Windows is the same as unix for using sqlplus to connect. From the Windows box just do: Sqlplus> connect user/pass@MYDATABASE Just make sure that @MYDATABASE is either registered in LDAP or in your TNSNAMES.ora and that those files are in the correct spot on your Windows box. (As well as sqlnet.ora and ldap.ora if using ldap) When you are saying: I set the SID and enter Sqlplus /nolog SQL>connect /as sysdba It sounds like you are trying to connect to something locally which is confusing because you asked to connect from windows to unix. From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Zelli, Brian Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2014 2:26 PM To: oracle-l (oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx) Subject: connect from windows Ok, I am trying to connect from windows to unix with sqlplus from the command line. I set the SID and enter Sqlplus /nolog SQL>connect /as sysdba Gets me the ORA-12560:TNS:protocol adapter error Why doesn't this work? I've been googling and come up empty. Is there any way to get this to work? Brian This email message may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient(s), or the employee or agent responsible for the delivery of this message to the intended recipient(s), you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of this email message is prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by e-mail and delete this email message from your computer. Thank you. -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l