Sometimes I get Oracle connection problems because I can't figure out which tnsnames.ora file my database client is using.
What's the best way to figure this out? ++happy for various platform solutions.
Oracle provides a utility called tnsping:
R:\>tnsping someconnection
TNS Ping Utility for 32-bit Windows: Version 9.0.1.3.1 - Production on 27-AUG-20
08 10:38:07
Copyright (c) 1997 Oracle Corporation. All rights reserved.
Used parameter files:
C:\Oracle92\network\ADMIN\sqlnet.ora
C:\Oracle92\network\ADMIN\tnsnames.ora
TNS-03505: Failed to resolve name
R:\>
R:\>tnsping entpr01
TNS Ping Utility for 32-bit Windows: Version 9.0.1.3.1 - Production on 27-AUG-20
08 10:39:22
Copyright (c) 1997 Oracle Corporation. All rights reserved.
Used parameter files:
C:\Oracle92\network\ADMIN\sqlnet.ora
C:\Oracle92\network\ADMIN\tnsnames.ora
Used TNSNAMES adapter to resolve the alias
Attempting to contact (DESCRIPTION = (ADDRESS_LIST = (ADDRESS = (COMMUNITY = **)
(PROTOCOL = TCP) (Host = ****) (Port = 1521))) (CONNECT_DATA = (SID = ENTPR0
1)))
OK (40 msec)
R:\>
This should show what file you're using. The utility sits in the Oracle bin directory.
For linux:
$ strace sqlplus -L scott/tiger#orcl 2>&1| grep -i 'open.*tnsnames.ora'
shows something like this:
open("/opt/oracle/product/10.2.0/db_1/network/admin/tnsnames.ora",O_RDONLY)=7
Changing to
$ strace sqlplus -L scott/tiger#orcl 2>&1| grep -i 'tnsnames.ora'
will show all the file paths that are failing.
There is another place where the TNS location is stored: If you're using Windows, open regedit and navigate to My HKEY Local Machine/Software/ORACLE/KEY_OraClient10_home1 where KEY_OraClient10_home1 is your Oracle home. If there is a string entry called TNS_ADMIN, then the value of that entry will point to the TNS file that Oracle is using on your computer.
On my development machine I have three different versions of Oracle client software. I manage the tnsnames.ora file in one of them. In the other two, I have entered in the tnsnames.ora file:
ifile=path_to_tnsnames.ora_file/tnsnames.ora
This way, if for some reason the wrong tnsnames.ora file is used by a client, it will always end up at the up-to-date version.
Codeslave asks "Shouldn't it always be "$ORACLE_ HOME/network/admin/tnsnames.ora"? The answer is no, it isn't. Consider these two invocations of tnsping on the same machine:
C:\Documents and Settings\me>D:\Oracle\10.2.0_DB\BIN\tnsping orcl
TNS Ping Utility for 32-bit Windows: Version 10.2.0.4.0 - Production on 09-OCT-2
008 14:30:12
Copyright (c) 1997, 2007, Oracle. All rights reserved.
Used parameter files:
D:\Oracle\10.2.0_DB\network\admin\sqlnet.ora
Used TNSNAMES adapter to resolve the alias
Attempting to contact (DESCRIPTION = (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = xxxx
)(PORT = 1521)) (CONNECT_DATA = (SERVER = DEDICATED) (SERVICE_NAME = ORCL)))
OK (40 msec)
C:\Documents and Settings\me>tnsping orcl
TNS Ping Utility for 32-bit Windows: Version 10.2.0.1.0 - Production on 09-OCT-2
008 14:30:21
Copyright (c) 1997, 2005, Oracle. All rights reserved.
Used parameter files:
D:\oracle\10.2.0_Client\network\admin\sqlnet.ora
Used TNSNAMES adapter to resolve the alias
Attempting to contact (DESCRIPTION = (ADDRESS_LIST = (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)
(HOST = XXXX)(PORT = 1521))) (CONNECT_DATA = (SERVICE_NAME = ORCL)))
OK (20 msec)
C:\Documents and Settings\me>
Note the two different parameter file locations, that are dependent on which tnsping executable you're running (and perhaps where it's being run from). For tnsnames-based oracle networking, using the TNS_ADMIN variable is the only way to ensure you're getting a consistent tnsnames.ora file. (NOTE: Windows-centric answer)
For Windows: Filemon from SysInternals will show you what files are being accessed.
