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RMAN Environment

Recovery Manager (RMAN) is an Oracle Database client that performs backup and recovery tasks on your databases and automates administration of your backup strategies. It greatly simplifies backing up, restoring, and recovering database files.

The RMAN environment consists of the utilities and databases that play a role in backing up your data. At a minimum, the environment for RMAN must include the following components:

A target database

An Oracle Database to which RMAN is connected with the TARGET keyword. A target database is a database on which RMAN is performing backup and recovery operations. RMAN always maintains metadata about its operations on a database in the control file of the database. The RMAN metadata is known as the RMAN repository.

The RMAN client

An Oracle Database executable that interprets commands, directs server sessions to execute those commands, and records its activity in the target database control file. The RMAN executable is automatically installed with the database and is typically located in the same directory as the other database executables. For example, the RMAN client on Linux is located in $ORACLE_HOME/bin.

Some environments use the following optional components:

A fast recovery area

A disk location in which the database can store and manage files related to backup and recovery. You set the fast recovery area location and size with the DB_RECOVERY_FILE_DEST and DB_RECOVERY_FILE_DEST_SIZE initialization parameters.

A media management software

An application required for RMAN to interact with sequential media devices such as tape libraries. A media manager controls these devices during backup and recovery, managing the loading, labeling, and unloading of media. Media management devices are sometimes called SBT (system backup to tape) devices.

A recovery catalog

A separate database schema used to record RMAN activity against one or more target databases. A recovery catalog preserves RMAN repository metadata if the control file is lost, making it much easier to restore and recover following the loss of the control file. The database may overwrite older records in the control file, but RMAN maintains records forever in the catalog unless the records are deleted by the user.

This chapter explains how to use RMAN in the most basic configuration, which is without a recovery catalog or media manager.

See Also:

Configuring the RMAN Environment, and Configuring the RMAN Environment: Advanced Topics, to learn how to configure the RMAN environment

Backing Up a Database: Quick Start
Use the BACKUP command to back up files. RMAN backs up data to the configured default device for the type of backup requested.

By default, RMAN creates backups on disk. If a fast recovery area is enabled, and if you do not specify the FORMAT parameter (see Table 2-1), then RMAN creates backups in the recovery area and automatically gives them unique names.

By default, RMAN creates backup sets rather than image copies. A backup set consists of one or more backup pieces, which are physical files written in a format that only RMAN can access. A multiplexed backup set contains the blocks from multiple input files. RMAN can write backup sets to disk or tape.

If you specify BACKUP AS COPY, then RMAN copies each file as an image copy, which is a bit-for-bit copy of a database file created on disk. Image copies are identical to copies created with operating system commands like cp on Linux or COPY on Windows, but are recorded in the RMAN repository and so are usable by RMAN. You can use RMAN to make image copies while the database is open.

The following sections describe backing up databases in different modes:

About Typical RMAN Backup Options
Backing Up a Database in ARCHIVELOG Mode
Backing Up a Database in NOARCHIVELOG Mode
Making Incremental Backups
Making Incrementally Updated Backups
Scripting RMAN Operations

Typical RMAN Backup Options

The BACKUP command includes a host of options, parameters, and clauses that control backup output.

Specifies a location and name for backup pieces and copies. You must use substitution variables to generate unique file names.

The most common substitution variable is %U, which generates a unique name. Others include ?or the DB_NAME, %t for the backup set time stamp, %s for the backup set number, and %p for the backup piece number.

BACKUP
FORMAT 'AL_%d/%t/%s/%p' ARCHIVELOG LIKE '%arc_dest%'; TAG

Specifies a user-defined string as a label for the backup. If you do not specify a tag, then RMAN assigns a default tag with the date and time. Tags are always stored in the RMAN repository in uppercase.

BACKUP TAG 'weekly_full_db_bkup' DATABASE MAXSETSIZE 10M;

Oracle Database Backup and Recovery Reference for information about the format options

Backing Up a Database in ARCHIVELOG Mode

If a database runs in ARCHIVELOG mode, then you can back up the database while it is open.

A backup is called an inconsistent backup if it contains changes after its checkpoint. If you have the archived redo logs needed to recover the backup, open database backups are as effective for data protection as consistent backups.

To back up the database and archived redo logs while the database is open:

Start RMAN and connect to a target database as described in "Starting RMAN and Connecting to a Database".
Run the BACKUP DATABASE command.

For example, enter the following command at the RMAN prompt to back up the database and all archived redo log files to the default backup device:

RMAN> BACKUP DATABASE PLUS ARCHIVELOG;

Backing Up a Database in NOARCHIVELOG Mode

If a database runs in NOARCHIVELOG mode, then the only valid database backup is a consistent backup.

