NetBackup™ for Oracle

Administrator's Guide

UNIX, Windows, and Linux

Release 10.0
NetBackup™ for Oracle Administrator's Guide
Last updated: 2022-03-08

Legal Notice
Copyright © 2022 Veritas Technologies LLC. All rights reserved.

Veritas, the Veritas Logo, and NetBackup are trademarks or registered trademarks of Veritas
Technologies LLC or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. Other names may be
trademarks of their respective owners.

This product may contain third-party software for which Veritas is required to provide attribution
to the third party (“Third-party Programs”). Some of the Third-party Programs are available
under open source or free software licenses. The License Agreement accompanying the
Software does not alter any rights or obligations you may have under those open source or
free software licenses. Refer to the Third-party Legal Notices document accompanying this
Veritas product or available at:

https://www.veritas.com/about/legal/license-agreements

The product described in this document is distributed under licenses restricting its use, copying,
distribution, and decompilation/reverse engineering. No part of this document may be
reproduced in any form by any means without prior written authorization of Veritas Technologies
LLC and its licensors, if any.

THE DOCUMENTATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED

CONDITIONS, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED
WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR
NON-INFRINGEMENT, ARE DISCLAIMED, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH
DISCLAIMERS ARE HELD TO BE LEGALLY INVALID. Veritas Technologies LLC SHALL
NOT BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IN CONNECTION
WITH THE FURNISHING, PERFORMANCE, OR USE OF THIS DOCUMENTATION. THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENTATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
WITHOUT NOTICE.

The Licensed Software and Documentation are deemed to be commercial computer software
as defined in FAR 12.212 and subject to restricted rights as defined in FAR Section 52.227-19
"Commercial Computer Software - Restricted Rights" and DFARS 227.7202, et seq.
"Commercial Computer Software and Commercial Computer Software Documentation," as
applicable, and any successor regulations, whether delivered by Veritas as on premises or
hosted services. Any use, modification, reproduction release, performance, display or disclosure
of the Licensed Software and Documentation by the U.S. Government shall be solely in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Veritas Technologies LLC

2625 Augustine Drive
Santa Clara, CA 95054

http://www.veritas.com
Technical Support
Technical Support maintains support centers globally. All support services will be delivered
in accordance with your support agreement and the then-current enterprise technical support
policies. For information about our support offerings and how to contact Technical Support,
visit our website:

https://www.veritas.com/support

You can manage your Veritas account information at the following URL:

https://my.veritas.com

If you have questions regarding an existing support agreement, please email the support
agreement administration team for your region as follows:

Worldwide (except Japan) [email protected]

Japan [email protected]

Documentation
Make sure that you have the current version of the documentation. Each document displays
the date of the last update on page 2. The latest documentation is available on the Veritas
website:

https://sort.veritas.com/documents

Documentation feedback
Your feedback is important to us. Suggest improvements or report errors or omissions to the
documentation. Include the document title, document version, chapter title, and section title
of the text on which you are reporting. Send feedback to:

[email protected]

You can also see documentation information or ask a question on the Veritas community site:

http://www.veritas.com/community/

Veritas Services and Operations Readiness Tools (SORT)

Veritas Services and Operations Readiness Tools (SORT) is a website that provides information
and tools to automate and simplify certain time-consuming administrative tasks. Depending
on the product, SORT helps you prepare for installations and upgrades, identify risks in your
datacenters, and improve operational efficiency. To see what services and tools SORT provides
for your product, see the data sheet:

https://sort.veritas.com/data/support/SORT_Data_Sheet.pdf
 Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction .......................................................................... 11

What’s new about NetBackup for Oracle ........................................... 11
About NetBackup for Oracle ........................................................... 12
NetBackup for Oracle features ........................................................ 13
NetBackup for Oracle terminology .................................................... 16
NetBackup for Oracle operation using the Oracle Intelligent Policy
........................................................................................... 18
Logging the RMAN input and output on a client .................................. 20
NetBackup for Oracle operation using a script-based policy .................. 20
About Oracle RMAN ..................................................................... 22
About the Oracle recovery catalog ................................................... 24

Chapter 2 NetBackup for Oracle QuickStart ................................. 25

Installing NetBackup for Oracle ....................................................... 25

Registering Oracle database instances ............................................. 26
Creating an Oracle database instance group ...................................... 29
Creating an Oracle policy ............................................................... 31

Chapter 3 Installing NetBackup for Oracle .................................... 35

Verifying the operating system and platform compatibility ...................... 35

NetBackup server and client requirements ......................................... 36
Requirements for using NetBackup for SAP MaxDB, SAP Oracle, and
SAP HANA in a NetBackup cluster ............................................. 37
About the license for NetBackup for Oracle ........................................ 37
About accurate licensing for Oracle .................................................. 37
About linking Oracle RMAN with NetBackup for UNIX .......................... 38
Verifying environment variables and shutting down Oracle .............. 39
Linking Oracle RMAN with NetBackup on UNIX platforms ............... 40

Chapter 4 Oracle policy configuration ............................................. 46

Preparing for NetBackup for Oracle configuration ................................ 46

About Oracle policy configuration ............................................... 46
Oracle Home User permissions when NetBackup SAN Client is
used .............................................................................. 48
 Contents 5

Oracle backup policy types ....................................................... 48

Configuring the Maximum jobs per client ..................................... 52
Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP) .................. 53
About the NetBackup Discovery Service ..................................... 54
Viewing the Oracle database instance repository .......................... 55
Manually adding an Oracle database instance to the repository
..................................................................................... 57
Registering an Oracle database instance .................................... 60
About Oracle database instance groups ...................................... 63
Adding an instance to an instance group ..................................... 63
Automatic Registration of an instance group ................................ 64
About instance actions ............................................................ 66
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP) .............................................. 67
Creating an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP) ................................... 69
Oracle database upgrade effect on Oracle Intelligent Policies
..................................................................................... 72
Configuring NetBackup for Oracle automatic backup schedules
..................................................................................... 73
About NetBackup for Oracle schedule properties using Oracle
Intelligent Policy ............................................................... 74
Oracle Intelligent Policy - Storage and Retention ........................... 75
About Oracle Intelligent Policy master server behavior ................... 77
Instances and Databases tab .................................................... 77
Backup Selections tab ............................................................. 79
Oracle tab ............................................................................. 81
About using a NetBackup appliance share for Oracle backups
(Oracle Copilot) ................................................................ 86
Configuring an OIP using a share on the NetBackup appliance
(Oracle Copilot) ................................................................ 88
About script-based Oracle policies ................................................... 90
Adding a new script-based Oracle policy ..................................... 91
About policy attributes ............................................................. 93
About schedule properties ....................................................... 93
Script-based policy - Storage and Retention ................................. 94
Adding clients to a policy .......................................................... 97
About adding backup selections to an Oracle policy ....................... 98
About configuring the run-time environment ................................. 99
About creating shell scripts ..................................................... 106
Configuring the logon account for the NetBackup Client Service for
NetBackup for Oracle ............................................................ 110
Testing configuration settings for NetBackup for Oracle ...................... 111
 Contents 6

