Backup Sets, Backup Pieces and Incremental Backups
Backup Sets, Backup Pieces and Incremental Backups
Backup Sets, Backup Pieces and Incremental Backups
RMAN is the Oracle supplied DBMS backup utility and like any other integrated utility, it 'understands'
how the database fits together and so is a much safer way to backup a database than to simply shut it
down then backup the underlying flatfiles. As well as permitting database backups while the database is
active, RMAN does a lot of data validation to ensure that a backup is complete and can be used to restore
a good copy of a database. Most RMAN facilities are managed by DBAs but RMAN usually interfaces
with Storage products like Spectrum Protect (TSM) or NBU for backend storage, so it is necessary to
have an understanding of how RMAN works in case you get problems with that interface.
As well as database files, a database depends on other types of files, such as network configuration files,
password files, and the contents of the Oracle home. These files are not backed up with RMAN and so
must be backed up with your standard backup and recovery tool.
RMAN calls the users databases 'Target Databases' or in other words, the target database is the
database that RMAN is backing up, restoring, or recovering. Data about backups is usually held in a
Recovery Catalog, which is just another database and it can contain backup information about multiple
target databases. This information will include stuff like Backup sets, Image copies, archived redo logs,
target database schemas and configuration settings.
Oracle uses the terminology consistent backups and inconsistent backups for databases. A consistent
backup occurs when the database is shut down and so is in a consistent state.
A backup made when the database is open is inconsistent. Oracle backs up both the database and the
relevant parts of the redo logs, so when a database is restored from an inconsistent backup, Oracle will
apply any pending changes from the redo logs. The term 'inconsistent' is a little bit misleading, as
inconsistent backups are sound, acceptable and frequently used. The beauty of inconsistent backups is
that you do not have to shut the database down to run them, which is invaluable in today's 24*7 world.
The only issue is that RMAN will fail the backup if the database is in NOARCHIVELOG mode, a quite
common type of failure that needs a DBA to fix.
In this case, RMAN is using Spectrum Protect (TSM) as the media manager. Note that the channel type is
sbt_tape, but Spectrum Protect (TSM) can direct the backup to a disk storage pool. RMAN is looking for
Spectrum Protect (TSM) information in a tdpo_opt file. Typical information in that file will include:
These three lines tell RMAN where to find the Spectrum Protect (TSM) code, the location of the Spectrum
Protect (TSM) options file used for an oracle backup, and the name of the Spectrum Protect (TSM) client
node for the oracle backup. Obviously, all of these file paths may be different in your installation.
Another essential piece of information is the link to the Spectrum Protect (TSM) library drives. Oracle
expects to find this information in $ORACLE_HOME/lib/libobk.a and Spectrum Protect (TSM) usually
holds it in /usr/Tivoli/Spectrum Protect (TSM)/client/oracle/libobk64.a so you need a symbolic link from the
Oracle library to the Spectrum Protect (TSM) library. A missing link is the most common cause of errors
like
and when the backup is older than 21 days, RMAN will signal Spectrum Protect (TSM) to delete the
backup. If you have configured Spectrum Protect (TSM) correctly and old backups are still not being
deleted, then check that your RMAN backup script contains commands like these to actually clean up old
backups.
.
run {
crosscheck backupset;
report obsolete;
delete obsolete;
}
We often get requests for special oracle database backup retentions, but these are also controlled by
RMAN. Special backups can be retain for longer than the default cycle using the RMAN command
'CHANGE BACKUPSET TAG ... KEEP UNTIL ...' , usually controlled and issued by your DBA.
Oracle Storage
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Lascon updTES
I retired 2 years ago, and so I'm out of touch with the latest in the data storage world. The Lascon site has
not been updated since July 2021, and probably will not get updated very much again. The site hosting is
paid up until early 2023 when it will almost certainly disappear.
Lascon Storage was conceived in 2000, and technology has changed massively over those 22 years. It's
been fun, but I guess it's time to call it a day. Thanks to all my readers in that time. I hope you managed
to find something useful in there.
All the best
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