Error from Recovery Catalog Database – ORA-12514 | Could not connect to RMAN Catalog Database
Example : c:\> rman target / catalog rcat/password@orcl
Error: TNS: listener does not currently know of service requested in connect descriptor
The typical solution when you encounter this error is to check the TNSNames.ora file in the $ORACLEHOME\NETWORK\ADMIN directory to correct any typo errors
But what if your recovery catalog database was working perfectly earlier and no changes were done to the TNSNames.ora file. If yes, below steps should help you
Connect to the Recovery Catalog Database
c:\> set ORACLE_SID=catdb
c:\> sqlplus target /
You could end up getting an error message : Connected to an Idle Instance
Startup the Instance
You can start the Instance with below command
c:\> oradim -STARTUP -SID <SID> -STARTTYPE inst -PFILE <fullpath of the INITsid.ora file> Example: oradim -STARTUP -SID catdb -STARTTYPE inst -PFILE c:\oracle\product\10.1.0\db_1\database\INTIcatdb.ora
The Recovery Catalog database instance should now be started