Advice on client deployment of forms

[lewisp]

I'd like some advice please on the deployment of forms across a client network of PCs that spans the UK mainland.

I have read the Oracle note describing how to deploy forms where there is no exsiting ORACLE_HOME set up. We do this already and the method works very well. However, on numerous PCs we already have Oracle applications installed, and the only method we know is to use the official Oracle Developer CD to install the forms and reports runtimes. This is cumbersome at the best of times and not viable on a nationwide network.

Is there anyone with advice or knowledge of this kind of deployment, or is there any utility anywhere that will install just the forms and report runtimes without messing up existing Oracle installations (ie. the windows registry) in a single exe?

 

[sem]

Did you try Delivery Wizard from Project Builder?

 

[lewisp]

Does it deliver the forms runtimes?

 

[sem]

No, but it creates command files for Oracle Installer

 

[lewisp]

Thanks. I'll take a look at it.

 

[jquaid]

Assuming you're using Developer6i, have you looked at using the Forms Server/Forms Internet Server? We have moved a couple of large data/transaction volume billing systems onto these and found performance improvements (especially on the reports side).
As all the code is server based, rolling out upgrades and bug-fixes is only a matter of copying the FMBs to a folder on the server.
I have no idea what the licensing costs of these servers are, but it would mean that all you have to give the clients is the IP address - all that is required at the client side is an internet browser - no forms/reports runtime is required.

 

[sem]

3-tier deployment works well on Intranet. Or you should have an EXTRA wide connection.

 

[kashv]

We are using the Forms Server/Forms Internet Server as well.
But how did you decided the problem of PentiumIV staffed client sides? After installing the default jinitiator a browser are trying to load forms applet and dropping down.
I can't install Forms Server properly on a P-IV computer too, the OracleHttpServer does not run.