Chapter 5 Performing backups and restores of Oracle ............ 113

Overview of using NetBackup for Oracle .......................................... 113
Maintaining the RMAN repository ................................................... 114
Querying the RMAN repository ...................................................... 118
About NetBackup for Oracle backups .............................................. 119
Running the NetBackup for Oracle shell script ............................ 120
Running RMAN .................................................................... 120
Browsing backups using the bplist command .................................... 121
Managing expired backup images .................................................. 122
About preventing the direct expiration of backup images ............... 123
About NetBackup for Oracle restores .............................................. 124
About an Oracle recovery shell script on the client ....................... 124
About catalog names with RAC and Data Guard aware intelligent
policies ......................................................................... 125
Running RMAN on the client ................................................... 126
About Oracle multistream restore for proxy backup ...................... 126
Redirecting a restore to a different client .................................... 128
Using NetBackup for Oracle in a Microsoft Windows cluster
environment ........................................................................ 132
About backups of an Oracle clustered database on Windows
.................................................................................... 133
Bringing the database instance offline on Windows ...................... 133
Bringing the database instance online on Windows ...................... 134
User-directed backup or restore from the Windows client .............. 135
Creating an instant recovery point from an Oracle Copilot image .......... 135
Deleting an instant recovery point for Oracle Copilot instant recovery
.......................................................................................... 138
Cleaning up the Oracle Copilot share after point in time restore of
database ............................................................................ 139
Single-step restore to ASM storage from an Oracle Copilot recovery
point .................................................................................. 145
About restoring from a data file copy to ASM storage using RMAN
.......................................................................................... 149

Chapter 6 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client ............ 150

About NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client ............................. 150

Proxy copy .......................................................................... 152
NetBackup for Oracle stream-based operations .......................... 152
NetBackup for Oracle file-based operations ................................ 153
How NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client works ....................... 154
About the NetBackup for Oracle backup and restore operations
.................................................................................... 155
 Contents 7

Database objects supported by advanced backup methods ........... 156

About NetBackup multistreaming ............................................. 156
RMAN multiple channels ........................................................ 156
Restoring data files to a new location ........................................ 157
Redirecting a restore to a different client .................................... 157
Symbolic links and raw data files (UNIX) .................................... 157
Quick I/O data files (UNIX) ...................................................... 158
RMAN incremental backups .................................................... 158
Proxy backup examples ......................................................... 159
About configuring Snapshot Client with NetBackup for Oracle .............. 162
Configuration requirements for snapshot backups with NetBackup
for Oracle ...................................................................... 162
Configuring a snapshot policy for NetBackup for Oracle ................ 163
Configuring a snapshot policy using a share on the NetBackup
appliance (Oracle Copilot) ................................................ 167
Restoring NetBackup for Oracle from a snapshot backup .................... 169
About restoring individual files from a NetBackup for Oracle
snapshot backup ............................................................ 169
About NetBackup for Oracle restores of volumes and file systems
using snapshot rollback ................................................... 170
About configuring NetBackup for Oracle block-level incremental
backups on UNIX .................................................................. 172
How BLI works with NetBackup for Oracle (UNIX) ....................... 173
About the Storage Checkpoint facility and NetBackup for Oracle
.................................................................................... 174
Configuration requirements for BLI backups with NetBackup for
Oracle .......................................................................... 175
Configuring policies for BLI backups with NetBackup for Oracle
.................................................................................... 175
About Snapshot Client effects ....................................................... 177
How Snapshot Client software affects backup types ..................... 177
How Snapshot Client software affects schedule properties ............ 177
How Snapshot Client software affects scripts .............................. 178
Oracle with Snapshot Client environment variables ...................... 178
About Oracle support for Replication Director ................................... 180
Configuring an Oracle Intelligent Policy using Replication Director
.................................................................................... 181
Configuring a script-based Oracle policy .................................... 187

Chapter 7 NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle ........................ 193

About NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in ............................ 193
Verifying the operating system and platform compatibility .................... 194
 Contents 8

Before you install NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in ............. 194
Installing NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in on the Oracle
database server ................................................................... 195
Using NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in ............................ 196
Configuring the NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in ......... 196
NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle rman.cfg file parameters
.................................................................................... 197
Configuring External Certificate Authority (ECA) .......................... 198
ECA msdp_app.cfg file parameters .......................................... 199
Configuring Oracle RAC ......................................................... 200
Disabling Oracle stream handler .............................................. 200
Performing the RMAN backup directly to MSDP server ................. 201
Performing the RMAN restore directly from the MSDP storage
server ........................................................................... 202
Uninstalling the NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in ............... 202

Chapter 8 Troubleshooting ................................................................ 204

About troubleshooting NetBackup for Oracle .................................... 204
About NetBackup for Oracle troubleshooting steps ............................ 205
NetBackup debug logs and reports ................................................. 207
Enabling the debug logs manually (Windows) ................................... 207
Enabling the debug logs manually (UNIX) ........................................ 209
About the NetBackup for Oracle log files .......................................... 210
Setting the debug level on a Windows client ..................................... 212
Setting the debug level on a UNIX client .......................................... 212
About RMAN utility logs ............................................................... 213
Troubleshooting RMAN backup or restore errors ............................... 213
Verifying the RMAN script on UNIX ........................................... 213
Troubleshooting each stage of the backup or restore ................... 214
Troubleshooting NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client ................ 216
Minimizing timeout failures on large database restores ....................... 217
Minimizing the loading and unloading of tapes for database backups
.......................................................................................... 218
Enabling the debug logs manually for NetBackup Dedupe Direct for
Oracle plug-in ...................................................................... 218

