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Contents

List of Examples

List of Figures

List of Tables

Title and Copyright Information

Preface

• Audience
• Documentation Accessibility
• Related Documentation
• Relocated Documentation
• Conventions

What's New in Backup and Recovery?

• New Backup and Recovery Features for Oracle 11g Release 2

Part I Overview of Backup and Recovery

1 Introduction to Backup and Recovery

• Purpose of Backup and Recovery
  • Data Protection
    • Media Failures
    • User Errors
    • Application Errors
  • Data Preservation
  • Data Transfer
• Oracle Backup and Recovery Solutions
• Oracle Flashback Technology
  • Logical Flashback Features
  • Flashback Database
• Data Recovery Advisor
• Backup and Recovery Documentation Roadmap
  • Recovery Manager Documentation Roadmap
  • User-Managed Backup and Recovery Documentation Roadmap

2 Getting Started with RMAN

• Overview of the RMAN Environment
• Starting RMAN and Connecting to a Database
• Showing the Default RMAN Configuration
• Backing Up a Database
  • Backing Up a Database in ARCHIVELOG Mode
  • Backing Up a Database in NOARCHIVELOG Mode
  • Typical Backup Options
  • Making Incremental Backups
    • Making Incrementally Updated Backups
  • Validating Database Files and Backups
  • Scripting RMAN Operations
• Reporting on RMAN Operations
  • Listing Backups
  • Reporting on Database Files and Backups
• Maintaining RMAN Backups
  • Cross-checking Backups
  • Deleting Obsolete Backups
• Diagnosing and Repairing Failures with Data Recovery Advisor
  • Listing Failures and Determining Repair Options
  • Repairing Failures
• Rewinding a Database with Flashback Database
• Restoring and Recovering Database Files
  • Preparing to Restore and Recover Database Files
  • Recovering the Whole Database
  • Recovering Tablespaces
  • Recovering Individual Data Blocks

Part II Starting and Configuring RMAN and Flashback Database

3 Recovery Manager Architecture

• About the RMAN Environment
• RMAN Command-Line Client
• RMAN Channels
  • Channels and Devices
  • Automatic and Manual Channels
• RMAN Repository
• Media Management
  • RMAN Interaction with a Media Manager
  • Oracle Secure Backup
  • Backup Solutions Program
• Fast Recovery Area
• RMAN in a Data Guard Environment
  • RMAN Configuration in a Data Guard Environment
  • RMAN File Management in a Data Guard Environment
    • Interchangeability of Backups in a Data Guard Environment
    • Association of Backups in a Data Guard Environment
    • Accessibility of Backups in a Data Guard Environment

4 Starting and Interacting with the RMAN Client

• Starting and Exiting RMAN
• Specifying the Location of RMAN Output
• Setting Globalization Support Environment Variables for RMAN
• Entering RMAN Commands
  • Entering RMAN Commands at the RMAN Prompt
  • Using Command Files with RMAN
  • Entering Comments in RMAN Command Files
  • Using Substitution Variables in Command Files
  • Checking RMAN Syntax
    • Checking RMAN Syntax at the Command Line
    • Checking RMAN Syntax in Command Files
• Making Database Connections with RMAN
  • About RMAN Database Connections
    • Authentication for RMAN Database Connections
  • Making RMAN Database Connections from the Operating System Command Line
  • Making Database Connections from the RMAN Prompt
  • Connecting RMAN to an Auxiliary Database
  • Making RMAN Database Connections Within Command Files
  • Diagnosing RMAN Connection Problems
    • Diagnosing Target and Auxiliary Database Connection Problems
    • Diagnosing Recovery Catalog Connection Problems
• Using the RMAN Pipe Interface
  • Executing Multiple RMAN Commands in Succession Through a Pipe: Example
  • Executing RMAN Commands in a Single Job Through a Pipe: Example

