service name problem

I am trying to invoke sqlplus from a client machine. I am running oracle8i for LinuxRH6.1, v8.1.5.0.2.

--I try to invoke sqlplus:

$ sqlplus joe/secret_at_dbserver

--and get this error message:

SQL*Plus: Release 8.1.5.0.0 - Production on Wed Feb 2 15:22:24 2000

(c) Copyright 1999 Oracle Corporation. All rights reserved.

ERROR:
ORA-12514: TNS:listener could not resolve SERVICE_NAME given in connect descriptor

The listener on the server is up and running. I have a feeling I am not configuring the tnsnames.ora file on the client properly. Specifically, I don't what I should set the service name to! I've tried several different combinations of my database name and domain names. Nothing seems to work.

For example, I've tried:
given:
database name = i815, domain name = mydbserver.dev.xyz.com

1. service_name = i815.mydbserver.dev.xyz.com
2. service_name = i815.dev.xyz.com
3. service_name = i815

None of the above works.

from the Net8 Admin guide:
"The service name is a string that is the global database name, a name comprised of the database name and domain name"

I do not have any global names set. Maybe that is part of the problem.

Somebody please help.
Thanks

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Before you buy. Received on Wed Feb 02 2000 - 18:08:22 CST