Note: Private Access Channel is now available in Oracle Analytics and is recommended by Oracle for new connections to private data sources. For more information on the feature and the data sources it supports refer to:
    Connect to Private Data Sources Through a Private Access Channel
    Supported Data Sources
    A-Team Chronicles Private Access Channel Series

Last validated October 13, 2020 with OAC 5.8

Introduction

The latest releases of Oracle Analytics Cloud (OAC) now include the new Remote Data Gateway (RDG) for accessing databases that are not otherwise accessible by OAC.

This post is a step-by-step guide to installing and configuring RDG on premise. This includes the Mac-OS, Windows, and Linux platforms. It includes scenarios using the Internet and VPN / FastConnect.

With an on-premise installation, the customer provides the client workstations, servers, database, network, network devices, firewalls, and file storage.

This post is one of the scenarios noted in the companion blog Deploying Remote Data Gateway in Oracle Analytics Cloud for Data Visualization

Validations

October 13, 2020 with OAC 5.8

February 13, 2020  with OAC 5.5 and RDG 5.5

October 17, 2019 with OAC 5.4 and RDG 5.4

Topics

Before You Begin

Downloading Remote Data Gateway

Preparing to Install Remote Data Gateway

Preparing to Configure Remote Data Gateway via Internet

Preparing to Configure Remote Data Gateway using VPN / FastConnect

 Before You Begin

Reviewing Supported Data Sources and Operating Systems

Ensure your data source and operating system is supported. Search for a document named Supported Data Sources - Oracle Help Center

Common Prerequisites

Deploying RDG requires the following common items:

All Platforms

Credentials and Privileges to install software on the RDG host.

Database connection information and credentials for validating the installation.

For Linux and Windows Servers

The IP address or host name where RDG is to be installed.

For Linux

A Graphical User Interface or alternatives such as VNC and X11 to use the GUI mode of the installer

For Windows

The Microsoft Remote Desktop (RDP) utility if accessing remote Windows servers.

On-Premise Prerequisites

If using FastConnect or VPN then:

It must be configured, and basic connectivity established.

Routing rules allowing access to OAC and Identity Cloud Service (IDCS) via the OCI Service Gateway. Direct connections to IDCS from your browser are required for user authentication.

 Downloading Remote Data Gateway

Connect to the RDG host and navigate to https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/middleware/oac/downloads/index.html.  Accept the license agreement and choose the desired platform. 

If using a Linux server that does not have a browser, download the Linux installer to a client machine and then upload it to the Linux server. For example, to SCP the installer use the following: 

scp  <path to installer file> <account>@< IP address or host name >:/tmp

 Preparing to Install Remote Data Gateway

There are no special preparations required for an on-premise installation.

Follow the steps in the A-team blog Installing Oracle Analytics Cloud Remote Data Gateway to install RDG.

 Preparing to Configure Remote Data Gateway via the Internet

This scenario uses the internet to reach the Oracle Cloud Tenancy. OAC resides in the Oracle Services Network within the tenancy.  The Oracle Services Network has its own Internet Gateway. No additional OCI objects are required. Users authenticate via IDCS which may be in a different region than OAC.

The following shows the installation and configuration architecture.

The Process:

User connects to OTN and downloads RDG

User installs RDG

User connects to OAC which may include authenticating with IDCS (IDCS may be in another region)

User enables RDG in OAC and notes the OAC URL

User configures RDG, generates the key, and pastes it into the OAC agent configuration

No additional preparation is required. Follow the steps in Completing the Deployment of Remote Data Gateway for OAC to configure RDG.

After RDG is configured and the connection validated, the following shows the operation architecture.

The Process:

- RDG initiates the connection to OAC

- User connects to OAC which may include authenticating with IDCS 

- User issues queries

- OAC passes the queries to RDG via the RDG connection

- RDG passes the queries to the database.

- Database returns the data to RDG

- RDG passes the result data to OAC via the RDG connection.

 Preparing to Configure Remote Data Gateway with VPN or FastConnect

The official documentation for connecting to OAC via VPN and FastConnect is Transit Routing: Private Access to Oracle Services. For OCI components, links to relevant documentation are provided.

As noted in the prerequisites, basic connectivity between the OCI tenancy and the Customer's environment must be present. Many new OCI components are required. Some must exist to have the basic connectivity. Some may be new to allow connections to OAC.

The following shows the installation and configuration architecture.

The Process:

User connects to OTN and downloads RDG

User installs RDG

User connects to OAC which may include authenticating with IDCS 

User enables RDG in OAC and notes the OAC URL

User configures RDG, generates the key, and pastes it into the OAC agent configuration

Basic Connectivity OCI Components

The FastConnect or VPN components Here and Here

Compartment that contains the DRG and VCN Here

Compartment Privilege Policies Here

DRG Here

VCN Here

DRG-VCN Attachment Here

OAC Connectivity OCI Components

Service Gateway Here

DRG Route Table to the Service Gateway Here. Look for Setting Up Private Access to Oracle Services 

After these components are in place, follow the steps in Completing the Deployment of Remote Data Gateway for OAC to configure RDG.

After RDG is configured and the connection validated, the following shows the operation architecture.

The Process:

RDG initiates the connection to OAC

User connects to OAC which may include authenticating with IDCS 

User issues queries

OAC passes the queries to RDG via the RDG connection

RDG passes the queries to the database.

Database returns the data to RDG

RDG passes the result data to OAC via the RDG connection.

 Summary

This post described installing and configuring RDG on premise. It included scenarios using the Internet and VPN / FastConnect.

For other posts relating to analytics and data integration visit http://www.ateam-oracle.com/dayne-carley