The provider is not compatible with the version of Oracle client

I'm trying to use the Oracle ODP.NET 11g (11.1.0.6.20) Instant Client on my ASP.net project as a Data Provider but when I run the aspx page I get a "The provider is not compatible with the version of Oracle client" error message. Any help would be appreciated.

I've referenced the Data Provider in Visual Studio 2005 and the code behind looks like this:

using Oracle.DataAccess.Client;
..

OracleConnection oOracleConn = new OracleConnection();
oOracleConn.ConnectionString =
    "Data Source=MyOracleServerName;" +
    "Integrated Security=SSPI";
oOracleConn.Open();

//Do Something

oOracleConn.Close();

The error for the page looks like this:

Exception Details: Oracle.DataAccess.Client.OracleException: The provider is not compatible with the version of Oracle client

Source Error: 
Line 21: 
Line 22: 
Line 23:             OracleConnection oOracleConn = new OracleConnection();
Line 24:             oOracleConn.ConnectionString =
Line 25:                 "Data Source=MyOracleServerName;" +

[OracleException (0x80004005): The provider is not compatible with the version of Oracle client]
   Oracle.DataAccess.Client.OracleInit.Initialize() +494
   Oracle.DataAccess.Client.OracleConnection..cctor() +483

Stack Trace: 
[TypeInitializationException: The type initializer for 'Oracle.DataAccess.Client.OracleConnection' threw an exception.]
   Oracle.DataAccess.Client.OracleConnection..ctor() +0
   Boeing.IVX.Web.RoyTesting.Page_Load(Object sender, EventArgs e) in C:\Documents and Settings\CE218C\Desktop\IVX.Net\Web\IVX\RoyTesting.aspx.cs:23
   System.Web.Util.CalliHelper.EventArgFunctionCaller(IntPtr fp, Object o, Object t, EventArgs e) +15
   System.Web.Util.CalliEventHandlerDelegateProxy.Callback(Object sender, EventArgs e) +33
   System.Web.UI.Control.OnLoad(EventArgs e) +99
   System.Web.UI.Control.LoadRecursive() +47
   System.Web.UI.Page.ProcessRequestMain(Boolean includeStagesBeforeAsyncPoint, Boolean includeStagesAfterAsyncPoint) +1436

Solution 1:

I've been looking into this problem further, and you simply need to grab all the appropriate DLL's from the same downloaded version of ODP.Net and put them in the same folder as your Exe file, because ODP.Net is fussy about not mixing version numbers.

I've explained how to do this here: http://splinter.com.au/using-the-new-odpnet-to-access-oracle-from-c Here's the gist of it though:

• Download ODP.Net
• Unzip the file
• Unzip all the JAR's in it
• Grab these dll's that were just unzipped:
  • oci.dll (renamed from 'oci.dll.dbl')
  • Oracle.DataAccess.dll
  • oraociicus11.dll
  • OraOps11w.dll
  • orannzsbb11.dll
  • oraocci11.dll
  • ociw32.dll (renamed from 'ociw32.dll.dbl')
• Put all the DLLs in the same folder as your C# Executable

Solution 2:

You should "ignore" all the x86/x64 talk here for starters and instead try the ODP.NET Managed Driver (if you are using .Net v4+):

https://www.nuget.org/packages/Oracle.ManagedDataAccess/

https://www.nuget.org/packages/Oracle.ManagedDataAccess.EntityFramework/

Oracle ODP.net Managed vs Unmanaged Driver

Avoid all the "unmanaged" what DLL what architecture issues! :D (about time Oracle).

The NuGet package (also works for 11g):

The old / manual method:

For info on how to convert to using the managed libraries:

• First, here is a great code comparison of managed vs unmanaged: http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E51173_01/win.122/e17732/intro005.htm#ODPNT148
• Ensure you have downloaded the ODP.NET, Managed Driver Xcopy version only
• From the downloaded zip file, copy and paste into your project directory:
  • Oracle.ManagedDataAccessDTC.dll
  • Oracle.ManagedDataAccess.dll
• Add a reference to Oracle.ManagedDataAccess.dll
• Ensure your exe is released (added to Application Folder in VS2010) with both dlls

Solution 3:

I only installed the Oracle Data Provider for .NET 2.0 (11.1.0.6.20) and I did not install the Oracle Instant Client (11.1.0.6.0).

I just installed it and the error disappeared!