Oracle Backups

You can back up Oracle databases, the control file, log files, the server parameter file, or Oracle datafiles and tablespaces. You can back up the database when it is online or offline. If the database must be accessible and you have a small backup window, run a series of online backups for different database portions.

Full Backups

Oracle full backups include the entire database and the control file. A full backup is the most comprehensive backup and is the baseline for incremental backups. Full backups of online databases include the log files. An offline full backup is a cold backup for Oracle databases.

If you have configured RMAN backup optimization for an Oracle instance, then the Commvault software permanently turns off optimization the first time that you perform a full backup or selective online full backup from the CommCell Console. This behavior ensures that the backups contain all the Oracle data files and that you can successfully restore the backups.

Incremental Backups

An Oracle incremental backup contains the changed data from the last full backup. Incremental backups use less media and resources than full backups.

In a cumulative level n backup, only the data that differs from the most recent backup at level n-1 or lower, is backed up.

Selective Online Full Backups

A selective online full backup is a backup taken when the database is online. The backed up data is copied to a selective copy, which you can use for a restore. This backup is useful in disaster recovery scenarios because the data and logs are stored together.

What is Backed Up

Oracle database files that include the datafiles and control files
Archived redo logs
Parameter files (SP File)
Oracle Managed Files

What Is Not Backed Up

Oracle application files that are associated with the Oracle installation.

Tip: Use the File System Agent to back up the application files.

External files (for example, Oracle Wallet) and external tables

Note

You can configure the software to exclude the database application files from the UNIX file system backup. For more information, see Excluding Database Application Files from a UNIX File System Backup.

Performing Backups

You can perform backups immediately or schedule them through the CommCell Console. The Commvault software creates and runs RMAN scripts, by using the configured options.

You can save your backup options as an RMAN backup script. If the Commvault interface does not support the RMAN commands, or options, you can modify the script. The Oracle Agent runs the backup script by using the SBT module in Commvault to back up the files to the media manager.