With the local naming method, net service names are added to the TNSNAMES.ORA file. A net service name is mapped to a network address contained in a connect descriptor. A connect descriptor contains the location of the listener through a protocol address and the service name of the service to which to connect. Clients use this net service name when making a connection to an application.

To create a net service name for the local naming method:

1. Double-click on the Net Service Names folder in the directory tree. If net service names exist, they display in the tree structure.

2. Select Create from the Edit menu or click on the "+" button to create a new net service name. The Net Service Name Wizard starts.

3. Enter any name in the Net Service Name field, and click Next.

4. Select the protocol the listener is configured to listen on (this protocol must also installed on the clients), and click Next.

5. Enter the appropriate listener protocol address information for your chosen protocol in the fields, and click Next.

6. Enter a destination service. If the destination service is release 8.1, click Oracle8i release 8.1, enter a service name in the Service Name field, and click Next. If destination service is prior to release 8.1, click Oracle8i release 8.0 or Previous, enter a SID in the Database SID field, and click Next.

7. Click Finish to save your configuration and dismiss Net Service Names Wizard.

8. Choose Save Network Configuration from the File menu to save changes to TNSNAMES.ORA in $ORACLE_HOME/network/admin on UNIX or ORACLE_HOME\network\admin on Windows platforms, or choose Save As from the File menu to save under a different file name or path.