All databases which you want to access must be in the TNSNAMES.ORA on the host from which the request orginates. Just put an entry into your tnsnames.ora for this database. HTH, Ruth -----Original Message----- From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Rusnak, George A. (SEC-Lee) CTR Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2005 11:08 AM To: oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Resolving dblinks One of our databases was started with TNS_ADMIN set to a directory where there was no TNSNAMES.ORA file. Now, when a remote user starts an Sqlplus session and attempts to use a synonym using a dblink, the result is 'ORA-12154: TNS:could not resolve service name'. When I am logged on the host and start an Sqlplus session and use the same synonym, the query works. How is the database link resolved when running on the host as opposed to a session started from a remote user???? Thank you in advance !!! Al Rusnak Oracle Certified Professional DBA - Computer Operations * 804-734-8210 * george.rusnak@xxxxxxxx -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l