Connecting to Oracle Database 23ai on Oracle@GCP with VS Code: A DBA’s Guide

Let me give you the straight story on connecting to Oracle Database 23ai running on Oracle@GCP using VS Code with the Oracle SQL Developer extension. If you’re like me, you want efficient connections without the complexity. Here’s how to get it done.

The Setup

First, let’s talk about what we’re working with. Oracle Database@Google Cloud combines Oracle’s enterprise database with Google’s infrastructure. From a DBA perspective, this means you get the familiar Oracle toolset with simplified cloud management. The connection process I’m about to walk you through takes about 10 minutes – significantly faster than traditional on-premises setups.

Prerequisites

Before we dive in, ensure you have:

• Access to your Oracle@GCP instance through Google Cloud Console
• Microsoft VS Code installed
• Oracle SQL Developer extension for VS Code installed
• Database credentials (username/password)

Part 1: Retrieving Your Connection Credentials

Accessing Your Autonomous Database

Log into the Google Cloud Console and navigate to Oracle Database@Google Cloud. You’ll find it in the main navigation menu. Under the service, select “Autonomous Database Service” and then click on “Autonomous Database” to view your instances.

Your database instance will be listed with its current status. Look for the green “Available” indicator – that’s your confirmation the database is ready for connections.

Getting to the Connection Details

Click on your database name (in my example, it’s “rdadwgcp”). This takes you to the Autonomous Database Details page. Here’s where it gets interesting for us DBAs – you’ll see multiple tabs including Details, Connections, Backups, Disaster recovery, and Operations.

Click on the “Connections” tab. This is command central for your connection configuration.

Understanding Authentication Options

The Connections page presents an important decision point. Oracle@GCP supports both TLS and mTLS authentication. Here’s what you need to know:

TLS Authentication works great if you’re using:

• JDBC Thin Client (version 12.2.0.1 or higher) with JDK 8(u163+)
• Python python-oracledb driver
• ODP.NET version 19.14 or higher
• Oracle Call Interface based drivers (19.14 or higher)

For VS Code with SQL Developer extension, we’ll use the traditional wallet approach for maximum compatibility and security.

Downloading the Wallet

Scroll down to the “Download client credentials (Wallet)” section. You’ll see the wallet type is set to “Instance Wallet”. Click the “Download Wallet” button.

A dialog appears asking you to set a password. This is critical – the password must be:

• 8-60 characters long
• Contain at least one alphabetic character
• Contain at least one numeric character

Pro tip: Use a password you’ll remember but that meets Oracle’s security requirements. I typically use a combination of a memorable phrase with numbers and special characters.

After entering and confirming your password, click “Download”. Save this wallet file somewhere secure – you’ll need it in a moment.

Part 2: Configuring VS Code Connection

Opening SQL Developer Extension

Launch VS Code and look for the SQL Developer icon in the activity bar (left side). Click it to open the extension. You’ll see a “CONNECTIONS” panel – this is where we’ll set up our database connection.

Creating a New Connection

Click the “+” icon in the CONNECTIONS panel. This opens the “Create Connection” dialog. Now we’re getting to the meat of the configuration.

Connection Configuration Details

Here’s how to fill out each field:

Connection Name: Use something descriptive. I use the format “Oracle@GCP – [DATABASE_NAME] – ATP” to quickly identify the connection type and instance.

Authentication Type: Leave as “Default”

Username: Typically “admin” for initial connections, though you may have created additional users

Password: Enter the database user password (not the wallet password)

Role: Keep as “Default” unless you need specific privileges

Connection Type: Select “Cloud Wallet” from the dropdown

Configuring the Wallet

In the Details tab (should be selected by default):

Configuration File: Click “Choose File” and select the wallet zip file you downloaded earlier

Service: After uploading the wallet, this dropdown populates automatically. Select the appropriate service level:

• *_LOW: For typical development work
• *_MEDIUM: For moderate workloads
• *_HIGH: For performance-critical operations
• *_TP: For transaction processing workloads

For most DBA tasks, I recommend starting with the LOW service and adjusting based on your workload requirements.

Testing and Saving

Before committing the connection:

1. Click “Test” to verify everything’s configured correctly
2. Wait for the success message
3. Click “Save” to store the connection

VS Code will prompt you for the password one more time when you first use the connection. Enter it and you’re connected.

Verifying Your Connection

Once connected, expand your connection in the CONNECTIONS panel. You’ll see the familiar Oracle object tree – Tables, Views, Indexes, Procedures, etc.

Run a quick verification query:

SELECT * FROM v$database;

This confirms your connection and shows basic database information.

Performance Considerations

As a DBA, you’ll appreciate these Oracle@GCP features:

• Automatic backups without intervention
• Built-in high availability
• Elastic scaling based on workload
• Automated patching and maintenance

The connection we just established gives you full access to monitor and manage these features through familiar Oracle tools.

Security Notes

Remember these security best practices:

• Store wallet files securely – treat them like passwords
• Use different passwords for wallet and database authentication
• Rotate credentials regularly
• Leverage Oracle’s built-in encryption for data in transit

Moving Forward

This connection method works identically whether you’re doing development, running maintenance scripts, or performing full DBA tasks. The beauty of Oracle@GCP is that it handles the infrastructure complexity while giving you the Oracle environment you know.

If you’re considering migrating from on-premises Oracle databases to Oracle@GCP, this simple connection process is just the beginning. The platform offers significant advantages for database administration, from reduced maintenance overhead to improved performance consistency.

Next Steps

Now that you’re connected, consider exploring:

• Autonomous Database performance tuning options
• Automated backup configurations
• Setting up additional user schemas
• Implementing Oracle GoldenGate for real-time replication

The combination of Oracle’s database excellence with Google Cloud’s infrastructure creates a powerful platform for modern database operations. With the connection established, you’re ready to leverage these capabilities for your organization.

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