5 Configuring the RMAN Environment

• Configuring the Environment for RMAN Backups
  • Showing and Clearing Persistent RMAN Configurations
  • Configuring the Default Device for Backups: Disk or SBT
  • Configuring the Default Type for Backups: Backup Sets or Copies
  • Configuring Channels
    • About Channel Configuration
    • Configuring Channels for Disk
    • Configuring Parallel Channels for Disk and SBT Devices
    • Manually Overriding Configured Channels
  • Configuring Control File and Server Parameter File Autobackups
    • Configuring the Control File Autobackup Format
    • Overriding the Configured Control File Autobackup Format
• Configuring RMAN to Make Backups to a Media Manager
  • Prerequisites for Using a Media Manager with RMAN
  • Determining the Location of the Media Management Library
  • Configuring Media Management Software for RMAN Backups
  • Testing Whether the Media Manager Library Is Integrated Correctly
    • Testing ALLOCATE CHANNEL on the Media Manager
    • Testing Backup and Restore Operations on the Media Manager
  • Configuring SBT Channels for Use with a Media Manager
    • About Media Manager Backup Piece Names
    • Configuring Automatic SBT Channels
• Configuring the Fast Recovery Area
  • Overview of the Fast Recovery Area
    • Oracle Managed Files and Automatic Storage Management
    • How Oracle Manages Disk Space in the Fast Recovery Area
  • Enabling the Fast Recovery Area
    • Considerations When Setting the Size of the Fast Recovery Area
    • Considerations When Setting the Location of the Fast Recovery Area
    • Setting the Fast Recovery Area Location and Initial Size
  • Disabling the Fast Recovery Area
  • Configuring Locations for Control Files and Redo Logs
    • Configuring Online Redo Log Locations
    • Configuring Control File Locations
    • Configuring Archived Redo Log Locations
  • Configuring RMAN File Creation in the Fast Recovery Area
• Configuring the Backup Retention Policy
  • Configuring a Redundancy-Based Retention Policy
  • Configuring a Recovery Window-Based Retention Policy
  • Disabling the Retention Policy
• Backup Optimization and the CONFIGURE command
  • Overview of Backup Optimization
  • Effect of Retention Policies on Backup Optimization for SBT Backups
    • Backup Optimization for SBT Backups with Recovery Window Retention Policy
    • Backup Optimization for SBT Backups With Redundancy Retention Policy
  • Configuring Backup Optimization
• Configuring an Archived Redo Log Deletion Policy
  • About Archived Redo Log Deletion Policies
    • When the Archived Redo Log Deletion Policy Is Disabled
    • When the Archived Redo Log Deletion Policy Is Enabled
  • Enabling an Archived Redo Log Deletion Policy
• Configuring RMAN in a Data Guard Environment

6 Configuring the RMAN Environment: Advanced Topics

• Configuring Advanced Channel Options
  • About Channel Control Options
  • Configuring Specific Channel Parameters
    • Configuring Specific Channels: Examples
    • Relationship Between CONFIGURE CHANNEL and Parallelism Setting
• Configuring Advanced Backup Options
  • Configuring the Maximum Size of Backup Sets
  • Configuring the Maximum Size of Backup Pieces
  • Configuring Backup Duplexing
  • Configuring Tablespaces for Exclusion from Whole Database Backups
  • Configuring Compression Options
    • Precompression Block Processing
    • Basic Compression Option
    • Advanced Compression Option
  • Configuring Backup Encryption
    • About Backup Encryption
    • Configuring RMAN Backup Encryption Modes
    • Configuring the Backup Encryption Algorithm
• Configuring Auxiliary Instance Data File Names
• Configuring the Snapshot Control File Location
  • Viewing the Configured Location of the Snapshot Control File
  • Setting the Location of the Snapshot Control File
• Configuring RMAN for Use with a Shared Server
• Enabling Lost Write Detection

7 Using Flashback Database and Restore Points

• Understanding Flashback Database, Restore Points and Guaranteed Restore Points
  • Flashback Database
  • Flashback Database Window
  • Limitations of Flashback Database
  • Normal Restore Points
  • Guaranteed Restore Points
    • Guaranteed Restore Points versus Storage Snapshots
• Logging for Flashback Database and Guaranteed Restore Points
  • Guaranteed Restore Points and Fast Recovery Area Space Usage
  • Logging for Guaranteed Restore Points with Flashback Logging Disabled
  • Logging for Flashback Database with Guaranteed Restore Points Defined
• Prerequisites for Flashback Database and Guaranteed Restore Points
• Using Normal and Guaranteed Restore Points
  • Creating Normal and Guaranteed Restore Points
  • Listing Restore Points
  • Dropping Restore Points
• Using Flashback Database
  • Enabling Flashback Database
  • Disabling Flashback Database Logging
  • Configuring the Environment for Optimal Flashback Database Performance
  • Monitoring the Effect of Flashback Database on Performance
  • Flashback Writer (RVWR) Behavior with I/O Errors

Part III Backing Up and Archiving Data

8 RMAN Backup Concepts

• Consistent and Inconsistent RMAN Backups
  • Consistent Backups
  • Inconsistent Backups
• Online Backups and Backup Mode
• Backup Sets
  • Backup Sets and Backup Pieces
  • Block Compression for Backup Sets
    • Unused Block Compression
    • Null Block Compression
  • Binary Compression for Backup Sets
  • Backup Undo
  • Encryption for Backup Sets
  • Filenames for Backup Pieces
  • Number and Size of Backup Pieces
  • Number and Size of Backup Sets
  • Multiplexed Backup Sets
  • Proxy Copies
• Image Copies
  • RMAN-Created Image Copies
  • User-Managed Image Copies
• Multiple Copies of RMAN Backups
  • Duplexed Backup Sets
  • Backups of Backups
    • Backups of Backup Sets
    • Backups of Image Copies
• Control File and Server Parameter File Autobackups
  • When RMAN Performs Control File Autobackups
  • How RMAN Performs Control File Autobackups
• Incremental Backups
  • Multilevel Incremental Backups
    • Differential Incremental Backups
    • Cumulative Incremental Backups
  • Block Change Tracking
  • Incremental Backup Algorithm
  • Recovery with Incremental Backups
• Backup Retention Policies
  • Recovery Window
  • Backup Redundancy
  • Batch Deletes of Obsolete Backups
  • Backup Retention Policy and Fast Recovery Area Deletion Rules