Appendix A Deduplication best practices ........................................ 220

Optimizing and deduplicating stream-based and proxy copy Oracle

backups .............................................................................. 220
Oracle stream handler ................................................................. 222
Configuring a stream-based Oracle backup ...................................... 225
Example RMAN script for a stream-based backup ............................. 227
 Contents 9

Editing the RMAN script and configuring NetBackup for Oracle for a
proxy copy backup ................................................................ 228
Example RMAN script for a proxy copy backup ................................. 229

Appendix B Snapshot Client support of SFRAC ............................ 232

About Snapshot Client support of SFRAC ........................................ 232
NetBackup configuration for an SFRAC environment ......................... 232
Configuring the SFRAC environment for a backup operation ................ 233
Performing a rollback restore in an SFRAC environment ..................... 234
Troubleshooting NetBackup in an SFRAC environment ...................... 236

Appendix C Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI)

Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux
systems ......................................................................... 238
About script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without
RMAN ................................................................................ 238
About BLI backup and restore operations ........................................ 239
Verifying installation requirements for BLI backups without RMAN
.......................................................................................... 240
File system and Storage Checkpoint space management .............. 240
Creating NetBackup policies for script-based BLI backup .................... 241
Number of policies required for BLI backup ................................ 242
About BLI policy attributes ...................................................... 244
About the BLI client list .......................................................... 245
Backup selections list for BLI backups ....................................... 245
About schedules for BLI backup policies .................................... 245
Example Oracle BLI backup policy ........................................... 246
Setting the maximum jobs per client global attribute ..................... 247
About BLI backup methods ..................................................... 248
Creating notify scripts for BLI backups ...................................... 249
Performing backups and restores ................................................... 254
About NetBackup for Oracle agent automatic backups ................. 254
About NetBackup for Oracle manual backups ............................. 254
Backing up Quick I/O files ....................................................... 255
Restoring BLI backup images .................................................. 256
About NetBackup backup and restore logs ................................. 257
About troubleshooting backup or restore errors ................................. 258
Troubleshooting stages of backup and restore operations ............. 258
NetBackup restore and backup status codes .............................. 259
Improving NetBackup backup performance ................................ 261
About BLI backup and database recovery .................................. 261
 Contents 10

Appendix D XML Archiver .................................................................... 262

NetBackup for Oracle XML export and XML import ............................ 262
NetBackup for Oracle XML export and import archiving features
.................................................................................... 262
XML export archive process .................................................... 263
Sequence of operation: XML export archive ............................... 265
XML import restore process .................................................... 267
Sequence of operation: XML import restore ................................ 268
About the environment variables set by a user in the XML export
parameter file ....................................................................... 269
About XML export shell scripts ...................................................... 270
Creating XML export scripts manually ....................................... 270
Performing an XML export archive ................................................. 272
Running the NetBackup for Oracle XML export script on the client
.................................................................................... 273
Running bporaexp on the client as an Oracle user ....................... 273
Writing to a directory versus writing to a storage unit .................... 274
About bporaexp parameters .................................................... 275
Browsing XML export archives using bporaimp parameters ................. 278
Browsing XML export archives using bplist ....................................... 279
Restoring an XML export archive ................................................... 280
Running an XML import script on the client ................................ 281
Running bporaimp on the client ............................................... 281
About bporaimp parameters .................................................... 282
About redirecting a restore of an XML export archive to a different
client ............................................................................ 285
Troubleshooting XML export or XML import errors ............................. 288
Checking the logs to determine the source of an error .................. 288
Troubleshooting each stage of the XML export or XML import
.................................................................................... 290
Additional XML export and import logs ............................................ 292

Appendix E Register authorized locations ....................................... 294

Registering authorized locations used by a NetBackup database
script-based policy ................................................................ 294

Index .................................................................................................................. 297

 Chapter 1
Introduction
This chapter includes the following topics:

■ What’s new about NetBackup for Oracle

■ About NetBackup for Oracle

■ NetBackup for Oracle features

■ NetBackup for Oracle terminology

■ NetBackup for Oracle operation using the Oracle Intelligent Policy

■ Logging the RMAN input and output on a client

■ NetBackup for Oracle operation using a script-based policy

■ About Oracle RMAN

■ About the Oracle recovery catalog

What’s new about NetBackup for Oracle

NetBackup will remove instance groups for Oracle and the nboradm command in
a future release.
In future releases, NetBackup replaces the functions of the instance groups and
the nboraadm command with options in the web UI and APIs.
NetBackup does not support Guided Recovery in OpsCenter. If a client has
ORACLE_METADATA=YES set on a back-level client, then the backup jobs end in status
1.
 Introduction 12
About NetBackup for Oracle

About NetBackup for Oracle

NetBackup integrates the database backup and recovery capabilities of the Oracle
Recovery Manager (RMAN) with the backup and recovery management capabilities
of NetBackup.
Figure 1-1 shows the major components in a NetBackup configuration. The server
that hosts the Oracle database must be a NetBackup client. The master server
must also have NetBackup for Oracle licensed.

Figure 1-1 NetBackup for Oracle on a sample network

System containing Oracle System hosting the Oracle database

database Recovery Catalog NetBackup for Oracle supplies:
- Sample configuration
Oracle database
program
to back up or
- Sample script files
restore
- NetBackup I/O library
(libobk)
- bporaimp and bporaexp
Oracle database software supplies: Additional NetBackup
– Oracle Recovery Manager (RMAN) software:
– Oracle Call Interface (OCI) - NetBackup client (required)

Network (TCP/IP)

NetBackup master server or

remote media server Storage unit

NetBackup software:
– NetBackup master server
– NetBackup media server

See “NetBackup for Oracle features” on page 13.

See “NetBackup for Oracle operation using a script-based policy” on page 20.
See “NetBackup for Oracle terminology” on page 16.
 Introduction 13
NetBackup for Oracle features

NetBackup for Oracle features

The following table shows the NetBackup for Oracle main features:

Table 1-1 NetBackup for Oracle features

Feature Description

Media and device All devices that the Media Manager supports are available to
management NetBackup for Oracle.

