IN YOUR SQL*PLUS SESSION, RERUN THE QUERY FROM STEP 1 AND NOTE THE DIFFERENCE IN USAGE

11. In your SQL*Plus session, rerun the query from Step 1 and note the difference

in usage.

Two-Minute Drill

Create Consistent Database Backups

• If the database is in noarchivelog mode, then whole consistent backups (full

or incremental) are the only type of backup possible.

• An RMAN-consistent backup is taken with the database in mount mode,

following a clean shutdown.

Back Up Your Database Without Shutting It Down

• An open backup of the database must also include a backup of the archivelog

files, either included in the same backup set or in a separate backup set.

• Open backups, for which the database must be in archivelog mode, can be

whole or partial, full or incremental.

Create Incremental Backups

• A level 1 incremental or cumulative backup cannot be based on a full backup,

only a level 0 incremental backup.

• Unless block change tracking is enabled, an incremental backup must scan the

entire database.

• An RMAN backup set, whether full or incremental, never includes unused

blocks.

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Automate Database Backups

• Oracle Enterprise Manager (Database Control or Grid Control) can schedule

the running of backup jobs.

Manage Backups, View Backup Reports, and

Monitor the Flash Recovery Area

• The LIST command shows what backups have been made, and the REPORT

command shows what backups are needed or are redundant.

• The flash recovery area is the default destination for RMAN disk backups.

• RMAN can automatically delete files considered to be obsolete from the flash

recovery area.

Define, Apply, and Use a Retention Policy

• The backup retention policy may be based on redundancy (keeping a certain

number of copies) or recovery window (guaranteeing the possibility of point-

in-time recovery).

• Backups considered obsolete according to the retention policy can be

automatically deleted.

Create Image File Backups

• An image copy is identical to the source file.

• Image copies can be directed only to disk.

• Image copies can be made of datafiles, the controlfile, and archivelog files.

Create a Whole Database Backup

• A whole RMAN backup is the full set of datafiles, the spfile, and the controlfile.

• RMAN does not back up online logs, tempfiles, or the password file.

Enable Fast Incremental Backup

• Changed blocks are tracked by the change tracking writer process, the CTWR.

• The change tracking file is automatically managed; the DBA can choose only

its name and location.

Create Duplex Backups and Back Up Backup Sets

• The COPIES keyword instructs RMAN to create multiple copies of backup sets

or images.

• Backup sets can be backed up into more backup sets with BACKUP BACKUPSET.

• The BACKUP RECOVERY AREA and BACKUP RECOVERY FILES commands

can only write to a tape destination.

Create an Archival Backup for Long-Term Retention

• The KEEP keyword creates a backup to which the retention policy will not be

applied.

• If the archival backup is an open backup, all necessary archive logs will be

automatically included.

Create a Multisection, Compressed,

and Encrypted Backup

P AR T III

• The SECTION keyword lets multiple channels back up one file concurrently.

• Backup sets can be compressed (unlike image copies), by default with the

BZIP2 algorithm.

• Encryption can be enabled using either a wallet or a password.

Report on and Maintain Backups

• RMAN will automatically delete backups from the flash recovery area

considered to be obsolete, if the flash recovery area is full.

• The DELETE OBSOLETE command will delete all backups considered

obsolete, whether in the flash recovery area or not.

Configure Backup Settings

• RMAN’s default behavior is modified with the CONFIGURE command.

• Configured defaults are stored in the target database’s controlfile, as part of

the RMAN repository.

Allocate Channels to Use in Backing Up

• Channels are of type disk or SBT (or SBT_TAPE). SBT channels are only

available if a suitable device driver has been installed.

• Parallelize backups by launching multiple channels, using ALLOCATE

CHANNEL commands within a run block or by configuring a default.

Configure Backup Optimization

• Optimization only applies to identical files: archivelogs, or datafiles that are

either offline or read-only.

• Optimization is not enabled by default, and if enabled is reliant upon the

retention policy currently in effect.

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Self Test