9 Backing Up the Database

• Overview of RMAN Backups
  • Purpose of RMAN Backups
  • Basic Concepts of RMAN Backups
• Specifying Backup Output Options
  • Specifying the Device Type for an RMAN Backup
  • Specifying Backup Set or Copy for an RMAN Backup to Disk
  • Specifying a Format for RMAN Backups
    • Specifying Multiple Formats for Disk Backups
  • Specifying Tags for an RMAN Backup
    • About Backup Tags
    • Specifying Tags for Backup Sets and Image Copies
  • Making Compressed Backups
• Backing Up Database Files with RMAN
  • Backing Up a Whole Database with RMAN
  • Backing Up Tablespaces and Datafiles with RMAN
  • Backing Up Control Files with RMAN
    • Making a Manual Backup of the Control File
  • Backing Up Server Parameter Files with RMAN
  • Backing Up a Database in NOARCHIVELOG Mode
• Backing Up Archived Redo Logs with RMAN
  • About Backups of Archived Redo Logs
    • Archived Redo Log Failover
    • Online Redo Log Switching
  • Backing Up Archived Redo Log Files
  • Backing Up Only Archived Redo Logs That Need Backups
  • Deleting Archived Redo Logs After Backups
• Making and Updating Incremental Backups
  • Purpose of Incremental Backups
  • Planning an Incremental Backup Strategy
  • Making Incremental Backups
    • Making Incremental Backups of a VSS Snapshot
  • Incrementally Updating Backups
    • Incrementally Updating Backups: Basic Example
    • Incrementally Updated Backups: Advanced Example
  • Using Block Change Tracking to Improve Incremental Backup Performance
    • About Block Change Tracking
    • Enabling and Disabling Block Change Tracking
    • Disabling Block Change Tracking
    • Checking Whether Change Tracking is Enabled
    • Changing the Location of the Block Change Tracking File
• Making Database Backups for Long-Term Storage
  • Purpose of Archival Backups
  • Basic Concepts of Archival Backups
  • Making an Archival Backup for Long-Term Storage
    • Making an Archival Backup
  • Making a Temporary Archival Backup
• Backing Up RMAN Backups
  • About Backups of Backups
    • Multiple Copies of Backup Sets
    • Effect of a Backup Retention Policy on Backups of Backups
  • Backing Up Backup Sets with RMAN
  • Backing Up Image Copy Backups with RMAN

10 Backing Up the Database: Advanced Topics

• Limiting the Size of RMAN Backup Sets
  • About Backup Set Size
  • Limiting the Size of Backup Sets with BACKUP ... MAXSETSIZE
  • Dividing the Backup of a Large Data File into Sections
• Using Backup Optimization to Skip Files
  • Optimizing a Daily Archived Log Backup to a Single Tape: Scenario
  • Optimizing a Daily Archived Log Backup to Multiple Media Families: Scenario
  • Creating a Weekly Secondary Backup of Archived Logs: Example
• Skipping Offline, Read-Only, and Inaccessible Files
• Duplexing Backup Sets
  • Duplexing Backup Sets with CONFIGURE BACKUP COPIES
  • Duplexing Backup Sets with BACKUP ... COPIES
• Making Split Mirror Backups with RMAN
• Encrypting RMAN Backups
  • About RMAN Backup Encryption Settings
  • Making Transparent-Mode Encrypted Backups
  • Making Password-Mode Encrypted Backups
  • Making Dual-Mode Encrypted Backups
• Restarting RMAN Backups
  • About Restartable Backups
  • Restarting a Backup After It Partially Completes
• Managing Backup Windows
  • About Backup Windows
  • Specifying a Backup Duration
  • Permitting Partial Backups in a Backup Window
  • Minimizing Backup Load and Duration

Part IV Managing RMAN Backups

11 Reporting on RMAN Operations

• Overview of RMAN Reporting
  • Purpose of RMAN Reporting
  • Basic Concepts of RMAN Reporting
    • Reporting in a Data Guard Environment
• Listing Backups and Recovery-Related Objects
  • About the LIST Command
  • Listing All Backups and Copies
  • Listing Selected Backups and Copies
  • Listing Database Incarnations
• Reporting on Backups and Database Schema
  • About Reports of RMAN Backups
  • Reporting on Files Needing a Backup Under a Retention Policy
    • Using RMAN REPORT NEED BACKUP with Different Retention Policies
    • Using RMAN REPORT NEED BACKUP with Tablespaces and Datafiles
    • Using REPORT NEED BACKUP with Backups on Tape or Disk Only
  • Reporting on Datafiles Affected by Unrecoverable Operations
  • Reporting on Obsolete Backups
  • Reporting on the Database Schema
• Using V$ Views to Query Backup Metadata
  • Querying Details of Past and Current RMAN Jobs
  • Determining the Encryption Status of Backup Pieces
• Querying Recovery Catalog Views
  • About Recovery Catalog Views
    • Unique Identifiers for Registered Databases
    • Unique Identifiers in a Data Guard Environment
  • Querying Catalog Views for the Target DB_KEY or DBID Values
  • Querying RC_BACKUP_FILES

