net service name

A simple name for a service that resolves to a connect descriptor. Users initiate a connect request by passing a user name and password along with a net service name in a connect string for the service to which they wish to connect:

    CONNECT username/password@net_service_name

Depending on your needs, net service names can be stored in a variety of places, including:

- Local configuration file, tnsnames.ora file, on each client

- Directory server

- Oracle Names server

- External naming service, such as Novell Directory Services (NDS), Network Information Service (NIS) or Cell Directory Service (CDS)