db_links not working

[giddy]

hi ALL,

Is there any reason why my db_link is not working between PROD and TEST, I keep getting :TNS error: service name cannot be resolved...which I dont understand as I have entries for both instances in the tnsnames.ora and located in the right place $ORACLE_HOME/network.
the link is from prod to test for a particular schema...DO I have to go into test to create this.

please help..

[sai_sathish]

Can you try to tnsping your test database from your production machine. Give the results here.

[giddy]

yes it worked from both mu C drive and unix

TNS Ping Utility for IBM/AIX RISC System/6000: Version 8.1.7.1.0 - Production on 05-FEB-2003 09:22:43

(c) Copyright 1997 Oracle Corporation. All rights reserved.

Attempting to contact (ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=TCP)(HOST=tracks)(PORT=1523))

OK (70 msec)
and I can even connect from sqlplus on prod to test...
using
connect username/password@test.

[Denzil]

A long shot here, try changing SERVICE_NAME to SID in the TNSNAMES file in $ORACLE_HOME/network/admin

[agasimani]

Make sure GLOBAL_NAMES=false. If not then:

alter system set global_names=false;

[giddy]

yep,
its worked ....my last bit in the create syntax "using test.world" was wrong so I dropped db link and created it as "using test" without the world...
the service name in the tnsnames.ora was test and not test.world
this worked eventually, its very much annoying for such little stuff to bugger the mind.
thanks everyone.