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Tom Kyte

Thanks for the question, Robert.

Asked: October 28, 2008 - 5:19 pm UTC

Last updated: October 29, 2008 - 4:14 pm UTC

Version: 10.2.0

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You Asked

Tom,

What are pros/cons of using an RMAN Catalog vs. Controlfile Repository (for 10-30+ databases)?

Can you run reports on RMAN Catalog to show success/failure of all backups?

If you have RMAN backup sets for a given database, but you lose your RMAN repository, isn't it true that you can recovery your database (e.g. very manually?).

Thanks,

Robert.

and Tom said...

The recovery catalog will provide you with a consolidate repository of all of your backups. Instead of having to go to 30+ databases to figure out what their backup state is, you have one place.

The control files would still be maintained, in fact you can use the control files to re-sync a catalog from if the catalog isn't available for some reason.


If you have one or two databases - ok, the repository might not be needed. If I had 30+, I'd want that single source to be able to query to see "what's up"



... isn't it true that you can recovery your database (e.g. very manually?). ...

yes, it isn't horribly manual, the information is in the control files and the control files are backed up..

http://docs.oracle.com/cd/B19306_01/backup.102/b14191/rcmarchi.htm#sthref51

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Valuable information

Robert, October 29, 2008 - 2:12 pm UTC

Tom,

2 more things, please....

(1) What are the main drawbacks of using a Catalog repository

Also..what about my other question...

(2) Can you run reports on RMAN Catalog to show success/failure of all backups?

(To me this would be extremely valuable for confirming successful backups (e.g. daily)).

Thanks,

Robert.



Tom Kyte
October 29, 2008 - 4:14 pm UTC

1) it is YAD.

Yet Another Database.

it would be something else to manage.

2) sure, the repository has a documented catalog, you can read about it:

http://docs.oracle.com/docs/cd/B19306_01/backup.102/b14194/rcviews.htm#i76440

RC_RMAN_BACKUP_JOB_DETAILS.STATUS ?

Robert, October 31, 2008 - 11:36 am UTC

Tom,

It looks like RC_RMAN_BACKUP_JOB_DETAILS.STATUS will tell me if a particular backup succeeded or failed.... Is this correct?

Is this the table.column you would use for this purpose?

Is there a similar table.column in the CONTROLFILE... if we are not using a Catalog?

Thanks,

Robert.

A reader, May 17, 2011 - 7:06 am UTC

Hi Tom,

I agree with you in saying that all the information is in one place - centralized, but it's very hard to read it.

I am trying to figure it out how to find which backup files are needed for a clone that should use a production backup from 2 month ago. I have the retention policy set to 1 year and I have all the information inside rc_ views, but there is no linking columns between the views.
I created a script which orders the backup files from rc_backup_files by completion_time where completion_time is lower than sysdate-60. From the results I take the first 4 types of backupsets: bs_type and I take the stamp ids.
This is "working" but it's not very "accurate".
I know what is the backup order (i take backup of archivelogs from previous backup until the backup time, take backup of db files, take backup of current archived logs, and backup of control file).
What happens if i need to change the backup script and I won't have the same order?

How can I query the catalog views to find out which backup is needed? (i am trying to create an automated script for the cloning - I know that using restore preview can give me the information needed, but the output is not "scripting readable"). Plus, since I do have the views (rc_) i shouldn't need to connect from rman for each db. I should only set the current db inside the catalog db and query the rc views, right? But how?

Thanks
Daniel

Controlfile inforamation from rman catalog

Shivdeep Modi, February 28, 2012 - 8:03 am UTC

Hello,

How do I find the controlfile inforamtion from a rman catalog. I want to find the backups server configured for all databases registered in my catalog

CONFIGURE CHANNEL DEVICE TYPE 'SBT_TAPE' MAXPIECESIZE 16 G FORMAT "XYZ_%d_%T_%s_%p_%t.bus" PARMS "ENV=(NSR_SERVER=backup.timepass.net"

Regards,
Shivdeep
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