ORA-02024: database link not found (Cannot drop a database link after changing the global_name)

APPLIES TO: Oracle Database - Enterprise Edition - Version 9.2.0.6 and later Information in this document applies to any platform. ***Checked for relevance on 14-Nov-2014*** SYMPTOMS Not able to drop a database link after changing the global_name of the database Earlier global_name had did not have domain name attached to it. The newly added global_name has a domain name attached to it. When trying to drop the database link after this change throws the following error ORA-02024: database link not found But database link is present and the query on user_db_links displays the value Example: SQL> select * from global_name; GLOBAL_NAME --------------------------------------------------------- DB10GR2 SQL> create database link l1 connect to scott identified by tiger; Database link created. SQL> select db_link from user_db_links; DB_LINK --------------------------------------------------------- L1 SQL> alter database rename global_name to DB10GR2.WORLD; Database altered. SQL> select * from global_name; GLOBAL_NAME --------------------------------------------------------- DB10GR2.WORLD SQL> drop database link l1; drop database link l1 ERROR at line 1: ORA-02024: database link not found Even if the global_name is changed back to the original value, the same errors occurs. CAUSE Initially when a database is created without domain in the global name, null will used from domain as opposed to .world in earlier releases Later on when the global_name is altered to contain the domain part also, this domain remains even when the global_name is altered back a name without domain name Example :- SQL> select * from global_name; GLOBAL_NAME --------------------------------------------------------- DB10GR2 SQL> alter database rename global_name to DB10GR2.WORLD; Database altered. SQL> select * from global_name; GLOBAL_NAME --------------------------------------------------------- DB10GR2.WORLD SQL> alter database rename global_name to DB10GR2; Database altered. SQL> select * from global_name; GLOBAL_NAME --------------------------------------------------------- DB10GR2.WORLD The only option left to correct this is to update the base table props$ SOLUTION There are two solutions: 1. Update sys.link$ and rename the name column to make it match so that the command to drop public database link works.     1.1. Take a complete consistent backup of the database     1.2. Execute the following:  $sqlplus /nolog connect / as sysdba SQL> update props$ set value$ = '<globalname without domain>' where name ='GLOBAL_DB_NAME'; SQL>commit;     1.3 Drop the database link:         1.3.1. Connect as the schema user that owns the DBLINK and try to drop it. If you still get ORA-2024: database link not found , that means the domain name is in your cache and needs to be cleared.         1.3.2. Flush shared pool thrice and retry drop database link. alter system flush SHARED_POOL; alter system flush SHARED_POOL; alter system flush SHARED_POOL;         1.3.3. If step b doesn't help, you need to bounce your database and try to drop the database link.         1.3.4. Once the database link is dropped, the global_name can be changed back to the desired name containing domain part using the alter database rename global_name statement 2. The second solution consists on deleting the database link directly from sys.link$:         2.1. Take a complete consistent backup of the database or use CTAS can be used to backup sys.link$:     $sqlplus /nolog connect / as sysdba SQL> create table backup_link$ as select * from sys.link$:         2.2. Delete the DBLINK as follows: $sqlplus /nolog connect / as sysdba SQL> delete sys.link$ where name='db_link_name>'; SQL>commit;         2.3. Verify if the operaion s correctly proceeded: select db_link, username, host from user_db_links; This above document has been taken from the Oracle Metalink Doc ID 382994.1