12 Maintaining RMAN Backups and Repository Records

• Overview of RMAN Backup and Repository Maintenance
  • Purpose of Backup and Repository Maintenance
  • Basic Concepts of Backup and Repository Maintenance
    • Maintenance Commands and RMAN Repository Metadata
    • Maintenance Commands in a Data Guard Environment
• Maintaining the Control File Repository
  • About Control File Records
    • Fast Recovery Area and Control File Records
  • Preventing the Loss of Control File Records
  • Protecting the Control File
• Maintaining the Fast Recovery Area
  • Deletion Rules for the Fast Recovery Area
  • Monitoring Fast Recovery Area Space Usage
  • Managing Space for Flashback Logs in the Fast Recovery Area
  • Responding to a Full Fast Recovery Area
  • Changing the Fast Recovery Area to a New Location
  • Disabling the Fast Recovery Area
  • Responding to an Instance Crash During File Creation
• Updating the RMAN Repository
  • Crosschecking the RMAN Repository
    • About RMAN Crosschecks
    • Crosschecking All Backups and Copies
    • Crosschecking Specific Backup Sets and Copies
  • Changing the Repository Status of Backups and Copies
    • Updating a Backup to Status AVAILABLE or UNAVAILABLE
    • Changing the Status of an Archival Backup
  • Adding Backup Records to the RMAN Repository
    • About Cataloging Operations
    • Cataloging User-Managed Data File Copies
    • Cataloging Backup Pieces
    • Cataloging All Files in a Disk Location
  • Removing Records from the RMAN Repository
    • About Uncataloging Operations
    • Removing Records for Files Deleted with Operating System Utilities
• Deleting RMAN Backups and Archived Redo Logs
  • Overview of RMAN Deletion
    • RMAN Deletion Commands
    • Deletion of Archived Redo Logs
  • Deleting All Backups and Copies
  • Deleting Specified Backups and Copies
    • Deleting Specified Files with BACKUP ... DELETE
  • Deleting Expired RMAN Backups and Copies
  • Deleting Obsolete RMAN Backups Based on Retention Policies
    • DELETE OBSOLETE Behavior When KEEP UNTIL TIME Expires
• Dropping a Database

13 Managing a Recovery Catalog

• Overview of the Recovery Catalog
  • Purpose of the Recovery Catalog
  • Basic Concepts for the Recovery Catalog
    • Database Registration
    • Centralization of Metadata in a Base Recovery Catalog
    • Recovery Catalog Resynchronization
    • Stored Scripts
    • Recovery Catalog in a Data Guard Environment
  • Basic Steps of Managing a Recovery Catalog
• Creating a Recovery Catalog
  • Configuring the Recovery Catalog Database
    • Planning the Size of the Recovery Catalog Schema
    • Allocating Disk Space for the Recovery Catalog Database
  • Creating the Recovery Catalog Schema Owner
  • Executing the CREATE CATALOG Command
• Registering a Database in the Recovery Catalog
  • About Registration of a Database in the Recovery Catalog
    • About Standby Database Registration
  • Registering a Database with the REGISTER DATABASE Command
• Cataloging Backups in the Recovery Catalog
• Creating and Managing Virtual Private Catalogs
  • About Virtual Private Catalogs
  • Creating and Granting Privileges to a Virtual Private Catalog Owner
  • Creating a Virtual Private Catalog
  • Revoking Privileges from a Virtual Private Catalog Owner
  • Dropping a Virtual Private Catalog
• Protecting the Recovery Catalog
  • Backing Up the Recovery Catalog
    • Backing Up the Recovery Catalog Frequently
    • Choosing the Appropriate Technique for Physical Backups
    • Separating the Recovery Catalog from the Target Database
    • Exporting the Recovery Catalog Data for Logical Backups
  • Recovering the Recovery Catalog
• Managing Stored Scripts
  • About Stored Scripts
  • Creating Stored Scripts
  • Replacing Stored Scripts
  • Executing Stored Scripts
  • Creating and Executing Dynamic Stored Scripts
  • Printing Stored Scripts
  • Listing Stored Script Names
  • Deleting Stored Scripts
  • Executing a Stored Script at RMAN Startup
• Maintaining a Recovery Catalog
  • About Recovery Catalog Maintenance
  • Resynchronizing the Recovery Catalog
    • About Resynchronization of the Recovery Catalog
    • Deciding When to Resynchronize the Recovery Catalog
    • Manually Resynchronizing the Recovery Catalog
  • Updating the Recovery Catalog After Changing a DB_UNIQUE_NAME
  • Unregistering a Target Database from the Recovery Catalog
    • Unregistering a Target Database When Not in a Data Guard Environment
    • Unregistering a Standby Database
  • Resetting the Database Incarnation in the Recovery Catalog
  • Upgrading the Recovery Catalog
    • About Recovery Catalog Upgrades
    • Determining the Schema Version of the Recovery Catalog
    • Using the UPGRADE CATALOG Command
  • Importing and Moving a Recovery Catalog
    • About Recovery Catalog Imports
    • Prerequisites for Importing a Recovery Catalog
    • Importing a Recovery Catalog
    • Moving a Recovery Catalog
• Dropping a Recovery Catalog