Scheduling facilities NetBackup scheduling facilities on the master server can be

used to schedule automatic and unattended Oracle backups.

This feature also lets you choose the times when these
operations can occur. For example, to prevent interference with
normal daytime operations, you can schedule your database
backups to occur only at night.

Multiplexed backups and NetBackup for Oracle lets you take advantage of NetBackup’s
restores multiplexing capabilities. Multiplexing directs multiple data
streams to one backup device, thereby reducing the time
necessary to complete the operation.

Transparent Oracle and All backups and restores run simultaneously and transparently
regular file system backup without any action from the NetBackup administrator. The
and restore operations database administrator can run database backup and restore
operations through NetBackup. An administrator or any other
authorized user can use NetBackup to run database backups
and restores.

If you use the command line interface or scripts, you must use
script-based Oracle policies. These policies use Oracle’s
Recovery Manager (RMAN) as if NetBackup were not present.
 Introduction 14
NetBackup for Oracle features

Table 1-1 NetBackup for Oracle features (continued)

Feature Description

Oracle Instance An Oracle instance discovery service automatically polls the

management clients throughout the NetBackup environment every five
minutes. The service collects the discovered instances in an
instance repository. The user can view the instances on the
NetBackup Administration Console or by using the nboraadm
command.

You can create the instance groups that each contain a set of
instances that are registered with a common set of credentials.
A default instance group can be created for the newly
discovered instances that are then automatically registered into
this group.

You select Oracle instances and instance groups to be part of

an Oracle backup policy. You can create the policy for the
default instance group to make sure that all newly created
instances are automatically protected.

Oracle DBAs can use the nboraadm command on the

NetBackup client to manage instances, instance groups, and
their credentials. This command is very useful in environments
where the Oracle credentials are known only by the DBAs and
not by the NetBackup administrators.

Sharing the same storage You can share the same devices and media that are used for
units that are used for other other backups or give Oracle exclusive use of certain devices
file backups and media. NetBackup for Oracle can use the Media Manager,
disk, or Media Server Deduplication Pool (MSDP) storage units.

Centralized and networked From the NetBackup master server, you can schedule database
backup operations backups or start them manually for any client or instance. The
Oracle databases can also reside on the hosts that are different
from the devices on which NetBackup stores the backups.

Graphical user interfaces NetBackup provides the following graphical user interfaces for
client users and administrators:

■ NetBackup Administration Console for Java

■ NetBackup web UI
■ NetBackup OpsCenter

Parallel backup and restore NetBackup for Oracle supports the parallel backup and restore
operations RMAN capabilities. For example, you can run more than one
tape device at a time for a single Oracle backup or restore.
This capability reduces the time necessary to complete the
operation.
 Introduction 15
NetBackup for Oracle features

Table 1-1 NetBackup for Oracle features (continued)

Feature Description

Compression Compression increases backup performance over the network

and reduces the size of the backup image that NetBackup
writes to the storage unit.

Support for Replication Replication director can be used to create snapshots of the
Director Oracle database. The snapshots can then be replicated to other
NetApp disk arrays or backup the snapshot to a storage unit.
To use Replication Director, the Oracle database must exist
on a NetApp NAS disk array. Replication Director is not
supported on SAN storage at this time.

Oracle snapshot backups that use Replication Director are

supported on UNIX and Linux platforms only.

Support on a NetBackup
Note: This feature requires a NetBackup appliance running
appliance for backup to an
software version 2.7.1 or later.
appliance share
(NetBackup Copilot for Oracle Copilot enhances the Oracle Intelligent Policy by giving
Oracle) you options for protecting an Oracle database using a share
on a NetBackup appliance. This feature gives you better control
of backups when an Oracle database backup is placed in a
database share by the DBA. This feature also lets you choose
a database share as the destination for the first backup copy.
The backup copy is a full set of database data file copies
created, incrementally updated, and protected by NetBackup.
You must create a share on the appliance for this option using
the NetBackup Appliance Shell Menu.

Oracle backups only work on an NFS share on the NetBackup

appliance.

For more information about how to set up the share, see

Creating a share from the NetBackup Appliance Shell Menu in
the NetBackup 52xx and 5330 Appliance Administrator’s Guide.

Immediate backup for The Oracle DBA can start an immediate backup from the client
Oracle DBA using the nboraadm -immediate command. The Oracle
DBA can start the backup instead of waiting for the backup to
be initiated based on the NetBackup schedule. This command
option is useful if the Oracle DBA wants to perform a backup
before maintenance. The command must be initiated from the
client where the instance resides.
 Introduction 16
NetBackup for Oracle terminology

Table 1-1 NetBackup for Oracle features (continued)

Feature Description

Support for Container and Oracle 12c introduced the container databases (CDB) and
Pluggable databases pluggable databases (PDB). The Oracle Intelligent Policy is
enhanced and allows a backup to include single or multiple
PDBs.

This feature also lets you select one or more Oracle 12c
instances along with non-Oracle 12c instances in OIP.

Full Oracle Real Application NetBackup supports Oracle RAC when you set up an Oracle
Clusters (RAC) support in policy in the NetBackup web UI. The NetBackup Administration
Oracle Intelligent Policies Console does not have support for Oracle RAC policy setup.
However, this manual contains all information for creating an
Oracle RAC policy that applies to the policy creation in the web
UI. The NetBackup Web UI Administrator’s Guide contains the
instructions to add an Oracle RAC.

Oracle RAC load balanced The NetBackup web UI has the ability to load balance the
backups Oracle RAC database during a backup. The NetBackup Web
UI Administrator’s Guide contains the information for load
balancing.

NetBackup Dedupe Direct NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle offers a lightweight plug-in
for Oracle for RMAN backups to MSDP storage.

The Oracle database administrator can control the whole

protection and life-cycle stages without NetBackup client. It
also enables client-side deduplication to minimize network
traffic and improves overall backup speed.

See “About NetBackup for Oracle” on page 12.

See “NetBackup for Oracle operation using the Oracle Intelligent Policy” on page 18.
See “NetBackup for Oracle operation using a script-based policy” on page 20.
See “NetBackup for Oracle terminology” on page 16.
See “About Oracle RMAN” on page 22.
See “About the Oracle recovery catalog” on page 24.

