Chapter 2. Using Recovery Manager
ORACLE DATABASE 10G: ADMINISTRATION II EXAM OBJECTIVES COVERED IN THIS CHAPTER:
Using Recovery Manager
Use the RMAN BACKUP command to create backup sets and image copies.
Enable block change tracking.
Manage the backups and image copies taken with RMAN with the LIST and REPORT commands.
NOTE
Exam objectives are subject to change at any time without prior notice and at Oracle's sole discretion. Please visit Oracle's Training and Certification website (http://www.oracle.com/education/certification/) for the most current exam objectives listing.
This chapter provides a hands-on understanding of using Recovery Manager (RMAN), focusing on RMAN backups. Understanding RMAN backups is one of the most important activities for a DBA using the RMAN utility. Emphasis is placed on the two distinct methods: image copies and backup sets. With the introduction of Oracle Database 10g (Oracle 10g) the RMAN utility has been advanced to support improvements such as block change tracking and the compression of backups. Having a good understanding of RMAN is critical for every DBA. Since the advent of RMAN, Oracle has steadily shifted the backup emphasis toward the use of RMAN opposed to the traditional method of backing up databases. As databases get larger and have greater availability requirements, this emphasis will surely continue. A good understanding of RMAN is a cornerstone for performing Oracle database backups.
This chapter walks through the image copy and backup set backup methods. You will perform examples using the new Oracle 10g capabilities of compressing backups and implementing block change tracking. You will also see examples of incremental and whole database backups and walk through examples of showing backup status using the RMAN LIST and REPORT commands and dynamic views.