Yes this is available in 10gR2 using "Secure External Password Store" You may want to read this http://www.oracle-base.com/articles/10g/SecureExternalPasswordStore_10gR2.php in the example the scott user was used. For SYS you should do the following command: $mkstore -wrl $ORACLE_HOME/network/admin “<db connect string>” “SYS” <sys password> This is ideal for hiding your passwords on the RMAN backup scripts and other maintenance operations. - Karl Arao http://karlarao.wordpress.com -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l