Oracle Database Backup

Backing Up
Oracle
Databases
with Handy
Backup
March 2014

2
Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................3
Main features of Handy Backup Oracle plug-in ...............................................................3
Assignment ....................................................................................................................... 3
Advantages....................................................................................................................... 3
Backing up of remote Oracle databases ........................................................................... 3
Data that could be included in a backup ........................................................................... 3
Supported versions of Oracle............................................................................................ 4
Access rights..................................................................................................................... 4
Compression of backups................................................................................................... 4
Backup and Restore ........................................................................................................4
Preparation of database for backup .................................................................................. 4
Creating a Backup Task.................................................................................................... 5
Performing a Backup Task................................................................................................ 9
Restore ............................................................................................................................. 9
Technical details............................................................................................................10
Name format of your files.................................................................................................10
Search of Oracle databases.............................................................................................11
Appendix. Adding Users to the ORA_DBA Group .........................................................11
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................12
About Handy Backup.....................................................................................................12
About Novosoft..............................................................................................................12
Contacts ........................................................................................................................12

3
Introduction
One of the most popular features of Handy Backup software (business editions) is the
backing up of Oracle databases. “Hot” backup technology enables to backup database even if
it is in active use. Backups of the Oracle database can be created using any version of Handy
Backup if it contains the Oracle plug-in1
. The plug-in helps to make the process of backing up
and restoring fully automated and fast. The software provides an opportunity to create and
restore backups on a schedule. Moreover, Handy Backup is able to run as a Windows service
and doesn’t affect system performance.
This guide provides detailed instructions for creating and restoring backups of Oracle. It will
effectively protect the data stored in your database.
Main features of Handy Backup Oracle plug-in
Assignment
 “Hot” Oracle database backup;
 "Cold" backup in case of inability to perform "hot" backup;
 Restoring database from a backup.
Advantages
1. The ability to back up without interrupting a database (a "hot" backup).
2. The use of the reliable RMAN utility for backups ensures the integrity of stored data.
Backing up of remote Oracle databases
To back up an Oracle database on a remote computer you should install the client Handy
Backup (Backup Network Workstation). Detailed instructions for use of Handy Backup for
backup of remote Oracle databases is beyond the scope of this manual. If you want to get that
instructions you can send request on sales@handybackup.net.
Data that could be included in a backup
 All database tables;
 Archive logs before and after backup;
 Spfile;
1
Oracle plug-in is included in Small Server and Network Server editions and could be added to Home Standard and
Home Professional versions as a complementary feature.

4
 controlfile;
 Settings and preferences: tnsnames.ora, listener.ora, sqlnet.ora on the way
%ORACLE_HOME%networkadmin;
 File of passwords %ORACLE_HOME%databasepwd<SID>.ora.
Supported versions of Oracle
The plug-in was developed for version Oracle 10g. To back up older versions of Oracle you
are recommended to use alternative methods of backup. Please feel free to write on
support@handybackup.net for advice on selection and use of alternatives.
Handy Backup officially supports Oracle 10g version on any platform of Windows NT
family.
Access rights
The user account under which the program runs must have membership of the
ORA_DBA group. Instruction for adding users for ORA_DBA group are on the appendix for
this manual.
Compression of backups
The RMAN (Recovery Manager) utility was introduced in Oracle since version 8 and is
used for backing up and recovery procedures. All data is stored by means of RMAN by default,
it allows to reduce significantly the size of backups.
Backup and Restore
Preparation of database for backup
To use the opportunity of "hot" backup your database should run in ARCHIVELOG mode. If
the database operates in NOARCHIVELOG, then its work will be stopped during backup and
then restored at the end of the backup. To find out the current mode of the database fulfill the
following query:
SQL> select log_mode from sys.v$database
For successful connection of Handy Backup plug-in for the database the following
requirement should be met: Novosoft Network Workstation service should run as the user of
the group of ORA_DBA.

