Integrating Oracle and Data Protector

 

Backing Up an Oracle Database

Oracle Online

As opposed to an offline backup, an online backup is performed when a

 

database is open.

 

The backup of an open database is inconsistent, because portions of the

 

database are being modified and written to disk while the backup is

 

progressing. Such changes to the database are entered into the online

 

redo logs as well. A database running in the ARCHIVELOG mode enables

 

the archiving of the online redo logs. In the case of a restore, this feature

 

is essential to bring a database to a consistent state as part of the entire

 

restore process.

 

When using an online backup, the following must be done in order to

 

bring the database to a consistent state:

 

1. Restore the database files (which are inconsistent) to disk.

 

2. Perform a database recovery, which requires applying the Archived

 

Redo Logs. This is an Oracle operation.

 

An Oracle online database backup can be performed using the Oracle

 

RMAN utility or Data Protector GUI. In the latter case, Data Protector

 

creates and executes the RMAN script automatically based on data

 

entered in the Data Protector GUI. During an Oracle online backup, the

 

Oracle target database is open, while tablespaces, datafiles, control files,

 

and archived redo logs are being backed up.

 

The database must operate in the ARCHIVELOG mode so that the current

 

Online Redo Logs are archived to the Archived Redo Logs.

 

 

IMPORTANT

Before you run an Oracle online backup, make sure that the database is

 

really operating in ARCHIVELOG mode. This can be done on the Oracle

 

server system by starting SQL*Plus and issuing the following command:

 

archive log list;

 

If the Oracle target database is not operating in the ARCHIVELOG mode,

 

 

proceed as follows:

 

If SPFILE is used:

 

1. Shut down the database.

 

2. Mount the database.

56

Chapter 1