global_names param is set to false on both dbs and I tried the create db link with ora1 using 'ora1' as suggested above but still having the same probs.

SQL> select * from scott.emp@ora1;
ORA-12154:TNS could not resolve service name
SQL> select * from [email protected]ox;
ORA-02019:connection description for remote database not found

Using LSNRCTL status I can see the listener is listening for both ora1 and ora2.

My tnsnames.ora file:

ORA2.LINBOX =
(DESCRIPTION =
(ADDRESS_LIST =
(ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = linbox)(PORT = 1521))
)
(CONNECT_DATA =
(SERVICE_NAME = ora2)
)
)

ORA1.LINBOX =
(DESCRIPTION =
(ADDRESS_LIST =
(ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = linbox)(PORT = 1521))
)
(CONNECT_DATA =
(SERVICE_NAME = ora2)
)
)

My sqlnet.ora file:
NAMES.DEFAULT_DOMAIN= localdomain
NAMES.DIRECTORY_PATH= (TNSNAMES)

My listener.ora file:
SID_LIST_ORA1_LIST =
(SID_LIST =
(SID_DESC =
(GLOBAL_DBNAME = ora1.linbox)
(ORACLE_HOME = /u01/apps/oracle/product/8.1.6)
(SID_NAME = ora1)
(SID_DESC =
(GLOBAL_DBNAME = ora2.linbox)
(ORACLE_HOME = /u01/apps/oracle/product/8.1.6)
(SID_NAME = ora2)
)
)

ORA1_LIST =
(DESCRIPTION_LIST =
(DESCRIPTION =
(ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = linbox)((PORT = 1521))
)
(DESCRIPTION =
(ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = IPC)(KEY = EXTPROC))
)
)

init.ora params for ora1 db:
db_name = "ora1"
db_domain = linbox
instance_name = ora1
service_names = ora1
remote_login_passwordfile = exclusive
global_names = false

init.ora params for ora2 db:
db_name = "ora2"
db_domain = linbox
instance_name = ora2
service_names = ora2
remote_login_passwordfile = exclusive
global_names = false

Both dbs are on the same machine and I want to be able to access on db from another. Are there any other parameters I need to consider? It seems like it should be a very simple thing but I'm stumped.