My database "users" are actually Application Schemas. End-users do not have database accounts. Database Links are requested by the Application Teams to "connect" two databases running different applications. Neither do I have the same username nor do I expect the same username present in the two databases. I setup a specific account with privileges only on a subset of tables/objects in the remote database to be used for the DBLink. Hemant At 09:57 AM Thursday, Hollis, Les wrote: >You don't use a userid/password > >Create public database link PROD using 'PROD'; > > > >If the user exists on source database and the destination database, then >statements will work. If user id does not match across DB's then they >don't have any perms. > >Access to tables can be granted just like in the same DB. Grant select, >insert on tablename to username. Etc > Hemant K Chitale http://web.singnet.com.sg/~hkchital -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l