Oracle Database Discussions

All,

I'm using a peice of software called 'What's Up Gold' which monitors all ny network servers, routers, etc. and if they die (i.e. don't respond), the s/w pages & mail's me. The software allows you to configure your own 'tests' by port number - so I thought I'll get it to check whether port 1521 is alive to see if the Listener is up and potentially which databases are responding (like a TNSPING) .... but what is the connection string you pass through port 1521 and what responses do you get ? Does anyone know the answer - or at least where to look - this is analgous to sendmail - i.e. you can telnet to the port (25) and enter commands such as 'hello' and you get a response back - sp how do you do this with Oracle on port 1521 ?

Thanks in advance

Ashley