For the backup to be consistent, the database must be mounted after a consistent shutdown. Recovery is not specifically required after restoring the backup, but you would lose any transactions made after the backup. You can recover with archived logs from a consistent backup to minimize data loss.

To make a consistent database backup:

Start RMAN and connect to a target database as described in "Starting RMAN and Connecting to a Database".
Shut down the database consistently and then mount it.
For example, enter the following commands to guarantee that the database is in a consistent state for a backup:

RMAN> SHUTDOWN IMMEDIATE;
RMAN> STARTUP FORCE DBA;
RMAN> SHUTDOWN IMMEDIATE;
RMAN> STARTUP MOUNT;

Run the BACKUP DATABASE command.

For example, enter the following command at the RMAN prompt to back up the database to the default backup device:

RMAN> BACKUP DATABASE;

The following variation of the command creates image copy backups of all data files in the database:

CopyRMAN> BACKUP AS COPY DATABASE;
Open the database and resume normal operations.
The following command opens the database:

RMAN> ALTER DATABASE OPEN;

Making Incremental Backups: Quick Start

Incremental backups capture block-level changes to a database made after a previous incremental backup.

If you specify BACKUP INCREMENTAL, then RMAN creates an incremental backup of a database. Incremental backups are generally smaller and faster to make than full database backups. Recovery with incremental backups is faster than using redo logs alone.

The starting point for an incremental backup strategy is a level 0 incremental backup, which backs up all blocks in the database. An incremental backup at level 0 is identical in content to a full backup, however, unlike a full backup the level 0 backup is considered a part of the incremental backup strategy.

A level 1 incremental backup contains only blocks changed after a previous incremental backup. If no level 0 backup exists in either the current or parent database incarnation when you run a level 1 backup, then RMAN makes a level 0 backup automatically.

Note:You cannot make incremental backups when a NOARCHIVELOG database is open, although you can make incremental backups when the database is mounted after a consistent shutdown.

A level 1 backup can be a cumulative incremental backup, which includes all blocks changed since the most recent level 0 backup, or a differential incremental backup, which includes only blocks changed since the most recent incremental backup. Incremental backups are differential by default.

During a restore operation, RMAN will first restore a level 0 backup, then automatically apply incremental backups and redo logs as needed. This will re-apply the changes that were made to the database since the start of the backup.

To make incremental backups of the database:

Start RMAN and connect to a target database as described in "Starting RMAN and Connecting to a Database".
Run the BACKUP INCREMENTAL command.
The following example creates a level 0 incremental backup to serve as a base for an incremental backup strategy:

BACKUP INCREMENTAL LEVEL 0 DATABASE;

The following example creates a level 1 cumulative incremental backup:

BACKUP INCREMENTAL LEVEL 1 CUMULATIVE DATABASE;

The following example creates a level 1 differential incremental backup:

BACKUP INCREMENTAL LEVEL 1 DATABASE;

Making Incrementally Updated Backups

Incrementally updated backups enable you to implement an efficient incremental forever backup strategy.

The RMAN incrementally updated backup feature has the following main features:

The strategy requires a level 0 data file copy as a base. This copy has either a system-defined or user-defined tag.

Periodically, level 1 differential backups are created with the same tag as the level 0 data file copy. The BACKUP FOR RECOVER OF COPY command specifies that an incremental backup contains only blocks changed since the most recent incremental backup with the same tag.

Periodically, the incremental backups are applied to the level 0 data file copy. Because the data file copy has been updated with more recent changes, it now requires less media recovery.

FOR RECOVER OF COPY Options

BACKUP Option Description Example
FOR RECOVER OF COPY WITH TAG 'tag_name'

Use TAG to identify the tag of the data file copy serving as basis for the backup strategy. RMAN automatically assigns the same tag to every level 1 backup of this copy.

If no level 0 data file copy with the specified tag exists in either the current or parent database incarnation, then RMAN creates a level 0 data file copy with the specified tag.

BACKUP
INCREMENTAL LEVEL 1
FOR RECOVER OF COPY
WITH TAG 'incr_update'
DATABASE;
FOR RECOVER OF COPY DATAFILECOPY FORMAT 'format'

Specifies where RMAN creates the data file copy if a copy does not exist. If you add a new data file to the database, then you do not need to change your script, because RMAN automatically creates the level 0 copy required by the incremental backup routine.

BACKUP
INCREMENTAL LEVEL 1
FOR RECOVER OF COPY
DATAFILECOPY FORMAT
'/disk2/df1.cpy'
DATABASE;

To implement an incrementally updated backup strategy:

Start RMAN and connect to a target database as described in "Starting RMAN and Connecting to a Database".

Run the RECOVER COPY and BACKUP INCREMENTAL commands.

The following script, run on a regular basis, is all that is required to implement a strategy based on incrementally updated backups.