Part V Diagnosing and Responding to Failures

14 RMAN Data Repair Concepts

• Overview of RMAN Data Repair
  • Problems Requiring Data Repair
    • User Errors
    • Application Errors
    • Media Failures
  • RMAN Data Repair Techniques
• RMAN Restore Operations
  • Backup Selection
  • Restore Failover
  • About RMAN Restore Operations and ASM
  • Restore Optimization
• RMAN Media Recovery
  • Selection of Incremental Backups and Archived Redo Logs
  • Database Incarnations
    • OPEN RESETLOGS Operations
    • Relationship Among Database Incarnations
    • Orphaned Backups

15 Diagnosing and Repairing Failures with Data Recovery Advisor

• Overview of Data Recovery Advisor
  • Purpose of Data Recovery Advisor
  • Basic Concepts of Data Recovery Advisor
    • User Interfaces to Data Recovery Advisor
    • Data Integrity Checks
    • Failures
    • Manual Actions and Automatic Repair Options
    • Supported Database Configurations
  • Basic Steps of Diagnosing and Repairing Failures
• Listing Failures
  • Listing All Failures
  • Listing a Subset of Failures
• Checking for Block Corruptions by Validating the Database
• Determining Repair Options
  • Determining Repair Options for All Failures
  • Determining Repair Options for a Subset of Failures
• Repairing Failures
  • About Repairing Failures
  • Repairing a Failure
• Changing Failure Status and Priority

16 Validating Database Files and Backups

• Overview of RMAN Validation
  • Purpose of RMAN Validation
  • Basic Concepts of RMAN Validation
    • Checksums and Corrupt Blocks
    • Physical and Logical Block Corruption
    • Limits for Corrupt Blocks in RMAN Backups
    • Detection of Block Corruption
• Checking for Block Corruption with the VALIDATE Command
• Validating Database Files with BACKUP VALIDATE
• Validating Backups Before Restoring Them

17 Performing Complete Database Recovery

• Overview of Complete Database Recovery
  • Purpose of Complete Database Recovery
  • Scope of This Chapter
• Preparing for Complete Database Recovery
  • Identifying the Database Files to Restore or Recover
    • Identifying a Lost Control File
    • Identifying Datafiles Requiring Media Recovery
  • Determining the DBID of the Database
  • Previewing Backups Used in Restore Operations
    • Recalling Offsite Backups
  • Validating Backups Before Restoring Them
  • Restoring Archived Redo Logs Needed for Recovery
    • Restoring Archived Redo Logs to a New Location
    • Restoring Archived Redo Logs to Multiple Locations
• Performing Complete Database Recovery
  • About Complete Database Recovery
    • Restoring Datafiles to a Nondefault Location
    • Decryption of Backups
  • Performing Complete Recovery of the Whole Database
  • Performing Complete Recovery of a Tablespace
  • Performing Complete Recovery After Switching to a Copy
    • Switching to a Data File Copy
    • Switching to a Database Copy

18 Performing Flashback and Database Point-in-Time Recovery

• Overview of Oracle Flashback Technology and Database Point-in-Time Recovery
  • Purpose of Flashback and Database Point-in-Time-Recovery
  • Basic Concepts of Point-in-Time Recovery and Flashback Features
    • Basic Concepts of Database Point-in-Time Recovery
    • Basic Concepts of Flashback Technology
• Rewinding a Table with Flashback Table
  • Prerequisites of Flashback Table
  • Performing a Flashback Table Operation
    • Keeping Triggers Enabled During Flashback Table
• Rewinding a DROP TABLE Operation with Flashback Drop
  • About Flashback Drop
  • Prerequisites of Flashback Drop
  • Performing a Flashback Drop Operation
    • Retrieving Objects When Multiple Objects Share the Same Original Name
• Rewinding a Database with Flashback Database
  • Prerequisites of Flashback Database
  • Performing a Flashback Database Operation
  • Monitoring Flashback Database
• Performing Database Point-in-Time Recovery
  • Prerequisites of Database Point-in-Time Recovery
  • Performing Database Point-in-Time Recovery
• Flashback and Database Point-in-Time Recovery Scenarios
  • Rewinding an OPEN RESETLOGS Operation with Flashback Database
    • Undoing an OPEN RESETLOGS on Standby Databases with Flashback Database
  • Rewinding the Database to an SCN in an Abandoned Incarnation Branch
  • Recovering the Database to an Ancestor Incarnation

19 Performing Block Media Recovery

• Overview of Block Media Recovery
  • Purpose of Block Media Recovery
  • Basic Concepts of Block Media Recovery
    • Identification of Corrupt Blocks
    • Missing Redo During Block Recovery
• Prerequisites for Block Media Recovery
• Recovering Individual Blocks
• Recovering All Blocks in V$DATABASE_BLOCK_CORRUPTION

