Using Service Names


This section contains instructions for using the Oracle Net8 Assistant to configure locally defined service names (i.e., for configuring a TNSNAMES.ORA file). Service Names are simple, easy to remember names commonly used to specify the identity and location of database services on a network.

Click on any one of the following to learn more about:

Note: You can also use the Oracle Net8 Assistant to configure service names using Oracle Names. Larger networks that change on a frequent basis may benefit from storing their service name information with Oracle Names. For more information, click on "Using Oracle Names Servers".

Configuring a Service Name

Database services coordinate their sessions with the help of a network listener. A listener is a process that is started specifically to receive and respond to client connection requests for a database service.

When you are configuring a service name, you will need to specify both the address of each listener for that service, and the system identifier or SID Name for that particular database instance. The listening address is defined by a protocol and other protocol specific parameters. To configure a service name:

  1. Double-click on the Service Names folder in the left hand side screen; or select "Open Network Configuration..." from the FILE menu. If you selected "Open Network Configuration...", you may either browse or enter the name of the service name file.

  2. Click on the + icon on the tool bar; or select "Create" from the EDIT menu.

  3. Follow the instructions provided in the Oracle Service Name Wizard.

  4. Select Save Network Configuration from the FILE menu to save service names created.

  5. Select Save As from the FILE menu to save service names created under a different file name.

Back to "Oracle Net8 Assistant HELP Contents"

Back to "Using Service Names"

Testing Service Name Connectivity

To test that you can connect to a database defined by a service name:

  1. Double-click on the Service Names folder in the left hand side screen; or select "Open Network Configuration..." from the FILE menu. If you selected "Open Network Configuration...", you may either browse or enter the name of the service name file.

  2. Click on an existing Service Name file in the Service Names folder in the left hand side screen.

  3. Select Test Service Name Connectivity from the TOOLS menu; or click on the Test button.

You can also test service name connectivity from the Oracle Service Name Wizard.

Back to "Oracle Net8 Assistant HELP Contents"

Back to "Using Service Names"

Modifying an Existing Service Name

To modify an existing service name:

  1. Double-click on the Service Names folder in the left hand side screen; or select "Open Network Configuration..." from the FILE menu. If you selected "Open Network Configuration...", you may either browse or enter the name of the service name file.

  2. Click on an existing Service Name file in the Service Names folder in the left hand side screen.

  3. Edit the applicable parameters in the right hand side tab panel.

  4. Select Save Network Configuration from the FILE menu to save any modifications made to existing service names.

  5. Select Save As from the FILE menu to save any modifications made to existing service names under a different file name.

  6. Select Revert to Saved Configuration from the FILE menu to undo any modifications made to existing service names and to restore last saved configuration.

Back to "Oracle Net8 Assistant HELP Contents"

Back to "Using Service Names"

Deleting a Service Name

To delete a service name:

  1. Click on an existing Service Name file in the Service Names folder in the left hand side screen.

  2. Click on the Delete icon on the tool bar; or select "Delete" from the EDIT menu.

  3. Select Save Network Configuration from the FILE menu to save any deletions made to existing service names.

  4. Select Save As from the FILE menu to save any deletions made to existing service names under a different file name.

  5. Select Revert to Saved Configuration from the FILE menu to undo any deletions made to existing service names and to restore last saved configuration.

Back to "Oracle Net8 Assistant HELP Contents"

Back to "Using Service Names"

New Address

A database instance may be supported by more than one listener. To add a listening address to an existing service name:

  1. Click on an existing Service Name file in the Service Names folder in the left hand side screen.

  2. Click on the "New Address" button on the Address tab panel.

  3. Specify the network protocol using the pull down menu. You may choose from either TCP/IP, SPX, or Named Pipes.

  4. Enter values for any protocol-specific parameters.

  5. Enter the name of the system identifier (SID).

  6. Select Save Network Configuration from the FILE menu to save new addresses made to existing service names.

  7. Select Save As from the FILE menu to save new addresses to existing service names under a different file name.

  8. Select Revert to Saved Configuration from the FILE menu to undo adding new addresses to existing service names and to restore last saved configuration.

Back to "Oracle Net8 Assistant HELP Contents"

Back to "Using Service Names"

Delete Address

You may delete a service name address only if more than one service name address has been configured. To delete a service name address:

  1. Click on an existing Service Name file in the Service Names folder in the left hand side screen.

  2. Click on the applicable service name address.

  3. Click on the "Delete Address" button.

  4. Select Save Network Configuration from the FILE menu to save any modifications made to existing service names.

  5. Select Save As from the FILE menu to save any modifications made to existing service names under a different file name.

  6. Select Revert to Saved Configuration from the FILE menu to undo any modifications made to existing service names and to restore last saved configuration.

Back to "Oracle Net8 Assistant HELP Contents"

Back to "Using Service Names"

Advanced

To configure advanced options for a service name address, such as specifying the global database name, session data unit size or a source route address:

  1. Click on the applicable service name address.

  2. Click on the "Advanced..." button.

Back to "Oracle Net8 Assistant HELP Contents"

Back to "Using Service Names"

For more information, click on "Advanced Options".

Oracle Net8 Assistant HELP

Oracle Net8 Assistant HELP