All, I have the following query in a stored package: select 1 into loc_variables from dual@databaselink <mailto:dual@databaselink> ; What I am doing is checking the availabilty of the remote database periodically. The bad news is that we sometimes have network problems. If the above would fail, then I trap the error and move on. But sometimes, it is just painfully slow (like it doesn't fail but hangs for a long time). Is there some way I can put a timer on the above that says if it can't complete the query in 10 seconds, then fail? thanks Tom Mercadante Oracle Certified Professional ---------------------------------------------------------------- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.com ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe send email to: oracle-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx put 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. -- Archives are at //www.freelists.org/archives/oracle-l/ FAQ is at //www.freelists.org/help/fom-serve/cache/1.html -----------------------------------------------------------------