Oracle8i Backup and Recovery Guide

What Is Backup and Recovery?

How Oracle Keeps Records of Database Transactions

Backup and Recovery Operations

Elementary Backup and Recovery Strategy

Which Data Structures Are Important for Backup and Recovery?

Datafiles

Control Files

Rollback Segments

Online Redo Log Files

Archived Redo Log Files

Understanding Basic Backup Strategy

Why Are Backups Important?

What Types of Failures Can Occur?

What Should You Back Up?

Which Backup Method Should You Use?

Should You Make Consistent or Inconsistent Backups?

How Often Should You Make Backups?

Understanding Basic Recovery Strategy

How Does Recovery Work?

What Are the Types of Recovery?

What Is Media Recovery?

Which Recovery Method Should You Use?

Overview of Backup and Recovery Data Structures

Managing the Control File

Displaying Control File Information

Backing Up the Control File After Structural Changes

Maintaining Multiple Control Files

Recovering from the Loss of Control Files

Managing the Online Redo Log

Displaying Online Redo Log Information

Multiplexing Online Redo Log Files

Managing the Archived Redo Logs

Choosing Between NOARCHIVELOG and ARCHIVELOG Mode

Displaying Archived Redo Log Information

Archiving Redo Logs to Multiple Locations

Choosing Backup Types

Whole Database Backups

Tablespace Backups

Datafile Backups

Control File Backups

Choosing Backup Methods

Recovery Manager

Operating System (O/S)

