Oracle feature snapshot

A high-level look at Stitch's Oracle (v1) integration, including release status, useful links, and the features supported in Stitch.

STITCH
Release status

Released on August 1, 2018

 Supported by

[Stitch] (https://community.qlik.com/t5/Support/ct-p/qlikSupport)
Stitch plan

Advanced

 Supported versions

8.0 - 18c
API availability

Available

 Singer GitHub repository

singer-io/tap-oracle
CONNECTION METHODS
SSH connections

Supported

 SSL connections

Unsupported
REPLICATION SETTINGS
Anchor Scheduling

Supported

 Advanced Scheduling

Supported
Table-level reset

Supported

 Configurable Replication Methods

Supported
REPLICATION METHODS
Log-based Replication

Supported

 Key-based Replication

Supported
Full Table Replication

Supported
DATA SELECTION
Table selection

Supported

 Column selection

Supported
View replication

Supported

 Select all

Supported, with prerequisites
TRANSPARENCY
Extraction Logs

Supported

 Loading Reports

Supported

Connecting Oracle

Oracle setup requirements

To set up Oracle in Stitch, you need:

  • A Stitch Advanced plan.

  • Privileges in the Oracle database that allow you to:

    • Access the V$DATABASE and V_$THREAD performance views. These are required to verify setting configuration while setting up your Oracle database and to retrieve the database’s Oracle System ID. Refer to Oracle’s documentation for more info on performance views.

    • Create users and grant privileges. The CREATE USER and GRANT privileges are required to create a database user for Stitch and grant the necessary privileges to the user.

    • GRANT access to the objects you want to replicate. This is necessary to grant the privileges necessary for selecting data to the Stitch database user. Refer to Oracle’s documentation for more info.

  • If using Log-based Incremental Replication, you need:

    • A database using Oracle 8.0 through 18c. Versions earlier than 8.0 and later than 18c don’t include LogMiner functionality, which is required for Log-based Incremental Replication.

    • System administrator (SYSDBA) privileges. This is necessary to complete steps required to use Oracle LogMiner. Refer to Oracle’s documentation for more info.

    • An existing Recovery Manager (RMAN) configuration. RMAN is used to manage database backups and archive logs and is required to use Log-based Incremental Replication. Setting up RMAN is outside the scope of this tutorial. If you need help setting up and using RMAN, refer to Oracle’s documentation or loop in a member of your technical team.

Step 1: Configure database connection settings

In this step, you’ll configure the database server to allow traffic from Stitch to access it. There are two ways to connect your database:

  • A direct connection will work if your database is publicly accessible.
  • An SSH tunnel is required if your database isn’t publicly accessible. This method uses a publicly accessible instance, or an SSH server, to act as an intermediary between Stitch and your database. The SSH server will forward traffic from Stitch through an encrypted tunnel to the private database.

Click the option you’re using below and follow the instructions.

I'm using a direct connection.

For the connection to be successful, you’ll need to configure your firewall to allow access from our IP addresses.

The IP addresses you’ll whitelist depend on the Data pipeline region your account is in.

  1. Sign into your Stitch account, if you haven’t already.
  2. Click User menu (your icon) > Edit User Settings and locate the Data pipeline region section to verify your account’s region.

  3. Locate the list of IP addresses for your region:

  4. Whitelist the appropriate IP addresses.

I'm using an SSH tunnel to connect.

  1. Follow the steps in the Setting up an SSH Tunnel for a database connection guide to set up an SSH tunnel for Oracle.
  2. Complete the steps in this guide after the SSH setup is complete.

Step 2: Enable Log-based Incremental Replication with LogMiner

Log-based Incremental Replication is the most efficient way to replicate Oracle data. Stitch uses Oracle’s LogMiner package to query Oracle’s archive logs and retrieve all inserts, updates, and deletes to your database.

Step 2.1: Verify the database's current archiving mode

To check the database’s current mode, run:

SELECT LOG_MODE FROM V$DATABASE

If the result is ARCHIVELOG, archiving is enabled and no further action is required. Skip to Step 3.3 to configure RMAN backups.

If the result is NOARCHIVELOG, then you’ll need to enable archiving. Move onto to Step 3.2 for instructions.

Step 2.2: Enable ARCHIVELOG mode

If the result to the query in Step 3.1 is NOARCHIVELOG, then you’ll need to enable ARCHIVELOG mode. Skip to Step 3.3 if the result was ARCHIVELOG.

