ORA-02020 too many database links

Question

Hello,
I'm getting the ORA-02020 too many database links error in my Apex application. This error occurs when I run an interactive report in a page. There are 21 pages and 7 database links in the application. Each page has one interactive report that references one database link in the region source.
The database links are referenced in each page as follows: database link1 (page 1); database link2 (pages 2 and 3); database link3 (pages 4-7), database link4 (pages 8-15); database link5 (pages 16-18); database link6 (pages 19); and database link7 (pages 20-21). Each database link is referenced to separate schemas in one remote Oracle database.
I tried to eliminate the error by setting the open_links and open_links_per_instance parameters in the init.ora file of the remote and XE databases to 100 then restarted the both databases. This solution did not work. I created separate Application Processes from the Shared Components to close each database link by implementing the following:
Click on Shared Components> Logic > Application Processes > Create >
Name: CLOSE_LINK1
Sequence: 1
Point: On Load: Before Header (page template header)
Type: PL/SQL Anonymous Block
Process Text: execute immediate 'ALTER SESSION CLOSE DATABASE LINK LINK1';
Error Message: Database Link Error
When I run the application now, the ORA-02081: database link is not open error appears.
Please help anyone! I know someone has experienced these same errors.
Thanks,
Ms. H

Answer 1

Joel,
Thank you for your quick response. For clarification purposes, could you provide samples for 1) issuing the CLOSE DATABASE LINK and catching the exception; and 2) querying from V$DBLINK prior to issuing the CLOSE DATABASE LINK from the Shared Components > Logic > Application Processes?
Lets assume the following query with a database link in the region source is referenced for Page 1.
Page 1 - Employee Listing
Region Source:
select ename, job, hiredate
from scott.emp@link1
Lets assume the following Application Processes from the Shared Components is referenced to close the database link:
Click on Shared Components> Logic > Application Processes > Create >
Name: CLOSE_LINK1
Sequence: 1
Point: On Load: Before Header (page template header)
Type: PL/SQL Anonymous Block
Process Text: execute immediate 'ALTER SESSION CLOSE DATABASE LINK LINK1';
Error Message: Database Link Error
My thoughts are to do the following:
1. Log in SQL*Plus as SYS
SQL> grant select to v_$dblink to scott;
2. In Apex, goto Shared Components> Logic > Application Processes and add the following queries in the Process Text:
Name: CLOSE_LINK1
Sequence: 1
Process Text:
select db_link from v$dblink;
execute immediate 'ALTER SESSION CLOSE DATABASE LINK LINK1';
3. Catch the exception???
Your assistance is greatly appreciated. :8}
Ms. H