RECOVER COPY OF DATABASE
WITH TAG 'incr_update';
BACKUP
INCREMENTAL LEVEL 1
FOR RECOVER OF COPY WITH TAG 'incr_update'
DATABASE;

Validating Database Files and Backups: Quick Start

RMAN validation checks a backup to determine whether it can be restored. Validation also checks for corrupt blocks and missing files.

Use the VALIDATE command to confirm that all database files exist, are in their correct location, and are free of physical corruption. The CHECK LOGICAL option also checks for logical block corruption.

To validate database files:

Start RMAN and connect to a target database as described in "Starting RMAN and Connecting to a Database".
Run the BACKUP VALIDATE ... command for the desired files.

For example, enter the following commands to validate all database files and archived redo log files for physical and logical corruption:

BACKUP VALIDATE CHECK LOGICAL
DATABASE ARCHIVELOG ALL;
You can also use the VALIDATE command to check individual data blocks, as shown in the following example:

VALIDATE DATAFILE 4 BLOCK 10 TO 13;You can also validate backup sets, as shown in the following example:

VALIDATE BACKUPSET 3;You specify backup sets by primary key, which is shown in the output of the LIST BACKUP command.

Scripting RMAN Operations

RMAN supports the use of command files to manage recurring tasks such as weekly backups.

A command file is a client-side text file containing RMAN commands, exactly as you enter them at the RMAN prompt. You can use any file extension.

Stored scripts are an alternative to command files that allow scripts to be available to any RMAN client that can connect to the target database and its recovery catalog.

To create and run a command file:

Use a text editor to create a command file.
For example, create a command file with the following contents:

# my_command_file.txt

CONNECT TARGET /
BACKUP DATABASE PLUS ARCHIVELOG;
LIST BACKUP;
EXIT;
Start RMAN and then execute the contents of a command file by running the @ command at the RMAN prompt:

@/my_dir/my_command_file.txt # runs specified command file

You can also start RMAN with a command file to run, as shown here:

% rman @/my_dir/my_command_file.txt

Reporting on RMAN Operations: Quick Start

RMAN can use the information stored in the RMAN repository to generate reports on backup activities.

Use the RMAN LIST and REPORT commands for reporting on backup operations. Use the SHOW ALL command to display the current RMAN configuration. In addition, RMAN provides a comprehensive set of views for generating custom reports.

This section contains the following topics:

Listing Backups

Reporting on Database Files and Backups

Listing Backups: Quick Start

The LIST BACKUP and LIST COPY commands display information about backups and data file copies listed in the repository.

For backups, you can control the format of LIST output with the options in Table 2-3 and Table 2-4.

LIST Options for Backups

Option Example Explanation

BY BACKUP

LIST BACKUP OF DATABASE BY BACKUP

Organizes the output by backup set. This is the default mode of presentation.

BY FILE

LIST BACKUP BY FILE

Lists the backups according to which file was backed up.

SUMMARY

LIST BACKUP SUMMARY

Displays summary output.

For both backups and copies you have additional options shown in Table 2-4.

Additional LIST Options

Option Example Explanation
EXPIRED LIST EXPIRED COPY

Lists backups that are recorded in the RMAN repository but that were not present at the expected location on disk or tape during the last CROSSCHECK command. An expired backup may have been deleted by an operating system utility.

RECOVERABLE

LIST BACKUP RECOVERABLE

Lists data file backups or copies that have status AVAILABLE in the RMAN repository and that can be restored and recovered.

To list backups and copies:

Start RMAN and connect to a target database as described in "Starting RMAN and Connecting to a Database".

Run the LIST command at the RMAN prompt.

You can display specific objects, as in the following examples:

LIST BACKUP OF DATABASE;
LIST COPY OF DATAFILE 1, 2;
LIST BACKUP OF ARCHIVELOG FROM SEQUENCE 10;
LIST BACKUPSET OF DATAFILE 1;

Oracle Database Backup and Recovery Reference for LIST command syntax

Reporting on Database Files and Backups: Quick Start

The REPORT command performs more complex reporting analysis than the LIST command.

Option Example Explanation
NEED BACKUP REPORT NEED BACKUP DATABASE

Shows which files need backing up under current retention policy. Use optional REDUNDANCY and RECOVERY WINDOW parameters to specify different criteria.

OBSOLETE

REPORT OBSOLETE

Lists backups that are obsolete under the configured backup retention policy. Use the optional REDUNDANCY and RECOVERY WINDOW parameters to override the default.

SCHEMA

REPORT SCHEMA

Reports the tablespaces and data files in the database at the current time (default) or a different time.

UNRECOVERABLE

REPORT UNRECOVERABLE

Lists all data files for which an unrecoverable operation has been performed against an object in the data file since the last backup of the data file.

To generate reports of database files and backups:

Start RMAN and connect to a target database as described in "Starting RMAN and Connecting to a Database".

