Connect to Oracle using SystemDNS?

[gdrenfrew]

Hello,

I've trawled the forums but haven't been able to find an answer.

I'm trying to connect my C# windows app to an Oracle database.

Is it possible to connect to an Oracle database without having the Oracle Client software installed on the client PC?

If I use System.Data.OracleClient, as I understand it, I need to use the client's TNSNAMES.ora to connect to the database. This connection string works ok: OracleConnection oraConn = new OracleConnection("Data Source=TRINITY_UAT1.SMG;User ID=system;Password=trinity;");
but I'd prefer not to install Oracle Client on the machine that will eventually host my app.

I'm having trouble connecting with odbc. eg,
System.Data.Odbc.OdbcConnection("Provider=MSDASQL.1;Data Source=Trinity_UAT1;User ID=system;Password=xxxx;");
gives me the error ERROR IM0002 Data source name not found an no default driver specified

I can extract the connection from the SystemDNS on the client - is it possible to use this information to connect to the Oracle database?

Thanks