How Can I Fix the Ora 29273 HTTP Request Failed Error?
Encountering the error message ORA-29273: HTTP request failed can be a frustrating experience for database administrators and developers alike. This Oracle error typically arises when attempts to make HTTP calls from within the database—often through PL/SQL packages like UTL_HTTP—do not succeed as expected. Understanding the root causes and implications of this error is crucial for maintaining seamless communication between your Oracle database and external web services or APIs.
In today’s interconnected digital landscape, databases frequently interact with web resources to fetch data, trigger workflows, or integrate with third-party services. When an ORA-29273 error occurs, it signals a breakdown in this communication channel, which can disrupt business processes and application functionality. While the error message itself might seem straightforward, the underlying reasons can be varied, ranging from network issues and configuration problems to security restrictions.
This article will guide you through the essentials of the ORA-29273 error, shedding light on why HTTP requests from Oracle might fail and what general approaches can help you diagnose and address the issue. Whether you’re a seasoned DBA or a developer working with Oracle’s web integration features, gaining a solid grasp of this error is the first step toward ensuring reliable and efficient database-driven web interactions.
Common Causes of Ora 29273 Http Request Failed
The `Ora 29273 Http Request Failed` error typically arises from issues during Oracle’s UTL_HTTP package operations, which are designed to enable PL/SQL to make HTTP calls. Understanding the root causes is essential for effective troubleshooting.
One primary cause is network connectivity problems. If the database server cannot reach the target URL due to firewalls, proxy configurations, or DNS resolution failures, the HTTP request will fail.
Security restrictions within the Oracle environment also play a significant role. Since Oracle 11g, the `UTL_HTTP` package requires explicit access control via Access Control Lists (ACLs). Without appropriate ACL grants, HTTP calls are blocked, resulting in the error.
SSL/TLS configuration issues can trigger this error when making HTTPS requests. Problems such as missing or invalid wallet files, expired certificates, or unsupported cipher suites can prevent successful SSL handshakes.
Incorrect usage of the UTL_HTTP API, including malformed URLs or unsupported HTTP methods, might also cause the request to fail.
Key contributing factors include:
- Network firewall or proxy blocking outbound HTTP/HTTPS traffic.
- Missing or incorrectly configured Oracle Access Control Lists (ACLs).
- SSL/TLS wallet misconfiguration or certificate issues.
- DNS resolution failures on the database server.
- Malformed HTTP requests or invalid URLs.
- Insufficient privileges for the database user.
How to Troubleshoot Ora 29273 Http Request Failed
Troubleshooting this error involves a systematic approach to isolate and resolve the underlying cause. The following steps provide a framework for diagnosis:
- Verify Network Connectivity: Use tools like `ping`, `tnsping`, or `curl` from the database server host to confirm the target URL is reachable.
- Check Oracle ACL Configuration: Ensure that the database user has the necessary privileges to access the HTTP service. Use the `DBMS_NETWORK_ACL_ADMIN` package to review and grant required privileges.
- Inspect SSL Wallet and Certificates: For HTTPS requests, verify the Oracle wallet is correctly created and referenced. Check for valid certificates and proper wallet permissions.
- Review HTTP Request Syntax: Confirm that the URL and HTTP method conform to expected formats.
- Examine Database and Listener Logs: Look for detailed error messages that can provide clues about the failure.
Implementing these checks often reveals the cause, allowing targeted remediation.
Oracle ACL Configuration for UTL_HTTP
Oracle Access Control Lists (ACLs) control network access for database users executing UTL_HTTP calls. Without proper ACL setup, HTTP requests will fail with errors like `Ora 29273`.
The following table summarizes essential ACL components and corresponding actions:
| ACL Component | Description | Command Example |
|---|---|---|
| ACL Creation | Creates the ACL file in the Oracle network repository |
DBMS_NETWORK_ACL_ADMIN.CREATE_ACL('http_acl.xml', 'HTTP Access', 'username', TRUE, 'connect')
|
| Assign ACL to Host | Assigns ACL to a specific host or domain |
DBMS_NETWORK_ACL_ADMIN.ASSIGN_ACL('http_acl.xml', 'example.com')
|
| Grant Additional Privileges | Adds privileges like resolve, use etc. |
DBMS_NETWORK_ACL_ADMIN.ADD_PRIVILEGE('http_acl.xml', 'username', TRUE, 'resolve')
|
| Check Assigned ACLs | Lists current ACL assignments |
SELECT * FROM DBA_NETWORK_ACLS;
|
After modifying ACLs, it is necessary to commit the changes:
“`sql
COMMIT;
“`
Proper ACL setup ensures that the database user can perform HTTP requests without permission errors.
SSL Wallet Setup for HTTPS Requests
When making HTTPS requests through UTL_HTTP, Oracle requires an SSL wallet containing trusted certificates to establish secure connections. If this wallet is missing or improperly configured, `Ora 29273` errors will occur.
Steps to create and configure an Oracle wallet include:
- Use the `orapki` utility to create a wallet directory.
- Add trusted certificates (e.g., root CA certificates) to the wallet.
- Set wallet password and permissions.
- Configure the Oracle wallet location in the database via initialization parameters or directly in the PL/SQL code.
