Understanding SQL*Net

Keyword-Value Pair Syntax

Most of the configuration files required in a SQL*Net version 2 network are made up in part of parameters followed by keyword-value pairs. Keyword-value pairs following parameters are surrounded by parentheses:

parameter = (keyword=value)

Some keywords have other keyword-value pairs as their values; in these cases, the group of keyword-value pairs that logically belong together are surrounded by parentheses:

(keyword=
	(keyword=value)
	(keyword=value)
)

For example, the address portion of a TNSNAMES.ORA file might include the following lines:

(ADDRESS=
	(COMMUNITY=tcpcom.hq.fin.acme)
	(PROTOCOL=tcp)
	(HOST=max)
	(PORT=1521) 
)

Oracle Corporation recommends that you set up the files so that indentation reflects what keyword is the "parent" or "owner" of other keyword-value pairs. This format is not required, but it does make the files much easier to read and understand. This is the format that Network Manager generates.

Even if you do not choose to indent your files in this way, you must indent a wrapped line by at least one space, or it will be misread as a new parameter. The following layout is acceptable:

(ADDRESS=(COMMUNITY=tcpcom.world)(PROTOCOL=tcp)
	(HOST=max.world)(PORT=1521))

The following layout is not acceptable:

(ADDRESS=(COMMUNITY=tcpcom.world)(PROTOCOL=tcp)
(HOST=max.world)(PORT=1521))