20 Performing RMAN Recovery: Advanced Scenarios

• Recovering a NOARCHIVELOG Database with Incremental Backups
• Restoring the Server Parameter File
  • Restoring the Server Parameter File from a Control File Autobackup
  • Creating an Initialization Parameter File with RMAN
• Performing Recovery with a Backup Control File
  • About Recovery with a Backup Control File
    • Control File Locations
    • Recovery With and Without a Recovery Catalog
    • Recovery When Using a Fast Recovery Area
  • Performing Recovery with a Backup Control File and No Recovery Catalog
• Performing Disaster Recovery
  • Prerequisites of Disaster Recovery
  • Recovering the Database After a Disaster
• Restoring a Database on a New Host
  • Preparing to Restore a Database on a New Host
    • Restoring Disk Backups to a New Host
  • Testing the Restore of a Database on a New Host

21 Performing RMAN Tablespace Point-in-Time Recovery (TSPITR)

• Overview of RMAN TSPITR
  • Purpose of RMAN TSPITR
  • Basic Concepts of RMAN TSPITR
    • Common Terms
    • Modes of RMAN TSPITR
    • How RMAN TSPITR Works With an RMAN-Managed Auxiliary Instance
• TSPITR Restrictions, Special Cases, and Limitations
  • Limitations of TSPITR
  • Special Considerations When Not Using a Recovery Catalog
• Planning and Preparing for TSPITR
  • Step 1: Select the Right Target Time for TSPITR
  • Step 2: Determine the Recovery Set
    • Identify and Resolve Dependencies on the Primary Database
  • Step 3: Identify and Preserve Objects That Are Lost After TSPITR
• Performing Fully Automated RMAN TSPITR
• Overriding Defaults for RMAN TSPITR with an RMAN-Managed Auxiliary Instance
  • Renaming TSPITR Recovery Set Data Files with SET NEWNAME
  • Naming TSPITR Auxiliary Set Data Files
    • Considerations When Renaming OMF Auxiliary Set Files in TSPITR
    • Using SET NEWNAME to Name Auxiliary Set Data Files
    • Using DB_FILE_NAME_CONVERT to Name Auxiliary Set Data Files
  • Using Image Copies for Faster RMAN TSPITR Performance
    • Using SET NEWNAME with Recovery Set Image Copies
    • Using SET NEWNAME and CONFIGURE AUXNAME with Auxiliary Set Image Copies
    • Performing TSPITR with CONFIGURE AUXNAME and Image Copies: Scenario
  • Customizing Initialization Parameters for the Automatic Auxiliary Instance in TSPITR
    • Specifying the Auxiliary Instance Control File Location in TSPITR
    • Specifying the Auxiliary Instance Archived Logs in TSPITR
    • Specifying the Auxiliary Instance Online Log Location in TSPITR
• Performing RMAN TSPITR Using Your Own Auxiliary Instance
  • Preparing Your Own Auxiliary Instance for RMAN TSPITR
    • Step 1: Create an Oracle Password File for the Auxiliary Instance
    • Step 2: Create an Initialization Parameter File for the Auxiliary Instance
    • Step 3: Check Oracle Net Connectivity to the Auxiliary Instance
  • Preparing RMAN Commands for TSPITR with Your Own Auxiliary Instance
    • Planning Channels for TSPITR with Your Own Auxiliary Instance
    • Planning Data File Names with Your Own Auxiliary Instance: SET NEWNAME
  • Executing TSPITR with Your Own Auxiliary Instance
    • Step 1: Start the Auxiliary Instance in NOMOUNT Mode
    • Step 2: Connect the RMAN Client to Target and Auxiliary Instances
    • Step 3: Execute the RECOVER TABLESPACE Command
  • Performing TSPITR with Your Own Auxiliary Instance: Scenario
• Troubleshooting RMAN TSPITR
  • Troubleshooting Filename Conflicts
  • Troubleshooting the Identification of Tablespaces with Undo Segments
  • Troubleshooting the Restart of a Manual Auxiliary Instance After TSPITR Failure

Part VI Tuning and Troubleshooting

22 Tuning RMAN Performance

• Purpose of RMAN Performance Tuning
• Basic Concepts of RMAN Performance Tuning
  • Read Phase
    • Allocation of Input Disk Buffers
    • Synchronous and Asynchronous Disk I/O
    • Disk I/O Slaves
    • RATE Channel Parameter
  • Copy Phase
  • Write Phase for System Backup Tape (SBT)
    • RMAN Component of the Write Phase for SBT
    • Media Manager Component of the Write Phase for SBT
  • Write Phase for Disk
• Using V$ Views to Diagnose RMAN Performance Problems
  • Monitoring RMAN Job Progress with V$SESSION_LONGOPS
  • Identifying Bottlenecks with V$BACKUP_SYNC_IO and V$BACKUP_ASYNC_IO
    • Identifying Bottlenecks with Synchronous I/O
    • Identifying Bottlenecks with Asynchronous I/O
• Tuning RMAN Backup Performance
  • Step 1: Remove the RATE Parameter from Channel Settings
  • Step 2: If You Use Synchronous Disk I/O, Set DBWR_IO_SLAVES
  • Step 3: If You Fail to Allocate Shared Memory, Set LARGE_POOL_SIZE
  • Step 4: Tune the Read, Write, and Copy Phases
    • Using Backup Validation To Distinguish Between Read and Write Bottlenecks
    • Tuning the Read Phase
    • Tuning the Copy and Write Phases

