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Review the Prerequisites for Oracle Database

To back up an Oracle database with consistent data, ensure that the ARCHIVELOG mode is enabled to archive the Redo logs.

Follow these steps to verify if the ARCHIVELOG mode is enabled:

  1. Log in to the Oracle server as an Oracle user with SYSDBA privileges.
  2. Enter the following command at the SQL*Plus prompt:
    ARCHIVE LOG LIST;
    

    Archive log settings for the current instance is displayed.

  3. Configure the following settings:

    Database log mode: Archive Mode

    Automatic archival: Enabled

  4. Start the ARCHIVELOG mode.

    Note: If the ARCHIVELOG mode is not enabled, you must start the ARCHIVELOG mode to backup the database.

Follow these steps to start the ARCHIVELOG mode:

  1. Shut down the Oracle server.
  2. Run the following statements in Oracle:
    CONNECT SYS/SYS_PASSWORD AS SYSDBA
    
    STARTUP MOUNT;
    
    ALTER DATABASE ARCHIVELOG;
    
    ALTER DATABASE OPEN;
    

    By default, archive logs is written to the flash recovery area. If you do not want to write archive logs to the flash recovery area, you can set the LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST_n parameter to the location where you want to write archive logs.

    SQL>ALTRE SYSTEM SET LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST_1='LOCATION=e:\app\administrator\oradata\<oracle_database_name>\arch' SCOPE= BOTH;
    
    System altered.
    
    SQL> ARCHIVE LOG LIST;
    

    Archive log settings for the current instance is displayed.

  3. Configure the following settings:

    Database log mode: Archive Mode

    Automatic archival: Enabled

    Archive destination: E:\app\oracle\oradata\<oracle_database_name>\arch

    Oldest online log sequence: 21

    Current log sequence: 23

If you want to perform a BMR for a disaster recovery, ensure that you have selected the system volumes and the volumes which includes all the oracle installation files.