Remember to set your filters so you are not overwhelmed by the chatty file system traffic.
Added: Filemon does not work with newer Windows versions, so you might have to use Process Monitor.
By default, tnsnames.ora is located in the $ORACLE_HOME/network/admin directory on UNIX operating systems and in the ORACLE_HOME\network\admin directory on Windows operating systems. tnsnames.ora can also be stored the following locations:
The directory specified by the TNS_ADMIN environment variable (or registry value)
On UNIX operating systems, the global configuration directory. For example, on the Solaris Operating System, this directory is /var/opt/oracle
If you have multiple ORACLE_HOMES, be aware of which one you are using, as the location of the tnsnames.ora file can vary from one ORACLE_HOME to the next.
For the person who mentioned the TWO_TASK environment variable, that is used to set a default database service name to connect to (which could be a database on another server). The service name you set TWO_TASK to is then looked up in the tnsnames.ora file when you connect.
Shouldn't it always be "$ORACLE_ HOME/network/admin/tnsnames.ora"?
Then you can just do "echo $oracle_ home" or the *nix equivalent.
#Pete Holberton
You are entirely correct. Which reminds me, there's another monkey wrench in the works called TWO_ TASK
According http://www.orafaq.com/wiki/TNS_ADMIN
TNS_ADMIN is an environment variable that points to the directory where the SQL*Net configuration files (like sqlnet.ora and tnsnames.ora) are located.
strace sqlplus -L scott/tiger#orcl helps to find .tnsnames.ora file on /home/oracle to find the file it takes instead of $ORACLE_HOME/network/admin/tnsnames.ora file. Thanks for the posting.
Not direct answer to your question, but I've been quite frustrated myself trying find and update all of the tnsnames files, as I had several oracle installs: Client, BI tools, OWB, etc, each of which had its own oracle home. I ended up creating a utility called TNSNamesSync that will update all of the tnsnames in all of the oracle homes. It's under the MIT license, free to use here https://github.com/artybug/TNSNamesSync/releases
The docs are here:
https://github.com/artchik/TNSNamesSync/blob/master/README.md
This is for Windows only, though.
The easiest way is probably to check the PATH environment variable of the process that is connecting to the database. Most likely the tnsnames.ora file is in first Oracle bin directory in path..\network\admin. TNS_ADMIN environment variable or value in registry (for the current Oracle home) may override this.
Using filemon like suggested by others will also do the trick.
Related
i'm trying to connect to my oracle server using a batch file, but while i try connecting i got the following error:
ORA-12154: TNS: could not resolve the connect identifier specified
I've already check the tnsnames.ora ad the identifier is spelled correctly; i've put in the environment's variable a new variable named TNS_ADMIN that point on my admin folder in the client section.
ty tnsname.ora is as following
ORCL_SRVDATIORIO12 =
(DESCRIPTION =
(ADDRESS_LIST =
(ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = myhost)(PORT = 1521))
)
(CONNECT_DATA =
(SID = ORCL)
(SERVER = DEDICATED)
)
)
If i try connecting to that server using SSMA for example, using the tnsnames mode (SID or the description name), connection will establish just fine; while running it in command line it return me the error.
Also if i try running
tnsping <my tnsname>
i'll get:
TNS Ping Utility for 32-bit Windows: Version 12.2.0.1.0 - Production on 03-GEN-2019 14:36:59
Copyright (c) 1997, 2016, Oracle. All rights reserved.
File di parametri utilizzati:
C:\app\client\user\product\12.2.0\client_1\network\admin\sqlnet.ora
TNS-03505: Impossible finding name
So i checked the sqlnet.ora file and the directory path seems fine to me:
NAMES.DIRECTORY_PATH= (TNSNAMES, EZCONNECT, LDAP)
any suggestion?
