RMAN - Recovery Manager

RMAN is used to handle backup and recovery operations for Oracle Database. RMAN can be instructed to make backups, perform restores, and complete recoveries in a flexible, efficient and intelligent manner. It has been part of the Oracle standard tool kit since Oracle 8.0.

The smallest structure in a database is a data block. Datafiles, redo log files and control files are made of data of blocks. RMAN is data block centric in its activity, it reads data blocks and copies them to a backup location. During recovery RMAN reads the database block copies from the backup location. Although RMAN can make datafile copies it is its ability to work with blocks that make’s it so useful.

RMAN will take care of much of the work for you in protecting the database(s). What used to be involved and exacting can now be achieved with a few RMAN commands. RMAN can be invoked as a command line utility or in a GUI mode via the enterprise manager. RMAN automates many of the backup and recovery tasks that were formally performed manually.

DBA’s have a lot of work to do however the Number one question a DBA should ask himself or herself is: Can I recover the database in the event of a failure be it hardware, software or human error?

For a free assessment of how Rman can help your organisation please contact us