiff) (08/04/89)

In article <1989Aug3.034215.26877@comp.vuw.ac.nz> bernd@comp.vuw.ac.nz (Bernd Gill) writes:
>We are running an Oracle database on a server (called "depot", an HP370
>running HPUX). A number of diskless workstations (HP340's) are served
>over TCP/IP.
>
>If I am logged on to a diskless workstation the only way to connect to
>the database on the server is:
>	sqlplus username/password@T:depot:A
>
>This works fine, but if anybody else who is logged on to the same
>workstation runs "ps -ef" my password is displayed.
>This is an unacceptable security risk.
>
>Does anybody know a different way to connect to the database without
>having the password on the command line?
               << some text deleted for brevity >>


Set your TWO_TASK environment variable.  For example, in a c-shell you would
type:
               setenv TWO_TASK T:depot:A

Then when you try to connect to the database on the server, Just type:

               sqlplus

Oracle will bring up the login screen, which prompts for your login name and
password. 

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