FIX: Oracle SQL Developer timeout when connected to Azure

When using Oracle SQL Developer to connect to an Oracle database housed on a VM in Microsoft Azure, Developer will “timeout” after approx. 2 – 3 minutes due to Azure closing unused connections. Using this configuration, Oracle SQL Developer will hold the connection open indefinitely.

Download and unzip the Oracle InstantClient:
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/database/features/instant-client/index-097480.html

Put the unzipped directory in a folder on your local drive.

Within Oracle SQL Developer, select Tools –> Preferences.  In the left pane, choose Database –> Advanced

 

Configure Oracle SQL Developer to prevent timeout when connecting to Azure
Configure Oracle SQL Developer to prevent timeout when connecting to Azure

Restart Oracle SQL Developer

 

On the Oracle server,  edit sqlnet.ora to add the line:

SQLNET.EXPIRE_TIME=1

Restart the server.