NetBackup for Oracle terminology

Table 1-2 explains some Oracle terms as they pertain to NetBackup.
 Introduction 17
NetBackup for Oracle terminology

Table 1-2 Oracle terms

Term Definition

Full backup A full backup backs up all the blocks into the backup set, skipping only
data file blocks that have never been used. Note that a full backup is
not the same as a whole database backup; "full" is an indicator that the
backup is not incremental.

A full backup has no effect on subsequent incremental backups, which

is why it is not considered part of the incremental strategy. In other
words, a full backup does not affect which blocks are included in
subsequent incremental backups.

Incremental An incremental backup is a backup of only those blocks that have

backup changed since a previous backup. Oracle lets you create and restore
incremental backups of data files, tablespaces, and a database. You
can include a control file in an incremental backup set, but the control
file is always included in its entirety. No blocks are skipped.

Multilevel RMAN lets you create multilevel backups. RMAN can create multilevel
incremental incremental backup. A value of 0 or 1 denotes each incremental level.
backup
A level 0 incremental backup, which is the base for subsequent
incremental backups, copies all blocks containing data. You can create
a level 0 database backup as backup sets or image copies.

The only difference between a level 0 incremental backup and a full

backup is that a full backup is never included in an incremental strategy.
Thus, an incremental level 0 backup is a full backup that happens to
be the parent of incremental backups whose level is greater than 0.

The benefit to performing multilevel incremental backups is that you do

not back up all of the blocks all of the time. Incremental backups at a
level greater than zero (0) only copy the blocks that were modified.
Hence, the backup size can be significantly smaller and the backup
might require much less time. The size of the backup file depends solely
upon the number of blocks that are modified and the incremental backup
level.

Differential In a differential level 1 backup, RMAN backs up all blocks that have
incremental changed since the most recent incremental backup at level 1 (cumulative
backup or differential) or level 0. For example, in a differential level 1 backup,
RMAN determines which level 1 backup is the most recent backup.
RMAN backs up all blocks that have been modified after that backup.
If no level 1 is available, then RMAN copies all blocks that have changed
since the base level 0 backup.
 Introduction 18
NetBackup for Oracle operation using the Oracle Intelligent Policy

Table 1-2 Oracle terms (continued)

Term Definition

Cumulative In a cumulative level 1 incremental backup, RMAN backs up all blocks

incremental that have changed since the most recent backup at level 0.
backup
Cumulative incremental backups reduce the work that is needed for a
restore. The cumulative incremental backup ensures that you only need
one incremental backup from any particular level at restore time.
Cumulative backups require more space and time than differential
incremental backups, however, because they duplicate the work that
previous backups did at the same level.

NetBackup for Oracle operation using the Oracle

Intelligent Policy
The Oracle Intelligent Policy feature lets you create a policy that specifies one or
more Oracle instances to be backed up. You manage instances in an instance
repository available on the NetBackup Administration Console. The instance
repository contains all discovered and manually created Oracle instances in the
NetBackup environment. Instance management lets you add, change, delete, and
register instances with a set of credentials.
See “Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)” on page 53.
To create an Oracle Intelligent Policy, you can use the Policy Configuration Wizard
or the Policies utility. The Policy Configuration Wizard is easier to use because
it guides you through the setup process by automatically choosing the best values
for most configurations. But the wizard does not present all policy configuration
options (for example, calendar-based scheduling). After you create a policy, you
can use the Policies utility to configure the options that are not part of the wizard.
Policy creation includes assigning instances to the policy. The Oracle Intelligent
Policy does not require you to know how RMAN functions or how to use scripts.
The feature is instance-based and not scripting based.
See “Creating an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)” on page 69.
NetBackup for Oracle includes a library of functions that enable RMAN to use
NetBackup. On UNIX, NetBackup uses the RMAN SBT_LIBRARY parameter to
link the RMAN server software with the media management API library that
NetBackup for Oracle installs. On Windows, the NetBackup for Oracle library is
located in c:\Windows\system32.
See “Installing NetBackup for Oracle” on page 25.
 Introduction 19
NetBackup for Oracle operation using the Oracle Intelligent Policy

When you back up Oracle database instances, each resultant backup set contains
at least one backup piece from the target database. You must give each backup
piece a unique name. Several substitution variables are available to aid in generating
unique names. The policy utility provides a set of default file name formats for the
backup pieces. NetBackup considers the backup piece name as the file being
backed up, so this name must be unique in the catalog.
To override any of the default file name formats, select Specify backup file name
formats. You can change the formats for the various backup file names for data
files, archived redo logs, the control file, and the Fast Recovery Area (FRA). Ensure
that the format that is specified for all RMAN backup piece names ends with _%t
to guarantee that each backup piece has a unique name in the catalog. NetBackup
uses this timestamp as part of its search criteria for catalog images. Without this
timestamp, performance may degrade as the NetBackup catalog grows.
For a backup, the following items apply:
■ The rman command starts the requested operation on the databases.
■ When the process requires media to store backup data, RMAN issues a backup
request to start a user-directed backup.
■ The NetBackup media server connects to NetBackup for Oracle on the client.
NetBackup for Oracle on the client sends the database data to the NetBackup
media server which saves the data to secondary storage. A restore operation
works in essentially the same manner except that RMAN issues a restore
request. Then NetBackup retrieves the data from secondary storage and sends
it to NetBackup for Oracle on the client.
■ RMAN supports parallel operations, so that a single rman command can start
more than one backup, or restore on the NetBackup system.
■ The status for an RMAN operation is stored in the RMAN catalog or in the
database control file. This same status appears in the output of the RMAN
command that is used to run the backup or restore. This status is the only status
that a database administrator must check to verify that a backup or restore has
been successful.
■ You can see the RMAN script and RMAN output in the details of the controlling
job (bphdb) in the Activity Monitor.
■ NetBackup also logs status, but only for its own part of the operation. The
database administrator cannot use the NetBackup status to determine whether
rman was successful. Errors can occur in rman that do not affect NetBackup and
are not recorded in its logs.
See “NetBackup for Oracle operation using a script-based policy” on page 20.
 Introduction 20
Logging the RMAN input and output on a client

