Connections, adapters, and connectivity agents
Domain 2 - Connections, adapters, and connectivity agents
This domain tests whether you can create a reusable connection, choose the correct adapter, secure it, and reach endpoints that are not public. Questions often hinge on connection role, agent groups, and what a connection test actually proves.
Core rules
- A connection binds an adapter, an endpoint, security credentials, and properties. It is separate from the integration that uses it, so one connection can serve many integrations.
- The adapter determines the protocol and the shape of the trigger or invoke. REST and SOAP adapters expose web-service endpoints; file and FTP adapters handle files; database adapters use JDBC; JMS and Kafka adapters use messaging; SaaS adapters use application-specific APIs.
- Not every adapter supports both roles. A file adapter may be used as a trigger to pick up a file or as an invoke to write one; a REST adapter can be either, depending on configuration.
- For on-premises systems, install a connectivity agent in the customer network and place it in an agent group. The agent opens outbound TLS to Oracle Integration; no inbound port is required. Associate the connection with the agent group.
- Test the connection after saving. A successful test shows reachability and authentication at that moment, not that every operation or payload will succeed.
Worked example
An on-premises Oracle Database must be updated by a cloud integration. Create a Database connection, enter the JDBC URL, select the agent group that contains the on-premises agent, and store the database credential. Use the connection as an invoke, then map the update. If the agent is installed but not in the selected group, the test fails even though the database is reachable from the agent host.
Traps
Do not use a cloud host name for an on-premises endpoint. Do not assume one agent is highly available; use an agent group. Do not treat a connection test as an end-to-end test, and do not expect credentials to travel in an export.