  1. Shut down the database instance. The database and any associated instances must be shut down before the database’s archiving mode can be changed.

    SHUTDOWN IMMEDIATE

  2. If desired, back up the database. Oracle recommends backing up databases before any major changes. Refer to Oracle’s documentation for more info.

  3. Start a new instance and mount (but not open) the database:

    STARTUP MOUNT

  4. Change the database’s archiving mode and re-open it:

    ALTER DATABASE ARCHIVELOG
ALTER DATABASE OPEN

Step 2.3: Configure RMAN backups

Next, you’ll configure Recovery Manager (RMAN) backups. This setting defines how long the database will retain backups and archive logs, which is what Stitch will read from to perform Log-based Incremental Replication. Refer to Oracle’s documentation for more info about RMAN.

Stitch recommends a retention period of at least 3 days, but strongly recommends 7. To specify the RMAN retention policy, run the following:

RMAN> CONFIGURE RETENTION POLICY TO RECOVERY WINDOW OF 7 DAYS;

Step 2.4: Enable supplemental logging

In this step, you’ll enable supplemental logging for the database. This ensures that columns are logged in redo log files, which is required by Oracle to use LogMiner. Refer to Oracle’s documentation for more info about supplemental logging.

Stitch supports supplemental logging at the database and table level. Note: You do not need to enable both. Select the level you want to use for supplemental logging (database or table) and follow the steps below:

  • At the database level, this means that any time a change is made to a table in the database, it will be logged in the redo log files.

    To enable supplemental logging at the database level, run:

    ALTER DATABASE ADD SUPPLEMENTAL LOG DATA (ALL) COLUMNS

  • At the table level, this means that only changes made to the specified table will be logged in the redo log files. By only applying logging to the tables you want to replicate through Stitch, this may reduce the overall disk space used by redo log files.

    To enable supplemental logging at the table level, run the following for every table you want to replicate through Stitch:

    ALTER TABLE <SCHEMA_NAME>.<TABLE_NAME> ADD SUPPLEMENTAL LOG DATA (ALL) COLUMNS

Next, verify that supplemental logging was successfully enabled by running the following query:

SELECT SUPPLEMENTAL_LOG_DATA_MIN FROM V$DATABASE

If the returned value is YES or IMPLICIT, supplemental logging is enabled.

Step 3: Create a Stitch Oracle database user

Next, you’ll create a dedicated database user for Stitch. This will ensure Stitch is visible in any logs or audits and allow you to maintain your privilege hierarchy.

  1. If you aren’t already, log into your database as a user with CREATE USER and GRANT privileges.

  2. Run the following command to create the Stitch database user, replacing <stitch_username> with the name of the database user and <password> with a secure password:

    CREATE USER STITCH IDENTIFIED BY <password>

  3. Grant the Stitch user the CREATE SESSION privilege, which will allow Stitch to connect to the database:

    GRANT CREATE SESSION TO <stitch_username>

  4. Grant the Stitch user SELECT privileges on the following system tables:

    GRANT SELECT ON all_constraints to <stitch_username>
GRANT SELECT ON all_cons_columns to <stitch_username>
GRANT SELECT ON all_tab_columns to <stitch_username>
GRANT SELECT ON all_tables to <stitch_username>
GRANT SELECT ON all_views to <stitch_username>
GRANT SELECT ON all_constraints to <stitch_username>
GRANT SELECT ON SYS.V_$DATABASE TO <stitch_username>

  5. Grant the Stitch user SELECT privileges by running this command for every table you want to replicate:

    GRANT SELECT ON <schema_name>.<table_name> to <stitch_username>

    Limiting access to only the tables you want to replicate ensures that the integration can complete discovery (a structure sync) in a timely manner. If you encounter issues in Stitch where tables aren’t displaying, try limiting the Stitch database user’s table access.

See the Privileges list tab for an explanation of why these permissions are required by Stitch.

In the table below are the database user privileges Stitch requires to connect to and replicate data from a Oracle database.

