Backups using RMAN

[ClowneUser]

Hi,

I'm very new to oracle 10g ( well oracle in general really ) but what i need to do is to be able to back up our 'live' database without having to take it down ( as we do at the moment)so users can use the db 24/7, someone suggested using RMAN to do this, all i want to do is backup the database to disk, then from there use veritas or the like to back this up to tape. A couple of questions:
Is this the best way to do this?
and how would i do this?

Thanks in advance,
Mick.

 

[hoinz]

Hi,
welcome to Oracle world!

In order to be able to take hot backups (i.e. while the database is up and running), an essential requirement is that your database is in archive log mode.
It will not be sufficient to copy files to some other directory.
The question whether to use RMAN isn't that important.

The advantage of RMAN is that it will allow you to do all the necessary actions, without requiring in-depth knowledge about Oracle's backup concepts.
Imho a database administrator must have in-depth knowledge; but for the beginning, RMAN could make your life easier.
You will find sample scripts for RMAN in the net, on Oracle's site, or by using Google.
But in any case, make a recovery test, just to be sure that you didn't miss anything important.

hope this helps

 

[stefanhei]

In addition to hoinz suggestions I'd add:

* Here is a link to the documentation provided by Oracle.

* As you're new to oracle I guess you are not familiar with archive log mode and do not know the implications of activating it. A lot of files will continuously be created and you'll need to manage them. RMAN can take care of them for you too - just do not forget to implement the required actions.

Stefan

 

[ClowneUser]

Thanks for your suggestions, I'll take a look at the link Stefan. We have archive logging switched on now as we do use veritas with an oracle agent to provide an open backup, but we need a full closed backup once a month for period end, at present we have to kick all users off the database, close it down, backup the database files, then let the users back on, which takes approx 80 minutes, what i'm looking to do is to do this full backup with rman either during the day, or at night, then backup the batabase files to tape with veritas....

Thanks again for your answers.

Mick.

 

[hoinz]

Hello Mick,

no I am a bit confused by this:
we need a full closed backup once a month

If you are doing a backup while the database is up and running, this backup by definition cannot be a closed backup ...
But why would you need a closed backup?

And if you currently are doing open backups, what would be the difference?
It is not a real difference whether you backup to tapes directly, or first to disk and afterwards to tapes.

Or am I missing something?

 

[Thargy]

Clowne,

one of the main advantages of RMAN is that you don't have to shut down your database. You can schedule a backup in the middle of the night and once done, get your OS to backup to tape etc.

If you need to be able to recover to a particular point in time, RMAN has features specifically for that task. What's the functional requirement behind the closed database? It sounds a bit peculiar,to say the least.

Regards

Tharg

Grinding away at things Oracular

 

[KenCunningham]

By 'closed' do you mean with no users updating the database for period-end? If so, your best bet is surely to shut the database down completely.

I don't mind people who aren't what they seem. I just wish they'd make their mind up.