Hi, I need to validate a database connection before I make any queries. I am taking over a Java EE web application that contractor who has since left makes use of Hibernate and he's written a Generic DAO class which extends HibernateDAOSupport. This class has the getHibernateTemplate() method which exposes methods to save, update, and execute queries. However, I don't see a method to check the connection and if it is down, reconnect. Any ideas on how I can do this?

Thanks,