Can you ping a TNS Name?

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QUESTION
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I use ODBC connections to link to Oracle databases. These connections use a TNS Name in their Service Name field.
Can I simply PING these TNS Names as a simple connectivity test to the database?

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ANSWER
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Yes 

At the COMMAND PROMPT, type:
TNSPING (SPACE and then the SERVICE NAME without the prefix: or the .suffix)

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EXAMPLES
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If trying to ping tns:rtkinst.world, your command line should look like:
tnsping rtkinst

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APPLIES TO / KEY WORDS
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Oracle
ODBC
Open Database Connectivity
Connection
Ping

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REF
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http://www.anysitesupport.com/can-you-ping-a-tns-name/
http://anySiteHosting.com