Logging the RMAN input and output on a client

NetBackup has the ability to log the RMAN input and output that is logged locally
on the client and also sent to the Activity Monitor. The RMAN_OUTPUT_DIR entry
specifies which directory to place the RMAN input and output locally on the client
for Oracle Intelligent Policy backups. The log is only created when a backup is run
using an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP) and the file is continuously updated during
the RMAN backup. Only one RMAN_OUTPUT_DIR entry per client is allowed in a
Windows environment. In a UNIX environment, each user can place the output in
a different location by adding the RMAN_OUTPUT_DIR entry to $HOME/bp.conf file.
The value in the $HOME/bp.conf file takes precedence if it exists. NetBackup does
not clean up the log files so the Oracle user has to clean up the log files manually.
You must use the nbgetconfig and the nbsetconfig commands to view, add, or
change the option. The directory that is specified must exist and the Oracle user
needs to have permission to create files within the directory.
Use the following format:
RMAN_OUTPUT_DIR = directory_name

The directory_name is a directory to which the Oracle user has permission to create
files within the directory.
For information about these commands, see the NetBackup Commands Reference
Guide.
The file name has a specific format that includes the client name, policy name (OIP),
schedule type, date stamp (yyyymmdd), and timestamp (hhmmss). The following
is an example of how the file name looks in the directory:
orac121_backuppolicyname_full_20160201_184157_GMT.log

The following are examples of RMAN_OUTPUT_DIR entires:

Windows: install_path\oracle\oracle_logs\RMAN
UNIX: /oracle/oracle_logs/rman

NetBackup for Oracle operation using a

script-based policy
The following are prerequisites for performing Oracle backups to a storage unit:
■ On Windows, access to the NetBackup library
■ On UNIX, linking with NetBackup
■ Generating unique file names
 Introduction 21
NetBackup for Oracle operation using a script-based policy

NetBackup users or automatic schedules can start database backups by specifying

a shell script in the file list of the Oracle policy. The shell script specifies the backup
commands that RMAN performs on the client.
On Windows, NetBackup for Oracle includes a library of functions that enable RMAN
to use NetBackup. This library is in c:\Windows\system32.
On UNIX, NetBackup for Oracle includes a library of functions that enable RMAN
to use NetBackup. You can link to this library.
See “About linking Oracle RMAN with NetBackup for UNIX” on page 38.
When you use the RMAN backup command, each resulting backup set contains
at least one backup piece (data file, data file copy, control file, or archive log) from
the target database. You must give each backup piece a unique name using the
format operand. Several substitution variables are available to aid in generating
unique names. You can specify the format operand in the backup command.
NetBackup considers the backup piece name as the file being backed up, so this
name must be unique in the catalog.
For a backup, the following items apply:
■ The rman command starts the requested operation on the databases.
■ When the process requires media to store backup data, RMAN starts a
user-directed backup by issuing a backup request.
■ The NetBackup media server connects to NetBackup for Oracle on the client.
NetBackup for Oracle on the client sends the database data to the NetBackup
media server which saves the data to secondary storage. A restore operation
works in essentially the same manner except that RMAN issues a restore
request. Then NetBackup retrieves the data from secondary storage and sends
it to NetBackup for Oracle on the client.
■ RMAN supports parallel operations, so a single rman command can start more
than one backup, or restore on the NetBackup system.
■ The status for an RMAN operation is stored in the RMAN catalog or in the
database control file. This same status appears in the output of the RMAN
command that runs the backup or restore. This status is the only status that a
database administrator must check to verify that a backup or restore has been
successful.
■ NetBackup also logs status, but only for its own part of the operation. The
database administrator cannot use the NetBackup status to determine whether
rman was successful. Errors can occur in rman that do not affect NetBackup and
are not recorded in its logs.
See “NetBackup for Oracle operation using the Oracle Intelligent Policy” on page 18.
 Introduction 22
About Oracle RMAN

See “About NetBackup for Oracle” on page 12.

See “NetBackup for Oracle features” on page 13.
See “About Oracle RMAN” on page 22.

About Oracle RMAN

RMAN performs a wide variety of automated backup and recovery functions. During
a backup or a restore, RMAN provides the interface to the databases, and it extracts
and inserts data.
To start a database backup or restore, the database administrator runs the rman
command. You can run this command from the command line, a script, or an
application such as NetBackup. The RMAN script is used as a parameter to the
rman command and specifies the operations to be performed (for example, backup
or restore). The RMAN script also defines other components of the operation such
as the database objects to be backed up or restored.
During a backup or restore, RMAN controls the data streams going into or out of a
database. RMAN can access storage devices when it is integrated with a media
management system, such as the system that NetBackup provides.
RMAN provides true incremental backups. An incremental backup backs up data
files and includes only the blocks that have been changed since the last incremental
backup. For more information on the backup and recovery process, see your Oracle
documentation.
Table 1-3 explains Oracle RMAN terms as they pertain to NetBackup.

Table 1-3 Oracle RMAN terms

Term Definition

backup set A backup set is a backup of one or more data files, control files, SPFILEs,
and archived redo log files. Each backup set consists of one or more binary
files called backup pieces. Backup pieces are written in a proprietary format
that only RMAN can create or restore.

instance An Oracle database instance consists of a System Global Area (SGA) and
the Oracle background processes. When Oracle starts a database, it
allocates an SGA and starts Oracle background processes. The SGA is
de-allocated when the instance shuts down.

Real RAC is an option that allows multiple concurrent instances to share a single
Application physical database.
Clusters (RAC)
 Introduction 23
About Oracle RMAN

Table 1-3 Oracle RMAN terms (continued)

Term Definition

RMAN RMAN backs up, restores, and recovers database files. RMAN starts Oracle
database server processes on the target database. These Oracle database
server processes perform the backup and restore. RMAN performs backup
and recovery procedures, and it greatly simplifies the tasks that
administrators perform during these processes.

However, RMAN cannot directly manage the storage devices and media
that are used in its backups. So it must be integrated with an application
that has these capabilities. NetBackup for Oracle provides device and media
management capabilities by integrating RMAN with NetBackup and its
media management software. Also, RMAN can access NetBackup’s
automatic scheduling facilities and its graphical interfaces.

RMAN An RMAN recovery catalog or the database control file is a repository for
repository the information that RMAN uses and maintains. RMAN uses this information
to determine how to run requested backup and restore actions.

rman The rman command starts an RMAN backup or restore.

command

RMAN script The RMAN script specifies the commands for RMAN to perform (for
example, backups and restores). For information on RMAN commands and
script files, see your Oracle documentation.

