in reply to Issues with DBD::Oracle and an apache environment
If you are using the Oracle instant client, make sure LD_LIBRARY_PATH is set, otherwise, make sure ORACLE_HOME is set.
If the database is on the same box and you are not connecting through a listener, make sure ORACLE_SID is set (not the case for you). If you are connecting using an Oracle listener (which is your case as the database is on another box), make sure TNS_ADMIN is set.
Update
TNS_ADMIN should point to your connectivity file(s) -- tnsnames.ora (tnsnav.ora, sqlnet.ora, protocol.ora)
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