ORA-12542: Famous Error

Question

Hi,
I'm using Oracle 10.1.0.1 with ODP.Net
there's a c# web service that calls the database functions.
for the fist few connections , its working fine, then it suddenly gives the error -
ORA-12542: TNS:address already in use
i tried with restarting the service and also restarting the server. but no use
even when we check connection using the net manager it works for the first few times and then the same error comes. please help me identify and fix the error.
its very urgent
thanks
shruti

Answer 1

Cause
Problem is caused due to the fact that the free ports in the windows client has been exhausted and it is trying to make use of a port which is in TIME_WAIT state which gives the error TNS-12542: Address already in use.
There are 2 solutions available:
+1.) Increase the free port range:+
+======================+
Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
Locate the following key in the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters
On the Edit menu, click Add Value, and then add the following registry value:
Value Name: MaxUserPort Data Type: REG_DWORD Value: 65534
Valid Range: 5000-65534 (decimal) Default: 0x1388 (5000 decimal)
Description: This parameter controls the maximum port number used when an application requests any
available user port from the system. Normally, ephemeral (that is, short-lived) ports are allocated between the values of 1024 and 5000 inclusive.
+2.) Decrease the value for TIME_WAIT state:+
+================================+
TcpTimedWaitDelay (new in Windows NT versions 3.51 SP5 and later)
Key: Tcpip\Parameters
Value Type: REG_DWORD - Time in seconds
Valid Range: 30-300 (decimal)
Default: 0xF0 (240 decimal)
Re: How serious is ORA-12542
And also check this metalink doc id for the same.
Note:252614.1
HTH
Aman....