can u ping the server?(making an assumption here that they allow ping), if that works, its not a network issue. I have seen that error when implementing IP address allow/deny parm in protocol.ora (now in sqlnet.ora). Thanks, Joe --------------------------------------- You can have it: Fast, Right or Cheap, pick 2 of the 3. Fast + Right is Expensive Fast + Cheap will be incorrect. Right + Cheap will take a while. "Rick Ricky" <ricks12345@xxxxxxxxx> Sent by: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 05/30/2008 08:36 AM Please respond to ricks12345@xxxxxxxxx From "Rick Ricky" <ricks12345@xxxxxxxxx> To oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx cc Subject diagnosing db link errors Yesterday I have no problem using a database link. Today I am getting tns errors. I have no access to the DB server (its owned by a different vendor). I have to go through channels to contact them. Is there anything I can do to diagnose whether its a network issue or the database/server is down. This is the oracle error I got. ERROR at line 1: ORA-12560: TNS:protocol adapter error tried tnsping and I could not reach the box. I don't have alot to go on, but I don't want to sit around and wait for a response.