Export

Enterprise Backup Utility

Feature Comparison of Backup Methods

Choosing Backup Formats

Backup Sets

Image Copies

Operating System Backups

Logical Backups

Developing a Backup Strategy

Decide Whether to Run in ARCHIVELOG or NOARCHIVELOG Mode

Multiplex Control Files, Online Redo Logs, and Archived Redo Logs

Perform Backups Frequently and Regularly

Perform Backups When You Make Structural Changes

Perform Frequent Backups of Often-Used Tablespaces

Perform Backups After Unrecoverable/Unlogged Operations

Perform Whole Database Backups After Using the RESETLOGS Option

Store Older Backups

Know the Constraints for Distributed Database Backups

Export Database Data for Added Protection and Flexibility

Do Not Back Up Online Redo Logs

Developing a Recovery Strategy

Test Backup and Recovery Strategies

Handling Non-Media Failures

Recovering from Media Failure

Overview of Recovery Manager

Recovery Manager Features

What Recovery Manager Is Not

Recovery Manager Commands

Recovery Manager PL/SQL Packages

How Recovery Manager Compiles and Executes Commands

Types of Recovery Manager Commands

User Execution of Recovery Manager Commands

Recovery Manager Command Errors

Recovery Manager Metadata

Storage of Metadata in the Recovery Catalog

Storage of Metadata Exclusively in the Control File

Media Management

Backup and Restore Operations Using a Media Manager

Media Manager Crosschecks

Proxy Copy

Media Manager Testing

Backup Solutions Program

Lists and Reports

Lists of Backups and Copies

Reports on Backups, Copies, and Database Schema

Channel Allocation

Channel Control Options

Channel Parallelization

Backup Sets

Storage of Backup Sets

Backup Set Compression

Filenames for Backup Pieces

Size of Backup Pieces

Number of Backup Sets

Multiplexed Backup Sets

Duplexed Backup Sets

Parallelization of Backups

Backup Types

Image Copies

Tags for Backups and Image Copies

Restoring Files

File Selection in Restore Operations

Restore Constraints

Media Recovery

Application of Incremental Backups and Redo Records

Incomplete Recovery

Tablespace Point-in-Time Recovery

Database Duplication

Integrity Checks

Detection of Physical Block Corruption

Detection of Logical Block Corruption

Detection of Fractured Blocks During Open Backups

Setting Up Recovery Manager

Using Password Files

Setting NLS Environment Variables

Determining the Snapshot Control File Location

Deciding Whether to Use a Recovery Catalog

Consequences of Using the Recovery Catalog for RMAN Metadata

Consequences of Using the Control File for RMAN Metadata

Connecting to RMAN

Connecting to RMAN Without a Recovery Catalog

Connecting to RMAN with a Recovery Catalog

Connecting to an Auxiliary Database

Disconnecting from RMAN

Using Basic RMAN Commands

Connecting to RMAN

Mounting the Database

Reporting the Current Schema

Copying a Datafile

Backing Up a Tablespace

Listing Backups and Copies

Validating a Restore

Configuring a Media Manager

Linking with a Media Manager

Generating Unique Filenames

Limiting File Size

Sending Device-Specific Strings to the Media Manager

Troubleshooting the Media Manager

Using Sample Scripts and Scenarios

Creating the Recovery Catalog

Maintaining RMAN Metadata

Registering a Database with the Recovery Catalog

Unregistering a Database from the Recovery Catalog

Resetting the Recovery Catalog

Changing the Availability of a Backup or File Copy

Crosschecking RMAN Metadata

Deleting Backups and Copies and Updating Their Status in the RMAN Metadata

Validating the Restore of Backups and Copies

Storing Scripts in the Recovery Catalog

Resynchronizing the Recovery Catalog

Managing Records in the Control File

Cataloging O/S Backups

Backing Up and Recovering the Recovery Catalog

Backing Up the Recovery Catalog

Recovering the Recovery Catalog

Re-Creating the Recovery Catalog

Upgrading the Recovery Catalog

Dropping the Recovery Catalog

Managing RMAN Metadata Without a Recovery Catalog

Maintaining the Control File Metadata

Backing Up the Control File

Using Lists and Reports in Your Backup and Recovery Strategy

Generating Lists