Example command to create a wallet:
“`bash
orapki wallet create -wallet /path/to/wallet -pwd YourWalletPassword -auto_login
“`
Add a trusted certificate:
“`bash
orapki wallet add -wallet /path/to/wallet -trusted_cert -cert /path/to/cacert.pem -pwd YourWalletPassword
“`
In PL/SQL, set wallet location before making the HTTP request:
“`plsql
UTL_HTTP.SET_WALLET(‘file:/path/to/wallet’, ‘YourWalletPassword’);
“`
Ensuring correct wallet configuration is vital for successful HTTPS communication via UTL_HTTP.
Additional Tips for Resolving Ora 29273
Beyond ACLs and SSL wallets, consider these practical measures:
- Increase UTL_HTTP Timeout: Network latency may cause premature failures. Adjust timeout parameters using `UTL_HTTP.SET_TRANSFER_TIMEOUT`.
- Enable Detailed Logging: Use Oracle’s diagnostic features to capture verbose HTTP request and response data.
- Test with Simplified Requests: Use basic HTTP GET calls to isolate issues.
- Verify Proxy Settings: If a proxy is used, configure it correctly in UTL_HTTP with `SET_PROXY
Understanding the Causes of Ora 29273 Http Request Failed
The Oracle error `ORA-29273: HTTP request failed` typically occurs when attempting to use the UTL_HTTP package to make HTTP or HTTPS requests from within the database. The failure indicates that the HTTP call did not complete successfully due to one or more underlying issues. Understanding these causes is crucial for diagnosing and resolving the error efficiently.
Common causes include:
- Network Connectivity Issues: The database server may not be able to reach the target URL due to network outages, firewall restrictions, or DNS resolution problems.
- Invalid or Untrusted SSL Certificates: When making HTTPS requests, Oracle requires that the SSL certificate chain be trusted by the wallet configured for UTL_HTTP, otherwise, the connection will fail.
- Incorrect ACL (Access Control List) Settings: Oracle uses ACLs to restrict network access from PL/SQL. If the ACL does not permit the database user to connect to the remote host or port, the request will be denied.
- Misconfiguration of Oracle Wallet: For HTTPS requests, Oracle requires a properly configured wallet containing trusted certificates. A missing or misconfigured wallet causes SSL handshake failures.
- Timeouts or Server Unavailability: The remote server may be down, slow to respond, or timing out, leading to the failure of the HTTP request within Oracle.
- Malformed HTTP Requests or URLs: Syntax errors in the URL or improper HTTP headers can cause the request to be rejected or fail.
Diagnosing the Root Cause of the ORA-29273 Error
A systematic approach to diagnosis helps isolate the exact cause of the failure:
| Diagnostic Step | Method | Expected Findings |
|---|---|---|
| Test Network Reachability | From the database server, ping or traceroute the target URL’s host. | Successful ping/traceroute confirms network connectivity. |
| Check ACL Permissions | Query DBA_NETWORK_ACLS and DBA_NETWORK_ACL_PRIVILEGES views to verify user has access to the host and port. | User must have connect privilege on the URL host and port. |
| Verify Oracle Wallet | Check wallet location and contents using orapki utility or wallet viewer. | Wallet must include trusted root and intermediate certificates for HTTPS host. |
| Review SSL Handshake Logs | Enable UTL_HTTP debugging or Oracle Net tracing to capture SSL handshake errors. | Errors such as “certificate unknown” or “handshake failure” indicate SSL problems. |
| Inspect URL and HTTP Request | Verify URL syntax and HTTP headers in the PL/SQL code. | Correctly formatted URL and headers are essential for successful requests. |
| Evaluate Server Response | Use external tools like curl or Postman to test the URL outside Oracle. | Server should respond with expected status codes and content. |
Configuring Oracle Network ACLs to Allow HTTP Requests
Oracle Database 11g and later uses Access Control Lists (ACLs) to restrict network interactions from PL/SQL. Without proper ACL configuration, UTL_HTTP calls will fail with ORA-29273.
Key steps to configure ACLs:
- Create or Locate an ACL: Define an ACL or identify an existing one that governs the target host or network.
- Assign Privileges: Grant connect privileges to the database user or role that executes the HTTP request.
- Bind ACL to Host/Port: Specify the host and port range to which the ACL applies.
- Commit Changes: Save changes to the ACL configuration.
Example PL/SQL to create and assign an ACL:
“`sql
BEGIN
DBMS_NETWORK_ACL_ADMIN.create_acl(
acl => ‘http_acl.xml’,
description => ‘Allow HTTP access’,
principal => ‘MY_DB_USER’,
is_grant => TRUE,
privilege => ‘connect’
);
DBMS_NETWORK_ACL_ADMIN.assign_acl(
acl => ‘http_acl.xml’,
host => ‘example.com’,
lower_port => 80,
upper_port => 80
);
COMMIT;
END;
/
“`
To verify ACLs:
“`sql
SELECT acl, principal, privilege, host, lower_port, upper_port
FROM dba_network_acls a
JOIN dba_network_acl_privileges p ON a.acl = p.acl;
“`
Setting Up Oracle Wallet for Secure HTTPS Requests
For HTTPS requests, Oracle requires an Oracle Wallet that contains trusted certificates to validate the SSL connection. Without this, the HTTP request will fail with ORA-29273 due to SSL handshake errors.
Steps to configure an Oracle Wallet:
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|