I am trying to create a database link and not having much luck. I have 2 databases available to me and I can connect to both using SQL*Plus and ODBC. But when I create a link and try to use it I get the error: ORA-12154: TNS:could not resolve service name.

I understand what this means but not why I am getting this. Here is one of the scenarios:

DB: aaprod
User: aafnbdbo
Passwd: xxx

This is stored on another sever on the network.

DB: cashmgmt
User: ge02598
Passwd: yyy

On cash management I issue the command: CREATE DATABASE LINK remote_aaprod CONNECT TO aafnbdbo IDENTIFIED BY xxx USING 'aaprod'

No errors there but when I log onto cashmgmt and try to use the remote link (select * from expnames@remote_aaprod) I get the error listed about. Now cashmgmt is located on my machine and tsnames.ora on my machine contains correct references to both databases above. Any ideas?