Generating Reports

List and Report Scenarios

Makings Lists of Backups and Copies

Using Lists to Determine Obsolete Backups and Copies

Reporting Datafiles Needing Backups

Reporting Unrecoverable Datafiles

Reporting Obsolete Backups and Copies

Deleting Obsolete Backups

Generating Historical Reports of Database Schema

Making Backups

Making Consistent and Inconsistent Backups

Making Whole Database Backups

Backing Up Tablespaces and Datafiles

Backing Up Control Files

Backing Up Archived Redo Logs

Making Incremental Backups

Making Image Copies

Monitoring Backup and Copy Operations

Correlating Server Sessions with Channels

Monitoring Progress

Monitoring Performance

Backup and Copy Scenarios

Reporting Datafiles Needing Backups

Skipping Files when Backing Up a Database

Spreading a Backup Across Multiple Disk Drives

Backing Up a Large Database to Multiple Filesystems

Specifying the Size of Backup Sets

Multiplexing Datafiles in a Backup

Backing Up Archived Redo Logs

Backing Up and Deleting Multiple Copies of an Archived Redo Log

Performing Differential Incremental Backups

Performing Cumulative Incremental Backups

Duplexing Backup Sets

Parallelizing Backup Sets

Backing Up in NOARCHIVELOG Mode

Backing Up in a Parallel Server Environment

Cataloging O/S Copies

Maintaining Backups and Copies

Handling Errors During Backups and Copies

Restoring Datafiles, Control Files, and Archived Redo Logs

Restoring a Database

Restoring Tablespaces and Datafiles

Restoring Control Files

Restoring Archived Redo Logs

Restoring in Preparation for Incomplete Recovery

Recovering Datafiles

Preparing for Media Recovery

Performing Complete Recovery

Performing Incomplete Recovery

Restore and Recovery Scenarios

Using Datafile Copies to Restore to a New Host

Restoring when Multiple Databases Share the Same Name

Performing an Irregular Restore of the Control File from a Backup Set

Recovering an Inaccessible Datafile in an Open Database

Recovering an Inaccessible Datafile Using Backups from Disk and Tape

Performing Recovery After a Total Media Failure

Recovering a Pre-RESETLOGS Backup

Recovering a Database in NOARCHIVELOG Mode

Creating a Duplicate Database: Overview

Obeying Restrictions

Generating Files for the Duplicate Database

Preparing the Auxiliary Instance for Duplication

Creating a Duplicate Database on a Local or Remote Host

Duplicating a Database on a Remote Host with the Same Directory Structure

Duplicating a Database on a Remote Host with a Different Directory Structure

Creating a Duplicate Database on the Local Host

Duplication Scenarios

Setting New Filenames Manually

Resynchronizing the Duplicate Database with the Target Database

Creating a Non-Current Duplicate Database

Conventions Used in this Reference

Command Entries

Summary of RMAN Commands

allocate

allocateForMaint

alterDatabase

archivelogRecordSpecifier

backup

catalog

change

cmdLine

completedTimeSpec

connect

connectStringSpec

copy

createCatalog

createScript

crosscheck

datafileSpec

debug

deleteExpired

deleteScript

deviceSpecifier

dropCatalog

duplicate

host

list

listObjList

printScript

recover

register

release

releaseForMaint

replaceScript

replicate

report

reset

restore

resync

rmanCmd

run

send

set

set_run_option

shutdown

sql

startup

switch

untilClause

upgradeCatalog

validate

RC_ARCHIVED_LOG

RC_BACKUP_CONTROLFILE

RC_BACKUP_CORRUPTION

RC_BACKUP_DATAFILE

RC_BACKUP_PIECE

RC_BACKUP_REDOLOG

RC_BACKUP_SET

RC_CHECKPOINT

RC_CONTROLFILE_COPY

RC_COPY_CORRUPTION

RC_DATABASE

RC_DATABASE_INCARNATION

RC_DATAFILE

RC_DATAFILE_COPY

RC_LOG_HISTORY

RC_OFFLINE_RANGE

RC_PROXY_CONTROLFILE

RC_PROXY_DATAFILE

RC_REDO_LOG

RC_REDO_THREAD

RC_RESYNC

RC_STORED_SCRIPT

RC_STORED_SCRIPT_LINE

RC_TABLESPACE

Listing Database Files Before Performing a Backup

Performing O/S Backups

Performing Whole Database Backups

Performing Tablespace and Datafile Backups

Performing Control File Backups

Recovering From a Failed Online Tablespace Backup

Using Export and Import for Supplemental Protection

Using Export

Using Import

What Is Media Recovery?

