password file question ...

Hi,

I've read the f***ing manual, but still i don't get it. Flame me for being dumb if you please.

Operating System: suse linux 9.3
Oracle Flavour: Standard Edition 10.1.0.4.0

I've created a password file to be able to manage a database remotely, and user sys is apparently in it as you can see here:

SQL> select * from v$pwfile_users
  2 ;

USERNAME                       SYSDB SYSOP
------------------------------ ----- -----
SYS                            TRUE  TRUE

Connecting remote works when the database is up and running:

e.g. sqlplus sys/<pwd>@<service> as sysdba

... but this also worked before. But when the database is down i still only can connect locally, trying to connect from remote tells me:

ERROR:
ORA-12514: TNS:listener does not currently know of service requested in connect
descriptor

(which is the same i get when trying to connect with any other user and it makes perfect sense. )

I thought having a password file enables me to remotely connect to an instance as sysdba even if it's idle or not mounted? How can this be accomplised then?

Please give me a hint, even if it's only the manual page where this information is hidden - as i said i've consulted the manuals, even searched on tahiti.oracle.com - but still i miss the point.

Thanks,
Stephan Received on Wed Jul 12 2006 - 04:05:35 CDT