The following directory contains example RMAN shell scripts:

Windows:

install_path\NetBackup\dbext\Oracle\samples\rman

UNIX:

/usr/openv/netbackup/ext/db_ext/oracle/samples/rman

These example scripts run RMAN commands and are fully commented to
explain the features that are used. You can review these examples and use
them as a starting point for developing backup, restore, and recovery scripts.

For more information on RMAN terminology, see your Oracle documentation.

See “About the Oracle recovery catalog” on page 24.
See “NetBackup for Oracle operation using a script-based policy” on page 20.
See “NetBackup for Oracle features” on page 13.
 Introduction 24
About the Oracle recovery catalog

About the Oracle recovery catalog

The recovery catalog is a repository of information. RMAN uses the information in
the recovery catalog to determine how to perform requested backup and restore
actions.
The recovery catalog contains information about the following software components:
■ Data file and archive log backup sets and backup pieces.
■ Data file copies.
■ Archived redo logs and their copies.
■ Tablespaces and data files on the target database.
■ Stored scripts. These are named, user-created sequences of RMAN and SQL
commands.
Oracle recommends that you use RMAN with a recovery catalog, especially if you
have 20 or more data files. However, you are not required to maintain a recovery
catalog with RMAN.
For information on the benefits and disadvantages of using a recovery catalog, see
your Oracle documentation.
See “NetBackup for Oracle features” on page 13.
See “About Oracle RMAN” on page 22.
See “NetBackup for Oracle operation using the Oracle Intelligent Policy” on page 18.
See “NetBackup for Oracle operation using a script-based policy” on page 20.
 Chapter 2
NetBackup for Oracle
QuickStart
This chapter includes the following topics:

■ Installing NetBackup for Oracle

■ Registering Oracle database instances

■ Creating an Oracle database instance group

■ Creating an Oracle policy

Installing NetBackup for Oracle

Before you can create an Oracle Intelligent Policy, you need to install NetBackup
for Oracle and use the instance management facility.
 NetBackup for Oracle QuickStart 26
Registering Oracle database instances

To install NetBackup for Oracle

1 Verify that the NetBackup for Oracle agent is supported on your operating
system and platform.
See “Verifying the operating system and platform compatibility” on page 35.
2 Make sure that you meet the server requirements and client requirements of
NetBackup for Oracle.
See “NetBackup server and client requirements” on page 36.
3 Install NetBackup if it is not already on your system.

Note: The Oracle database agent is installed as part of the NetBackup client
installation.

For more information on NetBackup installation, see the NetBackup Installation

Guide.

Registering Oracle database instances

The Oracle Discovery Service discovers Oracle database instances in the NetBackup
environment and collects them in an instance repository. You must register all the
discovered instances that you want to protect by assigning them credentials. An
Oracle policy accepts only registered instances.
You can register instances individually or add them to an instance group where
they assume the credentials of the group. You can also manually add an instance
and assign it a set of credentials at that time. The Oracle database user is required
to have a certain level of credentials. The Oracle database user must have
SYSBACKUP or SYSDBA privileges (based on version of Oracle).

Use the NetBackup Administration Console or the nboraadm command on the

CLI to access the repository for instance registration. The nboraadm command is
available on the NetBackup master server and the NetBackup clients. This command
is available because users such as the DBAs may not have access to the master
server. The NetBackup administrator uses nboraadm on the master server to control
the list of users and clients that have access to nboraadm on the NetBackup client.
To register Oracle database instances
1 In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, expand
NetBackup Management > Applications > Oracle.
2 The Oracle entry in the left pane contains two items:
 NetBackup for Oracle QuickStart 27
Registering Oracle database instances

■ Click All Instances to display the list of instances. The list includes the
names of instances that you have added and the instances that the Oracle
Discovery Service has discovered. The following is an example of the screen
that appears:

■ Click Instance Groups to create an instance group to which you can then
add instances with the same credentials.
Procedures are available about how to create an instance group.
See “Creating an Oracle database instance group” on page 29.
3 Select one or more instances on the instance list. Use the Ctrl and Shift keys
as needed to select multiple instances.
 NetBackup for Oracle QuickStart 28
Registering Oracle database instances

4 Select Actions > Register. The following Register Instance panel appears.

5 Do one of the following:

■ If you have already created an instance group, select Add to group and
register using group credentials to add the instance(s) to the group.
Select the instance group name from the Instance Group pulldown menu.
The instance assumes the credentials of the instance group. Click OK to
continue.
■ Click Use Instance Credentials. Enter the instance credentials and click
OK.

6 The credentials are validated and a Validation Report dialog shows the results.
You can save the credentials even if the validation fails. Click OK to display
the Instances list again.
7 Verify that the Instances list shows the date-time when you registered the
instance. The instance is now available to select for an Oracle Intelligent Policy.
8 Repeat for all other instances that you want registered individually or as part
of an instance group.
 NetBackup for Oracle QuickStart 29
Creating an Oracle database instance group

See “Installing NetBackup for Oracle” on page 25.

See “Creating an Oracle database instance group” on page 29.
See “Creating an Oracle policy” on page 31.

Creating an Oracle database instance group

This procedure lets you create an instance group that includes instances with a
common set of credentials. You can create a default instance group for
newly-discovered instances. Then you can create a policy that uses this instance
group to automatically protect the new instances.
To create an Oracle database instance group
1 In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, expand
NetBackup Management > Applications > Oracle.
2 Right-click Instance Groups and select New Instance Group. The following
New Instance Group dialog appears.
 NetBackup for Oracle QuickStart 30
Creating an Oracle database instance group

3 Enter the Instance Group Name in the text window, then fill in the appropriate
credentials, and click OK.

Note: Instance group names cannot be localized. NetBackup does not support
non-US ASCII characters in the instance group name.