Privilege name Reason for requirement
CREATE SESSION

Required to log into the Oracle database.
SELECT

Required to select data from specified tables.
EXECUTE_CATALOG_ROLE

Required to use Log-based Incremental Replication. Required by Oracle to access objects in the SYS schema.
EXECUTE ON DBMS_LOGMNR

Required to use Log-based Incremental Replication. Allows the Stitch user to execute the DBMS_LOGMNR package for LogMiner.
EXECUTE ON DBMS_LOGMNR_D

Required to use Log-based Incremental Replication. Allows the Stitch user to execute the DBMS_LOGMNR package for LogMiner.
SELECT ON SYS.V_$DATABASE

Required to validate the database’s configuration settings (archiving mode, supplemental logging, etc).
SELECT ANY TRANSACTION

Required to use Log-based Incremental Replication. Requied by Oracle to query the SYS.V$LOGMNR_CONTENTS view.
SELECT ANY DICTIONARY

Required to select from system data dictionary objects.
SELECT ON SYS.V_$ARCHIVED_LOG

Required to use Log-based Incremental Replication. Required to locate the start and end of extracted dictionaries in archived redo log files via the SYS.V_$ARCHIVED_LOG view.
SELECT ON SYS.V_$LOGMNR_CONTENTS

Required to use Log-based Incremental Replication. Required to identify the redo log files to mine (read) via the SYS.V_$LOGMNR_CONTENTS view.
LOGMINING

Required to use Log-based Incremental Replication if using Oracle version 12. In version 12 of Oracle, this privilege is required to use the START_LOGMNR procedure in LogMiner.

Step 4: Retrieve the database's Oracle System ID

An Oracle System ID (SID) is used to uniquely identify a specific database in your system. When you connect an Oracle database to Stitch, you’ll enter the SID of the database you want Stitch to extract data from into the Integration Settings page.

To retrieve your database’s SID, log into your database as a user with access to the SYS.V_$THREAD performance view and run the following:

SELECT INSTANCE FROM SYS.V_$THREAD

The value returned by the query will be the database’s SID. Keep this handy - you’ll need it to complete the setup.

Step 5: Connect Stitch

In this step, you’ll complete the setup by entering the database’s connection details and defining replication settings in Stitch.

Step 5.1: Define the database connection details

  1. If you aren’t signed into your Stitch account, sign in now.

  2. On the Stitch Dashboard page, click the Add Integration button.

  3. Locate and click the Oracle icon.

  4. Fill in the fields as follows:

    • Integration Name: Enter a name for the integration. This is the name that will display on the Stitch Dashboard for the integration; it’ll also be used to create the schema in your destination.

      For example, the name “Stitch Oracle” would create a schema called stitch_oracle in the destination. Note: The schema name cannot be changed after the integration is saved.

    • Host (Endpoint): Enter the host address (endpoint) used by the Oracle instance. For example: This could be a network address such as 192.68.0.1, or a server endpoint like dbname.hosting-provider.com.

    • Port: Enter the port used by the Oracle instance. The default is 1521.

    • Username: Enter the Stitch Oracle database user’s username.

    • Password: Enter the password for the Stitch Oracle database user.

    • Oracle System ID (SID): Enter the Oracle System ID (SID) of the database you retrieved in Step 5.

Step 5.2: Define the SSH connection details

If you’re using an SSH tunnel to connect your Oracle database to Stitch, you’ll also need to define the SSH settings. Refer to the Setting up an SSH Tunnel for a database connection guide for assistance with completing these fields.

  1. Click the SSH Tunnel checkbox.

  2. Fill in the fields as follows:

    • SSH Host: Enter the public IP address or hostname of the server Stitch will SSH into.

    • SSH Port: Enter the SSH port on your server. (22 by default)

    • SSH User: Enter the Stitch Linux (SSH) user’s username.

Step 5.3: Define the default replication method

In the Default Replication Method section, you’ll select a default Replication Method for the integration.

The method you select will be the default Replication Method for any table you set to replicate. You can change the Replication Method for individual tables in the Table Settings page for that table.

Select a default Replication Method:

  • Log-based Incremental Replication - Stitch will use Log-based Incremental Replication. Refer to the Log-based Incremental documentation for more info, examples, and limitations for this method. Note: This method can only be used if you completed the steps for setting up LogMiner.

  • Full Table Replication - Stitch will use Full Table Replication. Refer to the Full Table documentation for more info, examples, and limitations for this method.

Note: Key-based Incremental documentation is also available for this integration, but it must be set manually. This is due to Stitch requiring a Replication Key to be selected for every table set to replicate.

Step 5.4: Create a replication schedule

In the Replication Frequency section, you’ll create the integration’s replication schedule. An integration’s replication schedule determines how often Stitch runs a replication job, and the time that job begins.

Oracle integrations support the following replication scheduling methods:

To keep your row usage low, consider setting the integration to replicate less frequently. See the Understanding and Reducing Your Row Usage guide for tips on reducing your usage.

