# Service Name Configuration

You can define simple names to identify the location of a service, such as a database. These simple names map to connect descriptors, which contain the network location and identification of the service. Net8 uses a centralized directory server or a local tnsnames.ora file on the client as the primary methods for storage of simple names, a net service name or the actual name of service.

Clients need only to use the simple name in the connect string rather than a lengthy connect descriptor. For example, if `sales` is the net service name for `sales.us.acme.com`, clients can use the following connect string:

`CONNECT scott/tiger@sales`

If a directory service was configured during a Server installation and a database was created with Oracle Database Configuration Assistant, an entry for the database service was likely created in the directory. If it was, you can configure this client to use the service name. Otherwise, you can configure a net service name in a `tnsnames.ora` file.

Yes, I want to use a directory service. There is one available for this purpose.

Choose this option if a LDAP-compliant directory was configured during Server installation with a database service name.

No, I will create net service names myself. I would like to create the first one now.

Choose this option to create net service names in a local `tnsnames.ora` file.