Does the SID of a database ALWAYS register itself with the listener even if the service_name parameter is set to a different name than the SID? I have this configuration : FINNTEST> show parameter local NAME TYPE VALUE ------------------------------------ ----------- ------------------------------ local_listener string FINNTESTSB FINNTEST> show parameter service NAME TYPE VALUE ------------------------------------ ----------- ------------------------------ service_names string FINNTESTSB.CEG.CORP.NET listener.ora : FINNTESTSB = (DESCRIPTION_LIST = (DESCRIPTION = (ADDRESS_LIST = (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = v240-msw-14.ceg.corp.net)(PORT = 1557)) ) ) ) and get this : lsnrctl stat FINNTESTSB LSNRCTL for Solaris: Version 10.2.0.3.0 - Production on 25-FEB-2008 16:04:09 Copyright (c) 1991, 2006, Oracle. All rights reserved. Connecting to (DESCRIPTION=(ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=TCP)(HOST= v240-msw-14.ceg.corp.net)(PORT=1557))) STATUS of the LISTENER ------------------------ Alias FINNTESTSB Version TNSLSNR for Solaris: Version 10.2.0.3.0 - Production Start Date 25-FEB-2008 15:21:44 Uptime 0 days 0 hr. 42 min. 25 sec Trace Level off Security ON: Local OS Authentication SNMP OFF Listener Parameter File /oracle/network/ladmin/listener.ora Listener Log File /oracle/product/10.2.0.3/network/log/finntestsb.log Listening Endpoints Summary... (DESCRIPTION=(ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=tcp)(HOST=v240-msw-14.ceg.corp.net )(PORT=1557))) Services Summary... Service "FINNTEST.CEG.CORP.NET" has 1 instance(s). Instance "FINNTEST", status READY, has 1 handler(s) for this service... Service "FINNTESTSB.CEG.CORP.NET" has 1 instance(s). Instance "FINNTEST", status READY, has 1 handler(s) for this service... The command completed successfully Is there a way to get rid of the SID registration? Finn