keepOption

Purpose

Use the keepOption subclause to specify the status of a backup or copy in relation to a retention policy.

Syntax

keepOption::=

Description of the illustration keepoption.gif

Usage Notes

RMAN does not consider backup pieces with the KEEP option when computing the backup retention policy. If available, RMAN uses these backups for disaster recovery restore operations, but their purpose is to produce a snapshot of the database that can be restored on another system for testing or historical usage.

When creating archival backups with KEEP, RMAN only considers KEEP backups with the same tag. Thus, when using keepOption with notBackedUpSpec, RMAN only skips a backup if it finds the specified maximum number of KEEP backups with the same tag. Other backups are not counted.

Semantics

Syntax Element	Description
`KEEP`	Specifies the backup as an archival backup, which is a self-contained backup that is exempt from the configured retention policy. An archival backup is self-contained because is contains all files necessary to restore the backup and recover it to a consistent state. If the database is open during the backup, then RMAN automatically generates and backs up the archived redo log files needed to make the database backup consistent (see Example 2-26). RMAN does not consider backup pieces with the `KEEP` option when computing the retention policy. If available, RMAN uses these backups for disaster recovery restore operations, but their purpose is to produce a snapshot of the database that can be restored on another system for testing or historical usage. Note: You cannot use `KEEP` to override the retention policy for files stored in the fast recovery area. If you specify `KEEP` when backing up to the recovery area, then RMAN issues an error. When `KEEP` is specified, RMAN creates multiple backup sets. RMAN backs up data files, archived redo log files, the control file, and the server parameter file with the options specified in the first `backupOperand`. Since a backup of the control file is already created, an autobackup of the control file is not created. RMAN uses the `FORMAT`, `POOL`, and `TAG` parameters for all the backups. For this reason, the `FORMAT` string must allow for the creation of multiple backup pieces. Specifying `%U` is the easiest way to meet this requirement. See Also: CONFIGURE and Oracle Database Backup and Recovery User's Guide to learn more about autobackup of the control file. When `KEEP` is specified with `INCREMENTAL LEVEL`, the parent backup must be a `KEEP` backup and have the same `TAG` string. Unless both these criteria are met, the backup cannot be created. Backups that meet these criteria do not interfere with other nightly or archival backup tasks. Note: A recovery catalog is only required for `KEEP FOREVER`. No other `KEEP` options require a catalog.
`FOREVER`	Specifies that the backup or copy never becomes obsolete (see Example 2-27). A recovery catalog is required when `FOREVER` is specified because the backup records eventually age out of the control file.
`UNTIL TIME` `'date_string'`	Specifies the time until which the backup or copy must be kept. After this time the backup is obsolete, regardless of the backup retention policy settings. You can either specify a specific time by using the current `NLS_DATE_FORMAT`, or a SQL date expression such as `'SYSDATE+365'`. If you specify a `KEEP TIME` such as `01-JAN-07`, then the backup becomes obsolete one second after midnight on this date. If you specify a `KEEP` time such as 9:00 p.m, then the backup becomes obsolete at 9:01 p.m.
`RESTORE POINT` `restore_point_name`	Creates a normal restore point matching the SCN to which RMAN must recover the backup to a consistent state (see Example 2-26). The restore point name must not exist. The SCN is captured just after the data file backups complete. The restore point is a label for the SCN to which this archival backup can be restored and recovered, enabling the database to be opened. In contrast, the `UNTIL TIME` clause specifies the date until which the backup must be kept. Note: The `RESTORE POINT` parameter is not valid with the `CHANGE` command.
`NOKEEP`	Specifies that any `KEEP` attributes no longer apply to the backup. Thus, the backup is a normal backup that is subject to the configured backup retention policy. This is the default behavior if no `KEEP` option is specified.

Examples

Example 4-23 Creating a Consistent Database Backup for Archival

This example makes a database backup with tag Q107 and specifies that it should never be considered obsolete (partial sample output included). The archived redo log files necessary to make the data files consistent are included in the backup set.

RMAN> BACKUP TAG Q107 DATABASE KEEP FOREVER;

Starting backup at 24-JAN-07

current log archived
allocated channel: ORA_SBT_TAPE_1
channel ORA_SBT_TAPE_1: SID=105 device type=SBT_TAPE
channel ORA_SBT_TAPE_1: Oracle Secure Backup
backup will never be obsolete
archived logs required to recover from this backup will be backed up
channel ORA_SBT_TAPE_1: starting full datafile backup set
channel ORA_SBT_TAPE_1: specifying datafile(s) in backup set
.
.
.

Example 4-24 Removing the KEEP Attributes for a Backup

This example backs up all archived redo log files. The KEEP clause specifies that one second after midnight on January 1, 2008 the backup is considered obsolete.

RMAN> BACKUP KEEP UNTIL TIME '01-JAN-08' ARCHIVELOG ALL;

The following command removes the KEEP attributes of all archived redo log backups (sample output included):

RMAN> CHANGE BACKUP OF ARCHIVELOG ALL NOKEEP;
 
using channel ORA_SBT_TAPE_1
allocated channel: ORA_DISK_1
channel ORA_DISK_1: SID=77 device type=DISK
keep attributes for the backup are deleted
backup set key=330 RECID=19 STAMP=612722760
keep attributes for the backup are deleted
backup set key=397 RECID=22 STAMP=612722884