Oracle Database has several names [1]:
- Global Name(global_name): consists of the database name (db_name) and database domain (db_domain). The global database name (global_name) uniquely distinguishes a database from any other database in the same network (select global_name from global_name). To enforce the global database naming, you must set the GLOBAL_NAMES parameter to TRUE, (show parameter global_names) which ensures the database link incorporate the global database name. You can change global name. (alter database rename global_name to xxx).
- Service Name: is an identifier of an Oracle database that is represented to clients as a service (service_names). A database can have one or more services associated with it. If you do not specify a service name for a database, the service name will default to the database's global name.
- System Identifier (SID): identifies a specific database instance (instance_name). Oracle database service names are usually the same as the database name in the global name. For a RAC database, one database service can have more than one database instances.
- Oracle Database - Global Database Name (GLOBAL_NAME)
- AskTom.com, How to change the value in GLOBAL_NAME table
- Oracle OEM Documentation (12.1.0.3): K Correcting the Database Domain Name to Avoid or Resolve Database Link Error
- Oracle Database Documentation (1.2): 2.2.8 Selecting a Database Name
- Oracle Net Service Amin Guide (12.2): 2 Identifying and Accessing the Database