Run the REPORT command at the RMAN prompt.

The following example reports backups that are obsolete according to the currently configured backup retention policy:

REPORT OBSOLETE;
The following example reports the data files and temp files in the database:

REPORT SCHEMA;

Maintaining RMAN Backups

RMAN repository metadata is always stored in the control file of the target database. The RMAN maintenance commands use this metadata when managing backups.

This section contains the following topics:

Cross-checking Backups

Deleting Obsolete Backups

Cross-checking Backups: Quick Start

Use the CROSSCHECK command to synchronize the logical records of RMAN backups and copies with the files on storage media.

If a backup is on disk, then CROSSCHECK determines whether the header of the file is valid. If a backup is on tape, then RMAN queries the RMAN repository for the names and locations of the backup pieces. It is a good idea to crosscheck backups and copies before deleting them.

To crosscheck all backups and copies on disk:

Start RMAN and connect to a target database as described in "Starting RMAN and Connecting to a Database".
Run the CROSSCHECK command, as shown in the following example:

CROSSCHECK BACKUP;
CROSSCHECK COPY;

Deleting Obsolete Backups: Quick Start

The DELETE command removes RMAN backups and copies from disk and tape, updates the status of the files to DELETED in the control file repository, and removes the records from the recovery catalog (if you use a catalog).

If you run RMAN interactively, and if you do not specify the NOPROMPT option, then DELETE displays a list of files and prompts for confirmation before deleting any file in the list. The DELETE OBSOLETE command is particular useful because RMAN deletes backups and data file copies recorded in the RMAN repository that are obsolete, that is, no longer needed. You can use options on the DELETE command to specify what is obsolete or use the configured backup retention policy.

To delete obsolete backups and copies:

Start RMAN and connect to a target database as described in "Starting RMAN and Connecting to a Database".
Run the DELETE OBSOLETE command, as shown in the following example:

DELETE OBSOLETE;

Diagnosing and Repairing Failures with Data Recovery Advisor: Quick Start
Data Recovery Advisor is an Oracle Database tool that provides an infrastructure for diagnosing persistent data failures, presenting repair options to the user, and executes repairs at the user’s request.

This section contains the following topics:

Listing Failures and Determining Repair Options

Repairing Failures

Listing Failures and Determining Repair Options
A failure is a persistent data corruption detected by the Health Monitor. Examples include physical and logical data block corruptions and missing data files.

Each failure has a failure priority and failure status. The priority can be CRITICAL, HIGH, or LOW. The status can be OPEN or CLOSED.

You can run the LIST FAILURE command to show all known failures. If failures exist, then run the ADVISE FAILURE command in the same session to determine repair options. The ADVISE FAILURE output shows both manual and automated repair options. First try to fix the problem manually. If you cannot fix the problem manually, then review the automated repair section.

An automated repair option describes a server-managed repair for one or more failures. Repairs are consolidated when possible so that a single repair can fix multiple failures. The repair option indicates which repair is performed and whether data is lost by performing the repair operation.

Listing Failures and Determining Repair Options illustrates the commands to list failures and determine repair options. The output indicates the file name of a repair script containing RMAN commands. If you do not want to use Data Recovery Advisor to repair the failure automatically, then you can use the script as the basis of your own recovery strategy.

LIST FAILURE and ADVISE FAILURE

RMAN> LIST FAILURE;

Database Role: PRIMARY
List of Database Failures
=========================

Failure ID Priority Status Time Detected Summary
---------- -------- --------- ------------- -------
142 HIGH OPEN 23-APR-13 One or more non-system datafiles are missing
101 HIGH OPEN 23-APR-13 Datafile 1: '/disk1/oradata/prod/system01.dbf'
contains one or more corrupt blocks

RMAN> ADVISE FAILURE;

Database Role: PRIMARY
List of Database Failures
=========================

Failure ID Priority Status Time Detected Summary
---------- -------- --------- ------------- -------
142 HIGH OPEN 23-APR-13 One or more non-system datafiles are missing
101 HIGH OPEN 23-APR-13 Datafile 1: '/disk1/oradata/prod/system01.dbf'
contains one or more corrupt blocks

analyzing automatic repair options; this may take some time
using channel ORA_DISK_1
analyzing automatic repair options complete

Mandatory Manual Actions
========================
no manual actions available

Optional Manual Actions
=======================
1. If file /disk1/oradata/prod/users01.dbf was unintentionally renamed or moved, restore it

Automated Repair Options
========================
Option Repair Description
------ ------------------
1 Restore and recover datafile 28; Perform block media recovery of
block 56416 in file 1
Strategy: The repair includes complete media recovery with no data loss
Repair script: /disk1/oracle/log/diag/rdbms/prod/prod/hm/reco_660500184.hm

RMAN Environment

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