Local naming is one of the primary naming methods used to resolve a simple name, a net service name, to a connect descriptor that the client uses to connect to a database or service. Local naming stores net service names and their connect descriptors in a local tnsnames.ora file.
An end user enters the connect string that includes the net service name:
CONNECT username/password@net_service_name
For example:
CONNECT scott/tiger@sales
The net service name, sales, is then looked up in the tnsnames.ora file. The connect descriptor returned to the client includes the:
Protocol address location of the listener
Service name of the database
The client uses this information to connect to a listener. The listener, configured with the same address information, receives the request. If the listener is listening for requests to the same database service as specified in the client's connect descriptor, a connection is granted.
Oracle Net Services Configuration Overview
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