ORACLE RMAN Backup types

RMAN - Sample Backup Scripts 10g

• Backup up Whole Database Backups with RMAN
• Backing up Individual Tablespaces with RMAN
• Backing up Individual Datafiles and Datafile Copies with RMAN
• Backing up Control Files with RMAN
• Backing up Server Parameter Files with RMAN
• Backing up Archived Redo Logs with RMAN
• Backing up the Whole database including archivelogs
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Making Whole Database Backups with RMAN

You can perform whole database backups with the database mounted or open. To perform a whole database backup from the RMAN prompt the BACKUP DATABASE command can be used. The simplest form of the command requires no parameters, as shown in this example:

RMAN> backup database;
In the following example no backup location was specified meaning that the backups will automatically be placed in the Flash Recovery Area (FRA). If the FRA has not been setup then all backups default to $ORACLE_HOME/dbs.

How to check if the RFA has been setup:

SQL> show parameter recovery_file_dest

NAME TYPE VALUE
------------------------------------ ----------- ------------------------------
db_recovery_file_dest string /recovery_area
db_recovery_file_dest_size big integer 50G

If your FRA is not setup (ie values are null) please refer to the following note for assistance in setting it up.

Note 305648.1 What is a Flash Recovery Area and how to configure it ?

If you wish to place your backup outside the FRA then following RMAN syntax may be used.

RMAN> backup database format '/backups/PROD/df_t%t_s%s_p%p';

• Backing Up Individual Table-spaces with RMAN

RMAN allows individual tablespaces to be backed up with the database in open or mount stage.

RMAN> backup tablespace SYSTEM, UNDOTBS, USERS;

• Backing Up Individual Datafiles and Datafile Copies with RMAN

The flexibilty of being able to backup a single datafile is also available. As seen below you are able to reference the datafile via the file# or file name. Multiple datafiles can be backed up at a time.

RMAN> backup datafile 2;

RMAN> backup datafile 2 format '/backups/PROD/df_t%t_s%s_p%p';

RMAN> backup datafile 1,2,3,6,7,8;

RMAN> backup datafile '/oradata/system01.dbf';

• Backing Up the current controlfile & Spfile 

The controlfile and spfile are backed up in similar ways. Whenever a full database backup if performed, the controlfile and spfile are backed up. In fact whenever file#1 is backed up these two files are backed up also.

It is also good practise to backup the controlfile especially after tablespaces and datafiles have been added or deleted.

If you are not using an RMAN catalog it is more impotant that you frequently backup of your controlfile. You can also configure another method of controlfile backup which is referred to as 'autobackup of controlfile'.

Refer to the manual for more information regarding this feature.

RMAN> backup current controlfile;

RMAN> backup current controlfile format '/backups/PROD/df_t%t_s%s_p%p';

RMAN> backup spfile;

• Backing Up Archivelogs

It is important that archivelogs are backed up in a timely manner and correctly removed to ensure the file system does not fill up. Below are a few different examples. Option one backs up all archive logs to the FRA or default location. Option two backs up all archivelogs generate between 7 and 30 days and option three backs up archive logs from log sequence number XXX until logseq YYY then deletes the archivelogs. It also backups the archive logs to a specified location.

RMAN> backup archivelog all;

RMAN> backup archivelog from time 'sysdate-30' until time 'sysdate-7';

RMAN> backup archivelog from logseq=XXX until logseq=YYY delete input format '/backups/PROD/%d_archive_%T_%u_s%s_p%p';

• Backing up the Whole database including archivelogs

Below is an example of how the whole database can be backed up and at the same time backup the archive logs and purge them following a successful backup. The first example backups up to the FRA, however it you wish to redirect the output the second command shows how this is achieved.

RMAN> backup database plus archivelog delete input;

RMAN> backup database plus archivelog delete input format '/backups/PROD/df_t%t_s%s_p%p';