there should be another attribute in the datasource like this: testSql="select * from test" and GenericConnection has a setTestSql(String) method and that test method is executed right before the connections is given to the request in getConnection() When it fails it closed and tries another one (or opens another one) So anyone can decide there own test method/sql statement, because i don't think there is a common one. Only some rules must be set: Must the testSQL string return a result set and must it have one result if not it is the same as failing? This would be a nice addition to struts 1.0! Johan Compagner > <data-sources> > <data-source > autoCommit="false" > description="Interbase Data Source" > driverClass="interbase.interclient.Driver" > maxCount="4" > minCount="0" > url="jdbc:interbase://path/to/database" > user="username" > password="password" > /> > </data-sources> > > Anthony > > It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion. > It is by the Beans of Java that thoughts acquire speed, > the hands acquire shaking, the shaking becomes a warning. > It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion. >