Oracle external user authentication!!!

Oracle Windows uses external authentication (ops$) such that the Operating System user ID manages the authentication. Once logged-on to the OS, you can enter Oracle directly without additional authentication.

CREATE USER OPS$SCOTT IDENTIFIED BY TIGER;

OR

CREATE USER OPS$SCOTT IDENTIFIED EXTERNALLY;

Assuming that Scott has logged onto the operating system,
Scott could enter SQL*Plus with or without a password:

sqlplus /
sqlplus scott/tiger

Create Oracle External users in Windows
================================
External users are easy to create in Linux because you need only create the user in /etc/passwd. It's a bit trickier in Windows:

1. Create the Windows user:
start --> settings --> control panel --> administrative tools --> computer management --> user
2. Add the new user to the Oracle group:
start --> settings --> control panel --> administrative tools --> computer management --> groups
3. Add user to OS Database Administrator:
start --> programs --> oracle home --> configuration and migration tools --> administration for windows NT --> OS database administrator
4. Add user to OS Database Operators:
start --> programs --> oracle home --> configuration and migration tools --> administration for windows NT --> OS database operators
5. Add user to OS Administrator:
start --> programs --> oracle home --> configuration and migration tools --> administration for windows NT --> OS administrator
6. Add user to OS Operators:
start --> programs --> oracle home --> configuration and migration tools --> administration for windows NT --> OS operators
7. Add os_authent_prefix=OPS$ to your initialization parameters (pfile or spfile) and bounce Oracle database, if necessary.
This should allow for Oracle Windows external user authentication.
http://www.dba-oracle.com/t_windows_external_user_authentication.htm

System is running in 32-bit or 64-bit?

Microsoft Windows
Click Start, and then click Run.
Type winmsd.exe, and then click OK.
When System Summary is selected in the navigation pane, locate Processor under Item in the details pane. Note the value.
If the value that corresponds to Processor starts with x86, the computer is running a 32-bit version of the Windows operating system.
If the value that corresponds to Processor starts with ia64 or AMD64, the computer is running a 64-bit version of the Windows operating system
--------------------------OR-------------------------------------------
Click Start, and then click Run.
Type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK.
Click the General tab. The operating system appears as follows:
For a 64-bit version operating system: Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Version <> appears under System.
For a 32-bit version operating system: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Version appears under System.


IBM-AIX
getconf -a grep KERN

HP-UX
getconf KERNEL_BITS

Linux
uname -a