How to use sqlplus to connect to an Oracle Database located on another host without modifying my own tnsnames.ora I want to connect to an oracle database located on another host using sqlplus. This page suggested adding an item on my tnsnames to conenct to that database

local_SID =
  (DESCRIPTION =
    (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL= TCP)(Host= hostname.network)(Port= 1521))
    (CONNECT_DATA = (SID = remote_SID))
  )


and then use that in sqlplus

sqlplus user/pass@local_SID


However, in my circumstances modifying the local tnsnames is not possible. Is it possible to connect to a remote database just by using sqlplus argument without having to change tnsnames? Something like

sqlplus user/pass@remote_SID@hostname.network ;( I know, this one is not valid)
sqlplus user/pass@(DESCRIPTION=(ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=TCP)(Host=hostname.network)(Port=1521))(CONNECT_DATA=(SID=remote_SID)))


Maybe, and this might be dependant on the command line environment you're using, you need to quote the string, something like 

 sqlplus "user/pass@(DESCRIPTION=(ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=TCP)(Host=hostname.network)(Port=1521))(CONNECT_DATA=(SID=remote_SID)))"


or

 sqlplus 'user/pass@(DESCRIPTION=(ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=TCP)(Host=hostname.network)(Port=1521))(CONNECT_DATA=(SID=remote_SID)))'