23 Troubleshooting RMAN Operations

• Interpreting RMAN Message Output
  • Identifying Types of Message Output
  • Recognizing RMAN Error Message Stacks
  • Identifying Error Codes
    • RMAN Error Message Numbers
    • ORA-19511: Media Manager Errors
  • Interpreting RMAN Error Stacks
    • Interpreting RMAN Errors: Example
    • Interpreting Server Errors: Example
    • Interpreting SBT 2.0 Media Management Errors: Example
    • Interpreting SBT 1.1 Media Management Errors: Example
  • Identifying RMAN Return Codes
• Using V$ Views for RMAN Troubleshooting
  • Monitoring RMAN Interaction with the Media Manager
  • Correlating Server Sessions with RMAN Channels
    • Matching Server Sessions with Channels When One RMAN Session Is Active
    • Matching Server Sessions with Channels in Multiple RMAN Sessions
• Testing the Media Management API
  • Obtaining the sbttest Utility
  • Obtaining Online Documentation for the sbttest Utility
  • Using the sbttest Utility
• Terminating an RMAN Command
  • Terminating the Session with ALTER SYSTEM KILL SESSION
  • Terminating the Session at the Operating System Level
  • Terminating an RMAN Session That Is Not Responding in the Media Manager
    • Components of an RMAN Session
    • Process Behavior During a Suspended Job
    • Terminating an RMAN Session: Basic Steps

Part VII Transferring Data with RMAN

24 Duplicating a Database

• Overview of RMAN Database Duplication
  • Purpose of Database Duplication
  • Basic Concepts of Database Duplication
    • Techniques for Duplicating a Database
    • Contents of a Duplicate Database
    • How RMAN Duplicates a Database
  • Basic Steps of Database Duplication
• Preparing to Duplicate a Database
  • Step 1: Choosing a Duplication Technique
  • Step 2: Choosing a Strategy for Naming Duplicate Files
  • Step 3: Making Backups Accessible to the Duplicate Instance
    • Making SBT Backups Accessible to the Auxiliary Instance
    • Making Disk Backups Accessible to the Auxiliary Instance
  • Step 4: Preparing Remote Access to Databases
    • Establishing Connectivity in Required Cases
    • Creating a Password File for the Auxiliary Instance
  • Step 5: Creating an Initialization Parameter File and Starting the Auxiliary Instance
• Placing the Source Database in the Proper State
• Starting RMAN and Connecting to Databases
• Configuring RMAN Channels for Use in Duplication
  • Configuring Channels for Active Database Duplication
  • Configuring Channels for Backup-Based Duplication
• Duplicating a Database
  • Backup-Based Duplication Without a Target Connection: Example
  • Backup-Based Duplication with a Target Connection: Example
  • Backup-Based Duplication Without a Target and a Recovery Catalog Connection: Example
• Restarting DUPLICATE After a Failure

25 Duplicating a Database: Advanced Topics

• Specifying Alternative Names for Duplicate Database Files
  • Specifying Non-OMF or Non-ASM Alternative Names for Duplicate Database Files
    • Using SET NEWNAME to Name File System Data Files and Temp Files
    • Using CONFIGURE AUXNAME to Name File System Data Files and OMF/ASM Target Data Files
  • Specifying OMF or ASM Alternative Names for Duplicate Database Files
    • Settings and Restrictions for OMF Initialization Parameters
    • Setting Initialization Parameters for ASM
    • Using SET NEWNAME to Create OMF or ASM Files
    • Using DB_FILE_NAME_CONVERT to Generate Names for Non-OMF or ASM Data Files
    • Using LOG_FILE_NAME_CONVERT to Generate Names for Non-OMF or ASM Log Files
• Making Disk Backups Accessible Without Shared Disk
• Duplicating a Database When No Server Parameter File Exists
• Starting the Auxiliary Instance When No Server Parameter File Exists
• Duplicating a Subset of the Source Database Tablespaces
  • Excluding Specified Tablespaces
  • Including Specified Tablespaces

26 Creating Transportable Tablespace Sets

• Overview of Creating Transportable Tablespace Sets
  • Purpose of Creating Transportable Tablespace Sets
  • Basic Concepts of Transportable Tablespace Sets
  • Basic Steps of Creating Transportable Tablespace Sets
• Customizing Initialization Parameters for the Auxiliary Instance
  • Setting Initialization Parameters for the Auxiliary Instance
  • Setting the Location of the Auxiliary Instance Parameter File
• Creating a Transportable Tablespace Set
• Troubleshooting the Creation of Transportable Tablespace Sets
• Transportable Tablespace Set Scenarios
  • Creating a Transportable Tablespace Set at a Specified Time or SCN
  • Specifying Locations for Data Pump Files
  • Specifying Auxiliary File Locations
    • Using SET NEWNAME for Auxiliary Data Files
    • Using CONFIGURE AUXNAME for Auxiliary Data Files
    • Using AUXILIARY DESTINATION to Specify a Location for Auxiliary Files
    • Using Initialization Parameters to Name Auxiliary Files