EDIT: i solved by simply creating a new text file and copy past the previous contents in the new one.
you need to check tnsnames.ora. tnsnames.ora contains tns names and their connection declarations. You need to use appropriate tns name to connect your database.
tnsping <tns_name> //tns_name is needed to be defined in tnsnames.ora
in your case
tnsping ORCL_SRVDATIORIO12 10
need to return success message. if it does not, it means that your connection decriber is wrong. In which case, you need to talk with your DBA
I've a virtual machine, the latest version of Oracle SQL Developer (kit with JDK 8 included - although I installed it separately anyway), and there's a 11G Oracle Database.
My TNS file on my machine does not have the list of all databases, instead it it is as per below (there are multiple databases):
> CONN_DATA = (DESCRIPTION =
> (ADDRESS_LIST =
> (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = HOSTNAME)(PORT = XXXX))
> )
> (CONNECT_DATA =
> (SERVICE_NAME = Bob)
> ) )
I tried connecting to one of the databases using multiple methods.
If I choose the TNS conn type using the dbname as the connect identifier, I get no ocijdbc12 in
java.library.path. I went to the advanced settings, and manually pointed to my TNS file just in case.
If I choose the Basic connection type, ORCL as
service name (also tried the database as SID), localhost as hostname or the name of my database, it
fails to resolve the connection.
Also tried to use TNS conn type and Network identifier using "CONN_DATA"
I don't have a clue on what to do, similar issues seems to resolve on an environmental variable issue on my machine, but I'm unsure on how to confirm that.
Even though this question is rather old, I had the same issue.
The reason was completely different.
I did not have the network aliases set correctly.
Go to Preferences - Database - Advanced and set the path to TNSNames Directory.
I've solved this issue by using the same path as Gunnar Bernstein.
In SQL Developer "Outils > Préférence > Avancé > Répertoire tnsnames" (yes, i'm French. That' a ;) for french DBA's)
My old tnsnames path was "C:\oracle"
I updated it to the right path "c:\oracle\product\10.2.0\db_1\NETWORK\ADMIN". And, taaataaammmm "Status : success".
the solution is around setting the correct oracle client and tns names directory only
just posting this answer to help others - there might be different directories structure for the same
go to tools --> preference -->database --> advanced
in the lower section
check the box of --> Use oracle client
then click on --> configures
if your oracle client is already installed correctly
you will see client type -->oracle_home
if you don't --> select instant client
mostly client installation directory will be
for oracle 11g
C:\Apps\oracle\Clients\112_64
and
for oracle 12c
C:\Apps\oracle\Clients\12102_64
the _64 represents 64 bit client. if your client is 32 bit --> select _32 folder
then in the tns names directory - put this
C:\Apps\oracle\network\admin
if this is not the tnsnames directory for you --> try to find
find this filename on your computer --> tnsnames.ora
I also found that if you are using a tnsnames.ora file that is on a group drive - if windows "thinks" your not connected to the drives then you will also get this error.
Just open windows explorer and "reconnect" to the group drive and this will resolve the issue.
Resolved :
The SQL Developer was looking for TNS Names file in the location (c:\users<username>). I placed the file at that location and restarted the SQL Developer and it worked.
In a Debian machine, I can use tnsping to identify a tnsname.
But I can not found any tnsnames.ora in this machine. (nothing in $ORACLE_HOME/network/admin/ )
So, how can I find the tns name config file used by tnsping command ?
Is there any command (similar with tnsping) to locate the tnsnames file?
UPDATE: tnsping command result:
Thanks in advance
There is no common location and different applications/drivers apply various search paths with different order and precedences.
Check following locations:
$ORACLE_HOME/network/admin/
Current directory of application
$TNS_ADMIN (where TNS_ADMIN is environment variable settings)
Just for completeness in case of Windows check also
Registry key HKLM\SOFTWARE\ORACLE\KEY_{ORACLE_HOME_NAME}\TNS_ADMIN (for 64 bit)
Registry key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\ORACLE\KEY_{ORACLE_HOME_NAME}\TNS_ADMIN (for 32 bit)
.NET config file (i.e. machine.config and/or web.config)
In ideal case all of them should point to the same location, consider to create symbolic links if needed.
