Development Tools

SQL Developer User Guide

| Product: SQL Developer

Overview

This guide covers the deployment and use of Oracle SQL Developer on Windows Server using cloudimg AMIs from the AWS Marketplace. SQL Developer is a free integrated development environment (IDE) from Oracle for working with Oracle databases, MySQL, and other SQL databases. It provides a graphical interface for database development, administration, and data modeling.

What's included in this AMI:

  • Oracle SQL Developer (latest version) preinstalled
  • Java Runtime Environment (required by SQL Developer)
  • Desktop shortcut for quick access
  • Windows Server with Remote Desktop access
  • 24/7 cloudimg support with guaranteed 24 hour response SLA

Prerequisites

Before launching this AMI, ensure you have:

  1. An active AWS account
  2. An active subscription to the SQL Developer listing on AWS Marketplace
  3. An EC2 key pair for password decryption
  4. A Remote Desktop client application
  5. An Oracle database or other SQL database to connect to

Recommended Instance Type: t3.medium (2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM) or larger. The minimum requirements are 1 vCPU, 1 GB RAM, and 30 GB disk space.

Step 1: Launch the AMI

  1. Navigate to the AWS Marketplace and search for "SQL Developer cloudimg"
  2. Click Continue to Subscribe, accept the terms, then Continue to Configuration
  3. Select your preferred Region and Software Version
  4. Click Continue to Launch
  5. Choose Launch through EC2 for full control over instance configuration
  6. Select your instance type (t3.medium recommended)
  7. Configure storage: 30 GB gp3 minimum
  8. Configure your Security Group with the following inbound rules:
Port Protocol Source Purpose
3389 TCP Your IP Remote Desktop (RDP) access
  1. Select your EC2 key pair and launch the instance

Step 2: Retrieve the Windows Password

Wait for the EC2 instance to pass 2/2 status checks.

  1. Open the AWS Console and navigate to EC2 > Instances
  2. Select your instance
  3. Click Actions > Security > Get Windows password
  4. Click Browse and upload your EC2 key pair .pem file
  5. Click Decrypt password
  6. Note the Username (Administrator) and the decrypted Password

Important: It may take up to 15 minutes after launch before the Windows password is available.

Step 3: Connect via Remote Desktop

Open your Remote Desktop client:

On Windows: 1. Press Win + R, type mstsc, and press Enter 2. Enter the public IP address of your instance 3. Click Connect

On macOS: 1. Open Microsoft Remote Desktop 2. Click Add PC and enter the public IP address 3. Double click the connection to connect

When prompted: - Username: Administrator - Password: The decrypted value from Step 2

If a certificate warning appears, click Continue to proceed.

Step 4: Launch SQL Developer

Once connected to the Windows desktop, double click the SQL Developer shortcut on the desktop to launch the application.

SQL Developer will open and display the main IDE window with the Connections panel on the left and the worksheet area in the center.

Step 5: Connect to an Oracle Database

  1. In the Connections panel, click the green + icon (New Connection)
  2. Fill in the connection details:
  3. Connection Name: A descriptive name (for example, "Production DB")
  4. Username: Your database username (for example, SYS or SYSTEM)
  5. Password: Your database password
  6. Role: Select SYSDBA if connecting as SYS
  7. Hostname: The IP address or DNS name of your Oracle database server
  8. Port: 1521 (default Oracle listener port)
  9. SID or Service Name: Your database SID or service name
  10. Click Test to verify the connection
  11. If the test succeeds, click Connect

Running SQL Queries

Once connected, you can use the SQL Worksheet to execute queries:

Example: List all tables

SELECT table_name FROM user_tables ORDER BY table_name;

Click the Run Statement button (green play icon) or press Ctrl + Enter to execute.

Example: Check database version

SELECT * FROM v$version;

Example: Show database users

SELECT username, account_status FROM dba_users ORDER BY username;

Additional Features

Export data: 1. Right click a table in the Connections tree 2. Select Export 3. Choose your format (CSV, Excel, SQL Insert, etc.)

Generate DDL scripts: 1. Right click a database object 2. Select Quick DDL to view the CREATE statement

Data modeling: 1. Navigate to File > Data Modeler > Import > Data Dictionary 2. Select your connection and objects to model

Database administration: 1. Navigate to View > DBA to open the DBA panel 2. Add a connection to access administration features

Server Components

Component Version
SQL Developer Latest
Java Runtime Included

Filesystem Layout

Drive Description
C:\ System drive with Windows and SQL Developer installation

Key directories:

Directory Purpose
C:\Program Files\sqldeveloper SQL Developer installation
C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Roaming\SQL Developer User preferences and connections
C:\Users\Administrator\Documents Default location for exported files

Troubleshooting

SQL Developer does not launch

  1. Verify Java is installed: open Command Prompt and type java -version
  2. Check Windows Event Viewer for application errors
  3. Try running SQL Developer from the installation directory

Cannot connect to Oracle database

  1. Verify the database hostname and port are correct
  2. Check that the database security group allows connections on port 1521 from this instance
  3. Verify the SID or Service Name is correct
  4. Test network connectivity: telnet <db-host> 1521
  5. Ensure the Oracle Listener is running on the database server

Connection times out

  1. Check network connectivity between the SQL Developer instance and the database
  2. Verify both instances are in the same VPC or have proper routing
  3. Check security group rules on the database side

Cannot connect via RDP

  1. Verify the instance has passed 2/2 status checks
  2. Check that your security group allows port 3389 from your IP
  3. Wait up to 15 minutes for the Windows password to be available

Security Recommendations

  • Change the Administrator password after first login
  • Restrict RDP access: Only allow port 3389 from your specific IP address
  • Do not store database passwords in saved connections unless encrypted
  • Use SSH tunnels for connecting to databases across networks
  • Launch in the same VPC as your database instances for secure, private connectivity
  • Enable Windows Update: Keep the OS patched with the latest security updates
  • Consider a VPN: For regular access, connect through a VPN rather than exposing RDP directly

Support

If you encounter any issues with this product, contact cloudimg support:

  • Email: support@cloudimg.co.uk
  • Website: www.cloudimg.co.uk
  • Support hours: 24/7 with guaranteed 24 hour response SLA