FME Server Does Not Start When Configured with Oracle Database

Issue

When the FME Server Database is configured on an Oracle Database Server, FME Server fails to start. You may see an error message in the FME Server log file (fmeserver.log) similar to the following:

COM.<domain>.fmeserver.database.FMEServerDBException: java.sql.SQLException: Listener refused the connection with the following error:
ORA-12505, TNS:listener does not currently know of SID given in connect descriptor

Cause

With the version of Oracle that is connecting to the FME Server Database, the JDBC URL must specify a service name instead of a session ID (SID). This requirement may be more common in later versions of Oracle.

Resolution

Open FME Server configuration file fmeCommonConfig.txt, located under \Server\. Under FME SERVER SETTINGS START > Database Connection, edit the Oracle-specific DB_JDBC_URL parameter to specify the Oracle service name, rather than SID, as follows:

from:

DB_JDBC_URL=jdbc:oracle:thin:@<oracleHostname>:<oraclePort>:<oracleSID>

to:

DB_JDBC_URL=jdbc:oracle:thin:@<oracleHostname>:<oraclePort>/<oracleServicename>

When specifying the service name, be sure to change the final colon (:) to a forward slash (/).