5
Creating a Backup Task
Choose Oracle plug-in from the menu:
Select required databases:

6
In the drop-down list you can see Oracle databases installed on the local machine (displays
their name ORACLE_HOME) and the bases it serves (displayed SID database). Select the
database that you want to copy.
Following steps:

7
Oracle backup is carried out with data compression by default so there is no need for
additional compression by Handy Backup.

9
Performing a Backup Task
Select Backup from the context menu of tasks.
Wait until the end of the task.
Please note that you can create a task list and make backups automatically (for more
information on this feature please read the manual for Handy Backup or write on
support@handybackup.net).
Restore
If you want to restore Oracle database to the same location where it took place just select
Restore from the context menu of tasks.
If the database was lost completely, follow these steps:
1. Create a new database with the same BASE_NAME and SID as before. For
instance, this can be done with the help of Database Configuration Assistant. Make
sure that the path to the folder where the files are stored is the same as before.
2. Stop the database instance and delete all data files and the controlfile of the
newly created database.
3. Re-run the database instance.

10
4. Perform common restoration of the backup.
5. Wait until the end of the process.
If the automatic recovery fails for some reason, it is recommended to try to restore the
database manually using files of Handy Backup. In this situation, please apply for professional
help writing on support@handybackup.net.
Note:
Sometimes during the restore the database transaction logs are used and after recovery
the database remains in the same state as before.
In order to prevent this, you should:
1) Remove only the transaction logs (in the folder Flash Recovery Area).
2) If paragraph 1 does not help, remove the logs and data file USER.dbf.
Before deleting the files you need to stop the Oracle instance service and to restart it before
restoring.
Technical details
Name format of your files
%d-%I-%T-%U.bcp – data files,
%h-%e-%d-%I-%T-%U.archlog – archived log files,
%d-%I-%T-%U.spfile – SPFILE
%d-%I-%T-%U.controlfile - controlfile
%d - base name,
%I - DBID,
%T - date in YYYYMMDD format,
%U - unique string,
%e - Specifies the archived log sequence number,
%h - Specifies the archived redo log thread number.
Following files are also included:
tnsnames.ora,
listener.ora,
sqlnet.ora,
pwd<SID>.ora

11
Search of Oracle databases
All information about Oracle Homes is taken from the registry keys like:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREORACLEKEY_<ORACLE_HOME_NAME>
Information about instance identifiers (SID in Oracle terms) is taken from the keys like:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesOracleService<SID>,
where <SID>is an instance identifier.
Thus hierarchy tree is formed: oracle_homeoracle_sid
Appendix. Adding Users to the ORA_DBA Group
To add a user to the ORA_DBA group, follow these steps:
1. Make sure that you have Oracle installed on your PC.
2. On the Windows Start menu, right click Computer and then click Manage.
The Computer Management dialog opens.
3. In the left pane, expand System Tools, then expand Local Users and
Groups, and then click Users.
4. In the right pane, right-click the desired user account, and then
click Properties. The User Properties dialog opens.
5. Under the Member Of tab, click Add.
6. In the bottom pane select ORA_DBA and then click OK.

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Conclusion
Oracle backup tool of Handy Backup is a convenient solution for backing up and restoring
data of Oracle databases. Opportunity to use the program without stopping the database
allows applying this method of backup for data protection in the various IT-infrastructures.
About Handy Backup
Handy Backup is a product line for backup created by Novosoft. The software allows
backing up, restoring and synchronizing of different types of data. Wide functionality have
allowed Handy Backup to gain popularity on the global market of IT products as a convenient
solution for home usage and corporate environment.
About Novosoft
The company was founded in 1992 and provides a wide range of services for various
industries in the field of IT. Solutions developed by the company's specialists are based on the
advanced technologies that allow the Novosoft's products to maintain leading positions on the
domestic and international markets.
Contacts
Call us:
+1 (707) 703-13-11
+7 (383) 330-34-69
E-mail: sales@handybackup.ru
Address: Prospect Koptyuga, 4 Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
Official website: www.handybackup.net
facebook.com/NovosoftHandyBackup
linkedin.com/company/novosoft
twitter.com/Handy_Backup

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