27 Transporting Data Across Platforms

• Overview of Cross-Platform Data Transportation
  • Purpose of Cross-Platform Data Transportation
  • Basic Concepts of Cross-Platform Data Transportation
    • Tablespace and Data File Conversion
    • Database Conversion
• Performing Cross-Platform Tablespace Conversion on the Source Host
• Performing Cross-Platform Data File Conversion on the Destination Host
  • About Cross-Platform Data File Conversion on the Destination Host
  • Using CONVERT DATAFILE to Convert Data File Formats
• Checking the Database Before Cross-Platform Database Conversion
• Converting Data Files on the Source Host When Transporting a Database
• Converting Data Files on the Destination Host When Transporting a Database
  • Performing Preliminary Data File Conversion Steps on the Source Host
  • Converting Data Files on the Destination Host

Part VIII Performing User-Managed Backup and Recovery

28 Making User-Managed Database Backups

• Querying V$ Views to Obtain Backup Information
  • Listing Database Files Before a Backup
  • Determining Data File Status for Online Tablespace Backups
• Making User-Managed Backups of the Whole Database
• Making User-Managed Backups of Tablespaces and Data Files
  • Making User-Managed Backups of Offline Tablespaces and Data Files
  • Making User-Managed Backups of Online Tablespaces and Data Files
    • Making User-Managed Backups of Online Read/Write Tablespaces
    • Making Multiple User-Managed Backups of Online Read/Write Tablespaces
    • Ending a Backup After an Instance Failure or SHUTDOWN ABORT
    • Making User-Managed Backups of Read-Only Tablespaces
• Making User-Managed Backups of the Control File
  • Backing Up the Control File to a Binary File
  • Backing Up the Control File to a Trace File
• Making User-Managed Backups of Archived Redo Logs
• Making User-Managed Backups in SUSPEND Mode
  • About the Suspend/Resume Feature
  • Making Backups in a Suspended Database
• Making User-Managed Backups to Raw Devices
  • Backing Up to Raw Devices on Linux and UNIX
    • Backing Up with the dd Utility on Linux and UNIX: Examples
  • Backing Up to Raw Devices on Windows
    • Backing Up with OCOPY: Example
    • Specifying the -b and -r Options for OCOPY: Example
• Making Backups with the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS)
• Verifying User-Managed Data File Backups
  • Testing the Restoration of Data File Backups
  • Running the DBVERIFY Utility

29 Performing User-Managed Database Flashback and Recovery

• Performing Flashback Database with SQL*Plus
• Overview of User-Managed Media Recovery
  • About User-Managed Restore and Recovery
  • Automatic Recovery with the RECOVER Command
    • Automatic Recovery with SET AUTORECOVERY
    • Automatic Recovery with the AUTOMATIC Option of the RECOVER Command
  • Recovery When Archived Logs Are in the Default Location
  • Recovery When Archived Logs Are in a Nondefault Location
    • Resetting the Archived Log Destination
    • Overriding the Archived Log Destination
  • Recovery Cancellation
  • Parallel Media Recovery
• Performing Complete Database Recovery
  • Performing Closed Database Recovery
  • Performing Open Database Recovery
• Performing Incomplete Database Recovery
  • Performing Cancel-Based Incomplete Recovery
  • Performing Time-Based or Change-Based Incomplete Recovery
• Recovering a Database in NOARCHIVELOG Mode
• Troubleshooting Media Recovery
  • About User-Managed Media Recovery Problems
  • Investigating the Media Recovery Problem: Phase 1
  • Trying to Fix the Recovery Problem Without Corrupting Blocks: Phase 2
  • Deciding Whether to Allow Recovery to Mark as Corrupt Blocks: Phase 3
  • Allowing Recovery to Corrupt Blocks: Phase 4
  • Performing Trial Recovery
    • How Trial Recovery Works
    • Executing the RECOVER ... TEST Statement

30 Performing User-Managed Recovery: Advanced Scenarios

• Responding to the Loss of a Subset of the Current Control Files
  • Copying a Multiplexed Control File to a Default Location
  • Copying a Multiplexed Control File to a Nondefault Location
• Recovering After the Loss of All Current Control Files
  • Recovering with a Backup Control File in the Default Location
  • Recovering with a Backup Control File in a Nondefault Location
  • Recovering Through an Added Data File with a Backup Control File
  • Recovering Read-Only Tablespaces with a Backup Control File
• Re-Creating a Control File
  • Recovering Through a RESETLOGS with a Created Control File
  • Recovery of Read-Only Files with a Re-Created Control File
• Re-Creating Data Files When Backups Are Unavailable
• Recovering NOLOGGING Tables and Indexes
• Recovering Transportable Tablespaces
• Recovering After the Loss of Online Redo Log Files
  • Recovering After Losing a Member of a Multiplexed Online Redo Log Group
  • Recovering After Losing All Members of an Online Redo Log Group
    • Losing an Inactive Online Redo Log Group
    • Losing an Active Online Redo Log Group
    • Loss of Multiple Redo Log Groups
• Recovering from a Dropped Table Without Using Flashback Features
• Dropping a Database with SQL*Plus

Glossary

Index