Backup Files

Article Summary

Keeping Your Data Safe ๐Ÿง  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 scenariosโ€”from restoring a single table to recovering the entire database. ๐Ÿ’พ Types of Backups Backup Type Description Logical Backups ๐Ÿ“„ Contain structured data […]

Keeping Your Data Safe

๐Ÿง  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 scenariosโ€”from restoring a single table to recovering the entire database.

๐Ÿ’พ Types of Backups

Backup TypeDescription
Logical Backups ๐Ÿ“„Contain structured data like tables and procedures. Created using tools like Data Pump Export. Useful for migrating or supplementing full backups.
Physical Backups ๐Ÿ› ๏ธBinary-level copies of physical files (data files, control files, redo logs). Made using RMAN or OS utilities. Critical for full recovery.

๐Ÿ”ง RMAN Backup Formats on Disk

FormatDescription
Image Copy ๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธ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 ๐Ÿ“ฆRMANโ€™s proprietary format. Groups multiple files into backup pieces. Supports compression, encryption, and writes to tape/cloud. Saves space by skipping unused blocks.

โ˜๏ธ Additional RMAN Integrations

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Works with Media Management Library (MML) or System Backup to Tape (SBT) for tape archiving.
  • โ˜๏ธ Supports Oracle Database Backup Cloud Service for offsite storage.
  • ๐Ÿšซ๐Ÿงฏ Integrated with Zero Data Loss Recovery Appliance (Recovery Appliance) for high-resilience backup and recovery.

๐Ÿ’ก 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.

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