Oracle Client Connecting to Database without tnsnames.ora file

[rswamin]

Hello

I ve installed oracle client in one of my desktop . i made entries in the tnsnames,.ora file for the connect string and the connection was thro and working perfectly. now i deleted the tnsnames.ora file from the machine and still iam able to connect to the database from the client machine with the same connect string but iam not able to connect using any othe connect string value.

how does a client connect to the server without referring to the tnsnames.ora file. is there any other file which it could refer to .pls clarify me on this.

thanks in advance
rswamin

[zainalj]

maybe u r using names server

[mrchrispy]

you havent a tnsnames file in you current working dir have you?

you'll find that it'll use that before it goes to the 'correct' file in %ORACLE_HOME%/network/admin (windows....im not sure about unix) so even if you delete the original it use the local file just to screw with your head.

[KenEwald]

Here's one approach.

Do you have a sqlnet.ora file anywhere on your client?

If so, look for the parameter NAMES.DIRECTORY_PATH

It may look something like this: NAMES.DIRECTORY_PATH=(tnsnames, ldap)

It specifies what to use for name (connection info) resolution and in what order to use it.

It might be helpful to run netca and netmgr and see what Oracle think's it's got - that is, if you don't want to do a manual configuration of name resolution.

Sucks, don't it. This could be made a ton easier.