Why would an anonymous pl/sql block being run from within sqlplus be trying to send an email. I have an exception block that I commented out and that appears to have been what was causing it but if the pl/sql never enters the exception block, why would it even matter. plsql_debug = FALSE plsql_code_type = NATIVE plsql_compiler_flags = NATIVE, NON_DEBUG plsql_warnings = DISABLE:ALL DECLARE ... BEGIN ... EXCEPTION WHEN OTHERS THEN Yah, yah, I know this is poor practice. dbms_output.put_line('.'||SQLCODE - SQLERRM); END; / open_connection --------------- code = 220 text = mail.somecompany.com Microsoft ESMTP MAIL Service, Version: 5.0.2195.7381 ready at Wed, 2 Jun 2010 11:38:26 -0500 help ---- code = 214 text = This server supports the following commands: code = 214 text = HELO EHLO STARTTLS RCPT DATA RSET MAIL QUIT HELP AUTH TURN ATRN ETRN BDAT VRFY helo ---- code = 250 text = mail.somecompany.com Hello [10.5.90.221] code = 250 text = TURN code = 250 text = ATRN code = 250 text = SIZE code = 250 text = ETRN code = 250 text = PIPELINING code = 250 text = DSN code = 250 text = ENHANCEDSTATUSCODES code = 250 text = 8bitmime code = 250 text = BINARYMIME code = 250 text = CHUNKING code = 250 text = VRFY code = 250 text = X-EXPS GSSAPI NTLM LOGIN code = 250 text = X-EXPS=LOGIN code = 250 text = AUTH GSSAPI NTLM LOGIN code = 250 text = AUTH=LOGIN code = 250 text = X-LINK2STATE code = 250 text = XEXCH50 code = 250 text = OK mail ---- code = 250 text = 2.1.0 MYDB@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx OK rcpt ---- code = 250 text = 2.1.5 dbadmin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx open_data --------- code = 354 text = Start mail input; end with <CRLF>.<CRLF> close_data ---------- code = 250 text = 2.6.0 <EXCH130kkZIhTrBoe4I987479b@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Queued mail for delivery quit ---- code = 221 text = 2.0.0 mail.somecompany.com Service closing transmission channel ... WGB - This email and any information, files, or materials transmitted with it are confidential and are solely for the use of the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, please delete it and notify the sender.