Restoring Files

Recovering Datafiles

Determining Which Files to Recover

Restoring Files

Restoring Backup Datafiles

Re-Creating Datafiles when Backups Are Unavailable

Restoring Necessary Archived Redo Log Files

Understanding Basic Media Recovery Procedures

Using Media Recovery Statements

Applying Archived Redo Logs

Recovering a Database in NOARCHIVELOG Mode

Recovering a Database in ARCHIVELOG Mode

Performing Media Recovery in Parallel

Performing Complete Media Recovery

Performing Closed Database Recovery

Performing Open Database Recovery

Performing Incomplete Media Recovery

Performing Cancel-Based Recovery

Performing Time-Based Recovery

Performing Change-Based Recovery

Opening the Database after Media Recovery

Deciding Whether to Specify RESETLOGS or NORESETLOGS

Guidelines for Opening in RESETLOGS Mode

Recovering a Pre-RESETLOGS Backup

Understanding the Types of Media Failures

Recovering After the Loss of Datafiles

Losing Datafiles in NOARCHIVELOG Mode

Losing Datafiles in ARCHIVELOG Mode

Recovering Through an ADD DATAFILE Operation

Recovering Transported Tablespaces

Recovering After the Loss of Online Redo Log Files

Recovering After Losing a Member of a Multiplexed Online Redo Log Group

Recovering After the Loss of All Members of an Online Redo Log Group

Recovering After the Loss of Archived Redo Log Files

Recovering After the Loss of Control Files

Losing a Member of a Multiplexed Control File

Losing All Copies of the Current Control File

Recovering from User Errors

Performing Media Recovery in a Distributed Environment

Coordinating Time-Based and Change-Based Distributed Database Recovery

Recovering a Database with Snapshots

Planning a Standby Database

Standby Database Advantages

Standby Database Requirements

Creating a Standby Database

Choosing the Standby Database Mode

Maintaining a Standby Database in Recovery Mode

Placing the Standby in Manual Recovery Mode

Placing the Standby Database in Managed Recovery Mode

Transmitting Archived Redo Logs to a Standby Database

Maintaining the Standby Database in Recovery Mode

Opening a Standby Database in Read-Only Mode

Activating a Standby Database

Altering the Physical Structure of the Primary Database

Adding Datafiles

Renaming Datafiles

Altering Redo Logs

Altering Control Files

Configuring Initialization Parameters

Taking Datafiles in the Standby Database Offline

Performing Direct Path Operations

Refreshing the Standby Database Control File

Using a Standby Database in an OPS Configuration

Introduction to RMAN TSPITR

Planning for TSPITR

Performing TSPITR Without a Recovery Catalog

Understanding General Restrictions

Researching and Resolving Inconsistencies

Managing Data Relationships

Preparing the Auxiliary Instance for TSPITR

Performing TSPITR

Preparing the Target Database for Use After TSPITR

Responding to Unsuccessful TSPITR

Tuning TSPITR Performance

Specify a New Name for Datafiles in Auxiliary Set Tablespaces

Set the Auxiliary Name and Use a Datafile Copy for Recovery Manager TSPITR

Use the Converted Filename in the Auxiliary Control File

Summary: Datafile Naming Methods

Introduction to O/S Tablespace Point-in-Time Recovery

TSPITR Advantages

TSPITR Methods

TSPITR Terminology

Planning for Tablespace Point-in-Time Recovery

TSPITR Limitations

TSPITR Requirements

Preparing the Databases for TSPITR

Step 1: Determine Whether Objects Will Be Lost

Step 2: Research and Resolve Dependencies on the Primary Database

Step 3: Prepare the Primary Database

Step 4: Prepare the Clone Parameter Files

Step 5: Prepare the Clone Database

Performing TSPITR

Step 1: Recover the Clone Database

Step 2: Open the Clone Database

Step 3: Prepare the Clone Database for Export

Step 4: Export the Metadata

Step 5: Copy the Recovery Set Clone Files to the Primary Database

Step 6: Import the Metadata into the Primary Database

Step 7: Prepare the Primary Database for Use

Step 8: Back Up the Recovered Tablespaces in the Primary Database

Performing Partial TSPITR of Partitioned Tables

Step 1: Create a Table on the Primary Database for Each Partition Being Recovered

Step 2: Drop the Indexes on the Partition Being Recovered

Step 3: Exchange Partitions with Stand-Alone Tables

Step 4:Take the Recovery Set Tablespace Offline

Step 5: Create Tables at Clone Database

Step 6: Drop Indexes on Partitions Being Recovered

Step 7: Exchange Partitions with Stand-Alone Tables

Step 8: Export the Clone Database

Step 9: Copy the Recovery Set Datafiles to the Primary Database

Step 10: Import into the Primary Database

Step 11: Bring Recovery Set Tablespace Online

Step 12: Exchange Partitions with Stand-Alone Tables

Step 13: Back Up the Recovered Tablespaces in the Primary Database

Performing TSPITR of Partitioned Tables When a Partition Has Been Dropped

Step 1: Find the Low and High Range of the Partition that Was Dropped

Step 2: Create a Temporary Table

Step 3: Delete Records From Partitioned Table

Step 4: Take Recovery Set Tablespaces Offline

Step 5: Create Tables at Clone Database

Step 6: Drop Indexes on Partitions Being Recovered

Step 7: Exchange Partitions with Stand-Alone Tables

Step 8: Export the Clone Database

Step 9: Copy the Recovery Set Datafiles to the Primary Database

Step 10: Import into the Primary Database

Step 11: Bring Recovery Set Tablespace Online

Step 12: Insert Stand-Alone Tables into Partitioned Tables

Step 13: Back Up the Recovered Tablespaces in the Primary Database

Performing TSPITR of Partitioned Tables When a Partition Has Split

Step 1: Drop the Lower of the Two Partitions at the Primary Database

Steps 2-13: Follow Same Steps as for Partial TSPITR of Partitioned Tablespaces

TSPITR Tuning Considerations

Recovery Set Location Considerations

Backup Control File Considerations

Performing TSPITR Using Transportable Tablespaces

Contents

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Preface

Part I Developing a Backup and Recovery Strategy

1 What Is Backup and Recovery?

2 Managing Data Structures

3 Developing a Backup and Recovery Strategy

Part II Using Recovery Manager

4 Recovery Manager Concepts

5 Getting Started with Recovery Manager

6 Managing Recovery Manager Metadata

7 Generating Lists and Reports with Recovery Manager

8 Making Backups and Copies with Recovery Manager

9 Restoring and Recovering with Recovery Manager

10 Creating a Duplicate Database with Recovery Manager

Part III Recovery Manager Reference

11 Recovery Manager Command Syntax

12 Recovery Catalog Views

Part IV Performing Operating System Backup and Recovery

13 Performing Operating System Backups

14 Performing Operating System Recovery

15 Operating System Recovery Scenarios

16 Managing a Standby Database

A Performing Tablespace Point-in-Time Recovery with Recovery Manager

B Performing Operating System Tablespace Point-in-Time Recovery

Glossary

Index