NB, maybe file tnsnames.ora simply does not exist. Create such file in location mentioned above.
You tell us the tnsping is working... At my place the tnsping tool gives the exact location of the sqlnet.ora it is using.... The tnsnames.ora should be in the same directory.
When your environment is correctly configured the tnsnames should be in the mentioned directory. When it does not exist you could try running the netca command and configure "Naming Methods configuration" and add a destination with "Locale Net Service Name configuration". This utility will create sqlnet.ora en tnsnames.ora in the default location.
[oracle#somedir]$ tnsping test
TNS Ping Utility for Linux: Version 11.2.0.3.0 - Production on 27-JUL-2016 22:00:24
Copyright (c) 1997, 2011, Oracle. All rights reserved.
Used parameter files:
/home/oracle/app/oracle/product/11.2.3/dbhome_1/network/admin/sqlnet.ora
Used TNSNAMES adapter to resolve the alias
Attempting to contact (DESCRIPTION = (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = localhost)(PORT = 1521)) (CONNECT_DATA = (SERVER = DEDICATED) (SERVICE_NAME = TEST)))
OK (0 msec)
In trying to establish connectivity from my workstation (actually, am seeing the same behavior on both WinXP32 and Win764 workstations) to an Oracle server, the first thing I always try is a tnsping. When I do so, this is what I get:
> C:\>tnsping MYDBNAME
>
> TNS Ping Utility for 32-bit Windows:
> Version 10.2.0.1.0 - Production on
> 25-JAN-2 011 15:03:35
>
> Copyright (c) 1997, 2005, Oracle. All
> rights reserved.
>
> Message 3511 not found; No message
> file for product=NETWORK,
> facility=TNSMessage 3512 not found;
> No message file for product=NETWORK,
> facility=TNSAttempting to contact
> (DESCRIPTION = (ADDRESS_LIST =
> (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP) (HOST =
> thisismyservername.com)(PORT = 1577)))
> (CONNECT_DATA = (SID = MYDBNAME)))
> Message 3509 not found; No message
> file for product=NETWORK, facility=TNS
So, as you can see, it is properly detecting my tnsnames file, and picks up the correct server address and port for the specified database, but the tnsping fails with 3511 and 3509 errors.
The strange part is, using sqlplus or Toad, from the same workstation, I can connect to that very same database successfully.
Can anyone explain what is happening here?
FWIW:
The ORACLE_HOME system environment variable (and any other oracle environment variables) is not set.
Update
The ORACLE_HOME environment variable does not necessarily HAVE to be set, it seems to depend per machine somehow. My particular issue was: Oracle 10g has/had a known defect in that tnsping.exe simply didn't work. There is a patch
I believe this can happen when your ORACLE_HOME environment variable is not set properly. tnsping is still available from the PATH, but it can't find its message files. What does echo %ORACLE_HOME% show, and where is the Oracle client actually installed?
This wouldn't necessarily have any effect on access from Toad as it doesn't need to access ORACLE_HOME directly; you may have given a full connection string, or it may be able to pick up a service name if TNS_ADMIN is set.
Edit
You might also have several Oracle products that are interfering with each other. If so try going to Start->All programs->Oracle Installation Products->Home Selector and picking the one that is related to the tnsping you're executing. (Actually this is for the 9i client; I think for 10g you might need to use the universal installer, changing via Installed Products->Environment, but can't check).
In addition to setting the ORACLE_HOME variable you should also make sure that the c:\orant\bin; entry comes before any other path entries to other oracle clients you may have installed.
I'm trying to connect to an oracle db from an ASP classic application, however I keep running into the ORA-12154 error.
