Sqlnet.ora doesn't seem to be read since oci8 1.3.4

Question

Hello,
I used to use oci8 version 1.2.3 and I wanted to update to last version (1.3.4). Everything works fine except the fact that "sqlnet.ora" does not seems to be read anymore.
I use the following string to describe my database in oci_connect: "MEN1PRD".
In sqlnet.ora there is the parameter NAMES.DEFAULT_DOMAIN which is set to "WORLD".
In the tnsname.ora I have a full definition for "MEN1PRD.WORLD".
With oci8 1.2.3, it worked but since I upgraded to 1.3.4 this is not the case anymore. I have to use the same ID in oci_connect and tnsname.org. The sqlnet.ora NAMES.DEFAULT_DOMAIN does not seem to be used anymore.
The version of php (5.2.3) is still the same, the configure options are the sames, the oracle lib is the same (9.2) and the php.ini parameters are the same too. I just changed the oci8 version.
Has anyone the same problem ? Is this a normal behaviour ? If yes, why
and is there a workaround ?
Thanks for your answers.
++ Jerome
Reproduce code:
Piece of code which used to work (version 1.2.3) and doesn't work
anymore (version 1.3.4):
$conn = oci_connect('EDUCATION', 'manager', 'MEN1PRD');
Piece of code which works (version 1.3.4):
$conn = oci_connect('EDUCATION', 'manager', 'MEN1PRD.WORLD');
Content of sqlnet.ora (which is in the same directory as tnsname.ora):
NAMES.DIRECTORY_PATH= (TNSNAMES, ONAMES, HOSTNAME)
NAMES.DEFAULT_DOMAIN = WORLD
LOG_DIRECTORY_SERVER = /var/tmp
Contenat of tnsname.ora
MEN1PRD_RAC =
( DESCRIPTION =
( ADDRESS = ( PROTOCOL = TCP )( HOST = host1 )( PORT = 1521 ) )
( ADDRESS = ( PROTOCOL = TCP )( HOST = host2 )( PORT = 1521 ) )
( LOAD_BALANCE = yes )
( CONNECT_DATA =
( SERVER = DEDICATED )
( SERVICE_NAME = SN_MEN1PRD )
Init script:
export ORACLE_HOME=/usr/local/oracle/VERSIONS/Linux/CL.9.2.0
PATH=$PATH:$ORACLE_HOME/bin:$ORACLE_HOME/network/admin:$ORACLE_HOME/lib:/usr/local/bin
export ORACLE_SID=MEN1PRD
export HOSTNAME=`hostname`
export NLS_LANG=FRENCH_FRANCE.WE8ISO8859P15
export LC_ALL=fr_FR
export LANG=fr_FR
Expected result:
The connexion is made to the database
Actual result:
[Mon Feb 16 18:05:14 2009] [error] [client 127.0.0.1] PHP Warning:
oci_connect() [function.oci-connect]:
ORA-12154: TNS:could not resolve service name in /var/www/docs/test1.php
on line 2

Answer 1

See http://pecl.php.net/bugs/bug.php?id=15988 It's a problem with 9.2 - 10.2.0.3, fixed in 10.2.0.4
Discussions about best solution is ongoing; currently centering around not using session pooling code path in PHP OCI8 when using Oracle prior to 11.