Step 6: Select data to replicate

The last step is to select the tables and columns you want to replicate.

Note: If a replication job is currently in progress, new selections won’t be used until the next job starts.

For Oracle integrations, you can select:

  1. Individual tables and columns

  2. All tables and columns (except views)

  3. Database views

Click the tabs to view instructions for each selection method.

  1. In the Integration Details page, click the Tables to Replicate tab.
  2. Locate a table you want to replicate.

  3. Click the checkbox next to the table’s name. A blue checkmark means the table is set to replicate.

  4. After you set a table to replicate, a page with the table’s columns will display. De-select columns if needed.

  5. Next, you’ll define the table’s Replication Method. Click the Table Settings button.
  6. In the Table Settings page:

    1. Define the table’s Replication Method, or skip this step if you want to use the integration’s default method.

    2. If using Key-based Incremental Replication, select a Replication Key.

    3. When finished, click Update Settings.

  7. Repeat this process for every table you want to replicate.

  8. Click the Finalize Your Selections button at the bottom of the page to save your data selections.
  1. Click into the integration from the Stitch Dashboard page.

  2. Click the Tables to Replicate tab.

  3. Navigate to the table level, selecting any databases and/or schemas that contain tables you want to replicate.

  4. In the list of tables, click the box next to the Table Names column.

  5. In the menu that displays, click Track AllTables and Fields (Except Views):

    The Track AllTables and Fields (Except Views) menu in the Tables to Replicate tab

  6. Click the Finalize Your Selections button at the bottom of the page to save your data selections.

Setting a database view to replicate is similar to selecting a table, with a few differences. Refer to the Replicating Database Views guide for detailed instructions.

At a high level, you’ll need to complete the following to select a database view:

  1. Verify the database user’s permissions
  2. Select the view
  3. Optional: Define the view’s Primary Key
  4. Define the view’s Replication Method
  5. Save the view’s settings

Initial and historical replication jobs

After you finish setting up Oracle, its Sync Status may show as Pending on either the Stitch Dashboard or in the Integration Details page.

For a new integration, a Pending status indicates that Stitch is in the process of scheduling the initial replication job for the integration. This may take some time to complete.

Free historical data loads

The first seven days of replication, beginning when data is first replicated, are free. Rows replicated from the new integration during this time won’t count towards your quota. Stitch offers this as a way of testing new integrations, measuring usage, and ensuring historical data volumes don’t quickly consume your quota.

Oracle replication

Overview of Log-based Incremental Replication using LogMiner

Stitch uses Oracle’s LogMiner package to replicate data incrementally. This means that when Log-based Incremental is selected as the Replication Method for a table, Stitch will only replicate new or updated data for the table during each replication job.

To identify new and updated data, Stitch uses Oracle’s Approximate Commit System Change Numbers, or SCNs, as Replication Keys. When reading from the database’s logs, records with an SCN value greater than the maximum SCN from the previous job will be replicated.

Refer to the Log-based Incremental Replication documentation for a more detailed explanation, examples, and the limitations associated with this replication method.

Data types

In the table below are the data types Oracle integrations support and the Stitch data type it will map to, depending on the version of the integration being used:

  • indicates that the data type is supported. Following the icon is the Stitch data type it will map to.
  • indicates that the data type is supported, but there is additional information you should know. Hover over the icon to view a tooltip with the information.
  • indicates that the data type isn't applicable to the integration. This is usually because the integration doesn't use that particular data type.
  • indicates that the data type isn't supported. In Stitch, columns with unsupported data types will have Unavailable in the Type column of the Tables to Replicate tab.

Refer to the Data typing guide for more info about how Stitch identifies and types data when it's loaded into your destination.

Note: This table doesn't display info for versions that have been sunset.

Data type Stored as
ADT
BIGINT INTEGER
FLOAT FLOAT
FLOAT FLOAT
BIT
BLOB
STRING STRING
CLOB
COLLECTION
STRING STRING , formatted as DATE-TIME
NUMBER NUMBER
NUMBER NUMBER
FLOAT FLOAT
INTEGER INTEGER
LONG
LONG RAW
LONGNVARCHAR
LONGVARCHAR
STRING STRING
NCLOB
NUMERIC INTEGER OR DECIMAL
NVARCHAR STRING
STRING STRING
NUMBER NUMBER
INTEGER INTEGER
TIME
TIMESTAMP STRING , formatted as DATE-TIME
TINYINT
STRING STRING
STRING STRING
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