In Oracle configuration files and system parameters there exist certain setting which will prevent the Oracle software owner from connecting to the database with sysdba privileges. In this article we will discuss a SQLNET.ORA setting which will result in this error. This article was written using a linux environment; however the result will be very similar on any OS.
1. Logon to your Oracle server as the Oracle software owner and attempt to logon to sqlplus with sysdba privileges.
mylinux:>sqlplus ‘/ as sysdba’
SQL*Plus: Release 10.2.0.4.0 – Production on Tue Oct 19 19:00:46 2009
Copyright (c) 1982, 2007, Oracle. All Rights Reserved.
ERROR:
ORA-01031: insufficient privileges
Enter user-name:
2. Exit out of sqlplus by hitting return twice.
3. Change directory to $ORACLE_HOME/network/admin.
mylinux:>cd $ORACLE_HOME/network/admin
mylinux:>
4. Open the file sqlnet.ora and comment out the line sqlnet.authentication.
mylinux:>vi sqlnet.ora
“sqlnet.ora” 2 lines, 59 characters
#sqlnet.authentication_services=none
5. Save your changes and exit your editor.
6. Now try to connect to sqlplus with sysdba privileges as the oracle software owner.
mylinux:>sqlplus ‘/ as sysdba’
SQL*Plus: Release 10.2.0.4.0 – Production on Tue Oct 19 19:05:01 2009
Copyright (c) 1982, 2007, Oracle. All Rights Reserved.
Connected to:
Oracle Database 10g Enterprise Edition Release 10.2.0.4.0 – 64bit Production
With the Partitioning, OLAP, Data Mining and Real Application Testing options
SQL>
You have successfully connected with SYSDBA privilege.
Larry J Catt, OCP 9i, 10g
oracle@allcompute.com
www.allcompute.com