JDBC url for oracle RAC

If you have to connect to oracle RAC (Real Application Cluster) using JDBC with thin driver, the classic url:

jdbc:oracle:thin:@<HOST>:1521:<SID>

doesn’t work and you get the error ORA – 12505.
Instead, you must use this url:

jdbc:oracle:thin:@(DESCRIPTION=(LOAD_BALANCE=on)
(ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=TCP)(HOST=host1) (PORT=1521))
(ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=TCP)(HOST=host2) (PORT=1521))
(CONNECT_DATA=(SERVICE_NAME=service)))

If you have an oracle client, like toad, check the tsnames.ora for the correct values of SERVICE_NAME and host.