# Net8 Configuration Overview

Net8 Configuration Assistant allows you to configure basic elements of the network, including:

### Naming

Define simple names to identify the location of a service, such as a database. These simple names, called connect identifiers, can be a net service name or the actual name of the service. A connect identifier maps to a connect descriptor, which contains the network location and identification of the service.

Use Net8 Configuration Assistant to configure connect descriptors in a client-side tnsnames.ora file.

### Naming Method Configuration

Specify the different ways in which connect identifiers are resolved into connect descriptors. You can use the Net8 Configuration Assistant to specify usage of the following naming methods:

- Local naming (Local)

- Directory naming (Directory)
- Oracle Names (Oracle Names)
- Host naming (Host Name)
- Novell Directory Services (NDS)
- Network Information Service (Sun NIS)
- Cell Directory Service (DCE CDS)

### Listener Configuration on the Server

Configure the listener to receive client connections by setting one or more listening protocol addresses. Clients using connect descriptors configured with the same protocol addresses can send a connection request to the listener.

### Directory Server Access

Configure client or server access to a LDAP-compliant directory server, if you plan to use:

- Directory naming to centrally administer connect identifiers and connect descriptors

- Enterprise user security for use with Oracle Advanced Security

| See Also:

Local Naming Configuration Overview

Naming Methods Configuration Overview

Listener Configuration Overview

Directory Service Configuration Overview