TNSNAMES.ORA is configured properly
DBSOURCE.A.B.com =
(DESCRIPTION =
(ADDRESS_LIST =
(ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = C.D.B.com)(PORT = 1231))
)
(CONNECT_DATA =
(SERVICE_NAME = DBSOURCE)
)
)
I can TNSPING
C:\Documents and Settings\USERID.A>tnsping DBSOURCE
TNS Ping Utility for 32-bit Windows: Version 10.2.0.4.0 - Production on 09-MAR-2
011 09:12:31
Copyright (c) 1997, 2007, Oracle. All rights reserved.
Used parameter files:
C:\oracle\product\10.2.0\client_1\NETWORK\ADMIN\sqlnet.ora
Used TNSNAMES adapter to resolve the alias
Attempting to contact (DESCRIPTION = (ADDRESS_LIST = (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)
(HOST = C.D.B.com)(PORT = 1231))) (CONNECT_DATA = (SERVIC
E_NAME = DBSOURCE)))
OK (30 msec)
I can create an ODBC connection and I've tested the connection which is successful.
I can connect to the oracle db through toad.
I've checked my sqlnet.ora file
NAMES.DEFAULT_DOMAIN = A.B.com
SQLNET.AUTHENTICATION_SERVICES= (NONE)
NAMES.DIRECTORY_PATH= (TNSNAMES, EZCONNECT)
I've also checked that the TNSNAMES.ORA as one of my system paths.
I can connect to the DB with SQLPLUS
Here is the code that throws the error
dim CnnStr
Set Cnn = Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
CnnStr="Provider=MSDAORA.1;Password=pass;User ID=user;Data Source=DBSOURCE"
Cnn.Open CnnStr
I am running windows XP Pro 32bit SP3
I've tested this on a co-workers machine and the asp app has no issues, am I missing a configuration somewhere or did I mess up my config?
Thanks for the help everyone!
It seems all the settings have been checked but here is my suggestions for some trouble shooting:
How about restrictions on the account IIS is running under? Does it have the file permissions to read the TNSNAMES? Have you tried to give the user more rights. Even run IIS with Local As System Account? Remember to put it back the way it was.
You are sure there is not 3rd party app such anti virus or firewall that could influence / block access. (Disable them to test but do not forget to re-enable :)
(What did you finally do to solve it?)
"this works on a co-worker machine but
not mine."
ORA-12154 is usually a configuration issue, and it would certainly seem to be so in your case. The short answer is to compare your machine with your colleague's one and figure out what the difference is.
Things to check include:
the TNANAMES.ORA file
the SQLNET.ORA file
the LISTENER.ORA file (if you're using a local database)
Do you have multiple Oracle homes? Check that IIS doesn't point to the other ORA_HOME (and thereby not finding your tnsnames.ora entry).
I'm not very familiar with IIS configuration, so I would test this by adding the TNS entry to all tnsnames.ora on my PC.
If you are running a 64-bit OS and oracle 10 try installing all the patches for oracle.
Something similar happened to me, SQL plus and all else worked, except my .NET program.
I was running a .Net program out of the "Program files (x86)" folder. Installing patches fixed it.
The likely problem is the lack of read permission upon the Oracle directories by the User IIS is running-as.
As #Derick says, temporarily set the permissions wide-open on the $ORACLE_HOME directory (Everyone = Full Control), restart IIS, and test. When that works, give the IIS User read permission against that directory.
You can also confirm this issue using Process Monitor from Microsoft SysInternals, and seeing the failure message during the CreateFile(...) API call to open the DLLs or read the TNSNAMES.ORA file. Given the way temporary files work when selecting through cursors, you may also need to give the IIS user write permissions into some directories.
Try setting the value of the environment variable TNS_ADMIN on the machine with the problem to /network/admin (or wherever your tnsnames.ora file lives) and see if that helps.
I had the similar problem and found a simple solution. You don't have to modify any config files. Hope this can help you:
CREATE DATABASE LINK server2_db
CONNECT TO dbuser IDENTIFIED BY pwd USING
'(DESCRIPTION =
(ADDRESS_LIST =
(ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = server_2)(PORT = port_num))
)
(CONNECT_DATA =
(SERVICE_NAME = server2_db)
)
)';
The solution is from here:http://oraclequirks.blogspot.com/2008/11/ora-12154-tnscould-not-resolve-service.html