Introducing Arcserve Backup Agents and Options › Using Agents › Agent for Oracle (Linux) › Backing Up Data › Agent Backups › Back Up Oracle Database Online › Perform a Backup in Online Mode

Perform a Backup in Online Mode

To back up an Oracle database online using the agent

Note: Before opening the Backup Manager, ensure that Oracle Server is running and that all of the tablespaces in the databases you want to back up are online. Also, be sure to start Arcserve Backup and the agent.

1. Open the Backup Manager, select the Source tab, and expand the Agent Technology Agent.
2. Under the Agent Technology Agent, click the green square to the left of the host on which Oracle is installed.

   The Login dialog opens.

   Note: If you click the plus sign next to the host, it will expand automatically after you log in successfully.

3. Enter the host user name and password, and then click OK.

   Note: Expand the host if it did not expand automatically.

4. Select an Oracle database by clicking the green square to its left.

   The Database Login dialog opens.

5. Enter the Oracle dba user name and password.

   Note: Be sure that the Oracle user name and password you use to connect to Oracle has the permission to connect to Oracle using the as sysdba clause. You must be able to connect with and without this clause.

6. When backing up a database, a single job called the master job is created in the queue. When the backup begins, the master job calls RMAN, which launches the child jobs.

   The sub-jobs appear in the job queue.

7. If you want to set options for your backup job, select the Source tab and then click the Oracle Option tab:

   Complete the following fields:

   • Enter the database name, if different from the instance name, in the Database Name field.
   • Ensure that the Use an RMAN Catalog (Recommended) check box is selected.

     Note: We recommend that you use the RMAN catalog, otherwise RMAN will rely only on the control files to manage backups. Using only control files presents a risk in that if the database and all control files are somehow lost, it will prevent RMAN from being able to restore the database. By using the RMAN catalog option, you prevent the possibility of losing the control files backup-related information as well as other valuable information. Also note that by using the RMAN catalog, you will be able to perform a point-in-time recovery if desired.

     If you choose not to select this option, a warning message displays reminding you of the importance of using the RMAN catalog.

   • Enter the catalog owner name and owner password.
   • Select the online mode.
   • Choose one the following Backup Methods:
     • Full Backup--This method typically minimizes the number of tapes you will need when restoring the database, but takes more time during the backup.
     • Incremental Backup--This method reduces the backup time, but restoring typically requires more time and tapes to be loaded (that is, the last full backup plus all the incremental ones).

     Note: Available options pertain to the specific database only. Each database has its own set of options.

8. (Optional) Select the Advanced Oracle Options tab and complete any of these fields if you want to modify the performance of your backup.
9. Click the Destination tab, and select the backup destination.

   Important! Do not select a specific media or media device group on the Destination tab if you set the Number of Channels option to a number higher than 1.

10. Click the Method/Schedule tab, and choose one of these Schedule Types:
    • Custom
    • Rotation
    • GFS Rotation
11. Click Submit on the toolbar.

    The Submit Job dialog opens.

12. Schedule the job to run now or at another time.

    Click OK.

    The Job Submission dialog opens.

13. Click OK.

The job is submitted. You can monitor the job on the Job Status Manager.

Refer to the Backup Limitations section of this chapter for information about restrictions related to monitoring your backups.

Note: For more information about customizing backup jobs, see the Administration Guide.