Oracle TNS names not showing when adding new connection to SQL Developer

user_52996 0
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I'm trying to connect to an oracle database with SQL Developer.

I've installed the .Net oracle drivers and placed the tnsnames.ora file at
C:\Oracle\product\11.1.0\client_1\Network\Admin

I'm using the following format in tnsnames.ora:

dev =
  (DESCRIPTION =
    (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = 192.168.XXX.XXX)(PORT = XXXX))
    (CONNECT_DATA =
      (SERVER = DEDICATED)
      (SERVICE_NAME = idpdev2)
    )
  )

In SQL Developer, when I try to create a new connection, no TNS-names show up as options.

Is there something I'm missing?

tns tnsnames oracle-sqldeveloper oracle database
8 Answers

SQL Developer will look in the following location in this order for a tnsnames.ora file

  1. $HOME/.tnsnames.ora
  2. $TNS_ADMIN/tnsnames.ora
  3. TNS_ADMIN lookup key in the registry
  4. /etc/tnsnames.ora ( non-windows )
  5. $ORACLE_HOME/network/admin/tnsnames.ora
  6. LocalMachine\SOFTWARE\ORACLE\ORACLE_HOME_KEY
  7. LocalMachine\SOFTWARE\ORACLE\ORACLE_HOME

To see which one SQL Developer is using, issue the command show tns in the worksheet

If your tnsnames.ora file is not getting recognized, use the following procedure:

  1. Define an environmental variable called TNS_ADMIN to point to the folder that contains your tnsnames.ora file.

    In Windows, this is done by navigating to Control Panel > System > Advanced system settings > Environment Variables...

    In Linux, define the TNS_ADMIN variable in the .profile file in your home directory.

  2. Confirm the os is recognizing this environmental variable

    From the Windows command line: echo %TNS_ADMIN%

    From linux: echo $TNS_ADMIN

  3. Restart SQL Developer

  4. Now in SQL Developer right click on Connections and select New Connection.... Select TNS as connection type in the drop down box. Your entries from tnsnames.ora should now display here.
Json_41380

You can always find out the location of the tnsnames.ora file being used by running TNSPING to check connectivity (9i or later):

C:\>tnsping dev

TNS Ping Utility for 32-bit Windows: Version 10.2.0.1.0 - Production on 08-JAN-2009 12:48:38

Copyright (c) 1997, 2005, 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 = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = XXX)(PORT = 1521)) (CONNECT_DATA = (SERVICE_NAME = DEV)))
OK (30 msec)

C:\>

Sometimes, the problem is with the entry you made in tnsnames.ora, not that the system can't find it. That said, I agree that having a tns_admin environment variable set is a Good Thing, since it avoids the inevitable issues that arise with determining exactly which tnsnames file is being used in systems with multiple oracle homes.

DCookie_86700

At windows I must add permision "READ & execure" for:

  • folder c:\oracle\TNS_ADMIN
  • file c:\oracle\TNS_ADMIN\tnsnames.ora

of course the Windows see:

C:\>set TNS
TNS_ADMIN=c:\oracle\TNS_ADMIN

and now SQL Developer see TNS on list.

user_21326340
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