Load Balance config from 9iAS to RAC

We are configuring 9iAS with RAC and I recently learned that J2EE .ear files do not use tnsnames to contact and create sessions in the database. Rather a config file called data_source.xml is used instead.

My problem is my understanding that tnsnames.ora is used to configure load balancing (and failover) to the two database nodes. But tnsnames.ora is not used with .ear files.

Does anyone have any experience/insight to this?

Much thanks,
Frank

perhaps a 3rd party load balancer like from F5, have u lookined into that? I believe the run around $30,000 +