The scheduled backup writes in the backup1 and backup2 folders, in rotation. The Backup Now backup from the management server keeps overwriting in the current folder. See ”Architectural Overview of RMAN Backups” on page 229 for more information about RMAN backups.

Database Mode

The database can be set to archive mode or no-archive mode. This section contains the following topics:

•Archive Mode, page 228

•No-Archive Mode, page 228

Archive Mode

To facilitate the HOT RMAN backup, you must change the database mode to archive mode, as described in ”Changing the Archive Mode” on page 240. The default database archive destination is

\oracle\oradata\APPIQ\archive on Microsoft Windows and

$ORACLE_HOME/oradata/APPIQ/archive on UNIX systems. This destination can be modified as described in ”Changing the Archive Destination” on page 242.

Depending on the input/output of the data, archiving can be in the range of 2.5 GB to 10 GB per day. The archive folder gets cleaned during on a scheduled RMAN backup.

When you change the database to archive mode, you reset the logs SCN, set the archive parameter in the database parameter file and enable the RMAN backup scheduler. Take a current RMAN backup after switching to archive mode, as described in ”Performing an RMAN Hot Backup” on page 230.

No-Archive Mode

You can change the database mode to run in no-archive mode with RMAN backup disabled, as described in ”Changing the Archive Mode” on page 240. When you change the database to no-archive mode, you reset the logs SCN, set the archive parameter in the database parameter file and disable the RMAN backup scheduler.

IMPORTANT: Export the database after switching to no-archive mode. See ”Exporting the Database” on page 236 for more information.

Keep in mind the following implications if you do decide to change the database to no-archive mode:

•If you set the management server to no-archive mode, it is up to you to back up the management server manually. If you forget to back up your management server and your management server fails, you will not have a database to import. To learn more about manual backups, see ”Running a Cold Backup” on page 241. Export the database after you change the database mode to no-archive. See ”Exporting the Database” on page 236.

•Scheduled RMAN backup sessions do not run. If you change the database mode to no-archive during an RMAN backup, the RMAN backup will error out.

228 Database Maintenance and Management