Backup Files
Keeping Your Data Safe
🧠 Why It Matters:
Backups are essential for protecting your data from loss, corruption, or human error. Oracle provides both logical and physical backup options to suit different recovery scenarios—from restoring a single table to recovering the entire database.
💾 Types of Backups
| Backup Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Logical Backups 📄 | Contain structured data like tables and procedures. Created using tools like Data Pump Export. Useful for migrating or supplementing full backups. |
| Physical Backups 🛠️ | Binary-level copies of physical files (data files, control files, redo logs). Made using RMAN or OS utilities. Critical for full recovery. |
🔧 RMAN Backup Formats on Disk
| Format | Description |
|---|---|
| Image Copy 🖼️ | Exact bit-for-bit copy of a file (data/control/redo). Can be incrementally updated and recovered in place. Created via RMAN or OS commands. |
| Backup Set 📦 | RMAN’s proprietary format. Groups multiple files into backup pieces. Supports compression, encryption, and writes to tape/cloud. Saves space by skipping unused blocks. |
☁️ Additional RMAN Integrations
- 🔄 Works with Media Management Library (MML) or System Backup to Tape (SBT) for tape archiving.
- ☁️ Supports Oracle Database Backup Cloud Service for offsite storage.
- 🚫🧯 Integrated with Zero Data Loss Recovery Appliance (Recovery Appliance) for high-resilience backup and recovery.
💡 DBA Tip of the Day
Use backup sets for space efficiency and encryption. Combine them with cloud or tape storage to strengthen your disaster recovery plan.