Tnsping

TNSPING is a utility in the ORACLE HOME/bin directory used to test if a SQL*Net connect string can connect to a remote listener (check if the socket is reachable).

Note: This utility only tests if the listener is available. It cannot tell if the databases behind the listener is up or not.

Examples

When using a local TNSNAMES.ORA file - NAMES.DIRECTORY_PATH=(TNSNAMES) in sqlnet.ora:

$ tnsping myDB

TNS Ping Utility for Linux: Version 10.2.0.1.0 - Production on 24-MAY-2007 08:55:13
Copyright (c) 1997, 2005, Oracle.  All rights reserved.
Used parameter files:
/app/oracle/product/10.2.0/db_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 = MyDB)))
OK (10 msec)

When using an LDAP (OID) server - NAMES.DIRECTORY_PATH=(LDAP) in sqlnet.ora:

$ tnsping myDB

TNS Ping Utility for Solaris: Version 9.2.0.7.0 - Production on 10-DEC-2007 15:05:50
Copyright (c) 1997 Oracle Corporation.  All rights reserved.
Used parameter files:
/app/oracle/product/10.2.0/db_1/network/admin/sqlnet.ora

Used LDAP adapter to resolve the alias
Attempting to contact (DESCRIPTION = (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = localhost)(PORT = 1521)) (CONNECT_DATA = (SERVER = DEDICATED) (SERVICE_NAME = MyDB)))
OK (300 msec)

Utilities

McTnsping is a Windows tnsping-like program which requires no Oracle client.
You can post comments in Forum topic: McTnsping: a tnsping-like program for Windows.