Naming methods are used by Net8 to resolve a net service name to an address when attempting to connect a client to a server. They serve the same function that DNS servers do in making telnet or browser connections.

Methods supported are:

TNSNAMES:

TNSNAMES uses a local file, TNSNAMES.ORA, to store net service names on the client. This file is locally maintained to point the client to the services it needs. This naming method works best on small networks, and is not limited by protocol. To enter net service names that will be saved to the TNSNAMES.ORA file, see Using Net Service Names.

ONAMES:

ONAMES specifies Net8 to use Oracle Names servers to resolve a net service name to a network address. Oracle Names is a distributed naming service developed for Oracle environments. Oracle Names stores and maintains net service names and addresses in an integrated system of Names Servers. If you specify ONAMES, Net8 will forward a client's connect request to a nearby Oracle Names server in an attempt to resolve the net service name to an address.

IMPORTANT: If you selected ONAMES, you need to specify a Preferred Names Server or use the Discover Oracle Names Server option in order for the client to know about Oracle Names servers.

See Also:

• Configuring the Client to Use Preferred Names Servers
• Discovering Oracle Names Servers

HOSTNAME:

HOSTNAME specifies Net8 to resolve a hostname to an address. This option may be used if all of the following are true:

• Your client and server are using a TCP/IP protocol.

• The hostname is resolved through an IP address translation mechanism such as DNS, NIS, or a centrally maintained TCP/IP hosts file.

• No Oracle Connection Manager features are requested.

• The original or canonical host name of the machine matches the global database name.

See Also: Net8 Administrator’s Guide

CDS/NDS/NIS:

Cell Directory Service (CDS), Netware Directory Service (NDS), and Network Information Service (NIS) are all native naming services supported by Net8. If you are using a native naming service, Net8 will forward the connect request to that service in an attempt to resolve the net service name to an address.

Note: If you select CDS, NDS, or NIS, you will need to specify additional parameters.

See Also: Net8 Administrator’s Guide

To specify the use of naming methods:

1. Click the Profile icon.

2. Choose Naming from the drop-down list box.

3. Click the Methods tab.

4. Choose from the Available Methods list which naming method you want to use.

5. Order the naming methods according to which method you want Net8 to try first when resolving net service names. Select the naming method in the Selected Methods list, and use the Promote or Demote button to move the selection up or down in the list.

6. Choose Save Network Configuration from the File menu to save changes to SQLNET.ORA in $ORACLE_HOME/network/admin on UNIX or ORACLE_HOME\network\admin on Windows platforms, or choose Save As from the File menu to save under a different file name or path.