You could also create a db link that doesn't require tnsnames.ora. create database link dbtest connect to scott identified by tiger using '(description=(address=(protocol=tcp)(host=dcutil)(port=1521))(connect_data=(sid=dv08)))' Possible, but not normally recommended as it is somewhat inflexible. Jared On Fri, 25 Feb 2005 12:45:59 -0000, Paul Vincent <Paul.Vincent@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: > (Reposted - previous post had wrong subject line. Sorry!) > > I'm trying to create a db link from a 9i database to an 8i database on > another server. I've edited the tnsnames.ora file for the 9i database, > adding an entry for the 8i database, and created the link on the 9i > database, using OEM. But when I test the link in OEM (by clicking > "Test"), the alert box tells me the link is not active. Do I need to > bounce the 9i database so that it picks up the altered tnsnames.ora > file? That is, does Oracle only scan the tnsnames.ora file at startup, > or should it look afresh at the tnsnames.ora file each time name > resolution is required? > > Thanks, > > Paul Vincent > DBA > University of Central England > -- > //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l > -- Jared Still Certifiable Oracle DBA and Part Time Perl Evangelist -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l