The newly created instance group name appears in the right pane.
Click Help for help with entering the appropriate credentials. If necessary,
contact the Oracle database administrator for the correct set of credentials.
4 To assign individual instances to this instance group, click Instances in the
left pane to display the list of instances.
5 Right-click the desired instance and select Register to display the following
Register Instance panel. You can use the Ctrl and Shift keys to select multiple
instances for registering.
 NetBackup for Oracle QuickStart 31
Creating an Oracle policy

6 Make sure Add to group and register using group credentials is selected.
Use the Instance Group pulldown menu to select the instance group that you
want the instance to be added to, then click OK.
7 Repeat for each instance that you want included in the instance group.
8 You may want to make this instance group the default for all newly discovered
instances. If so, all newly discovered instances are automatically added to this
instance group. More information is available about auto-registering an instance
group.
See “Automatic Registration of an instance group” on page 64.
See “Installing NetBackup for Oracle” on page 25.
See “Registering Oracle database instances” on page 26.
See “Creating an Oracle policy” on page 31.

Creating an Oracle policy

The easiest method to set up a backup policy is to use the Policy Configuration
Wizard. This wizard guides you through the setup process by automatically choosing
the best values for most configurations.
See “About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)” on page 67.
Not all policy configuration options are presented through the wizard (for example,
calendar-based scheduling and the Data Classification setting). After the policy is
created, modify the policy in the Policies utility to configure the options that are not
part of the wizard.
Use the following procedure to create a policy using the Policy Configuration Wizard.
To create a policy with the Policy Configuration Wizard
1 In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, click NetBackup
Management.
2 In the right pane, click Create a Policy to begin the Policy Configuration
Wizard. The first panel of the Policy Configuration Wizard appears.
3 Select Oracle - Backup Oracle data on the panel, then click Next.
4 Follow the prompts. Click Help on any wizard panel for assistance while running
the wizard.
Use the following procedure to create a policy without using the Policy
Configuration Wizard.
 NetBackup for Oracle QuickStart 32
Creating an Oracle policy

To create a policy without the Policy Configuration Wizard

1 In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, expand
NetBackup Management > Policies.
2 On the Actions menu, click New > New Policy.
3 Type a unique name for the new policy in the Add a New Policy dialog box.
If necessary, clear the Use Policy Configuration Wizard check box, then
click OK.
The Attributes tab of the Add New Policy dialog box appears along with the
following set of tabs across the top of the panel:

4 In the Policy Type pulldown menu, select Oracle. This action causes the tabs
across the top of the panel to change to the following:

5 The Add New Policy panels contain some default conditions and some
parameters that you must specify. The default values are the best values for
most configurations. However, you may need to customize the parameter
settings on one or more of the tabs.
The dialog contains the following set of tabbed pages:
■ Attributes tab. Default values are automatically selected on the Attributes
tab. More information is available about these attributes.
See the NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.
■ Schedules tab. More information is available about this tab.
 NetBackup for Oracle QuickStart 33
Creating an Oracle policy

See the NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.

■ Instances and Databases tab. On this page, select the instances and
instance groups that you want backed up for the policy. An Oracle Intelligent
Policy (OIP) must include either the Protect Instances and Databases or
the Protect instance groups option. More information is available about
this tab.
See “Instances and Databases tab” on page 77.
■ Backup Selections tab. More information is available about the attributes
on this tab.
See “Backup Selections tab” on page 79.
■ Oracle tab. More information is available about the attributes on this tab.
See “Oracle tab” on page 81.

6 To protect the newly discovered instances, you may have to create the instance
group first, then set up a policy for the default instance group.
See “Automatic Registration of an instance group” on page 64.
7 (Optional) Create bpstart_notify and bpend_notify scripts for an Oracle
Intelligent Policy (OIP).
For an OIP, the scripts must include the .policyname or
.policyname.schedule suffix or the script does not run at the start or end of
the policy. An OIP ignores the generic bpstart_notify and bpend_notify
scripts and they do not work for a non-OIP.

Note: For RAC OIP backups the bpstart_notify and the bpend_notify
scripts must reside on all Oracle RAC nodes.

The generic bpstart_notify or bpend_notify scripts reside on the server

and the location varies by platform:
■ UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/goodies/
■ Windows: Install_path/NetBackup/bin/goodies/
The renamed script must be copied from the server and placed in the
NetBackup bin directory on the client:
■ UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/
■ Windows: Install_path\NetBackup\bin\
Examples of renamed scripts:
■ UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/bpstart_notify.oip_instance1 or
/usr/openv/netbackup/bin/bpend_notify.oip_instance2.full
 NetBackup for Oracle QuickStart 34
Creating an Oracle policy

■ Windows:
install_path\NetBackup\bin\bpstart_notify.oip_instance1.bat or
install_path\NetBackup\bin\bpend_notify.oip_instance2.full.bat

For more information about the bpstart_notify and bpend_notify scripts,

refer to the NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume II
See “Registering Oracle database instances” on page 26.
See “Creating an Oracle database instance group” on page 29.
See “Installing NetBackup for Oracle” on page 25.
 Chapter 3
Installing NetBackup for
Oracle
This chapter includes the following topics:

■ Verifying the operating system and platform compatibility

■ NetBackup server and client requirements

■ Requirements for using NetBackup for SAP MaxDB, SAP Oracle, and SAP
HANA in a NetBackup cluster

■ About the license for NetBackup for Oracle

■ About accurate licensing for Oracle

■ About linking Oracle RMAN with NetBackup for UNIX

Verifying the operating system and platform

compatibility
Verify that the NetBackup for Oracle agent is supported on your operating system
or platform.
 Installing NetBackup for Oracle 36
NetBackup server and client requirements

To verify operating system and compatibility

1 Go to the NetBackup compatibility list site.
http://www.netbackup.com/compatibility
2 Click on the following document:
Application/Database Agent Compatibility List
3 For information on support for Snapshot Client, see the following document:
Snapshot Client Compatibility List

NetBackup server and client requirements

Every NetBackup server includes the NetBackup client software by default.
Therefore, you can use NetBackup for Oracle on a NetBackup server or client (if
NetBackup for Oracle is supported on that platform).
Verify that the following requirements are met for the NetBackup server:
■ The NetBackup server software is installed and operational on the NetBackup
server. The NetBackup server platform can be any that NetBackup supports.
See the NetBackup Installation Guide.
■ One or more Oracle database instances must exist.
■ Make sure that you configure any backup media that the storage unit uses.
The number of media volumes that are required depends on several things:
■ The devices used
■ The sizes of the databases that you want to back up
■ The amount of data that you want to archive
■ The size of your backups
■ The frequency of backups or archives
See the NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.
■ Verify that the NetBackup client software is installed on the computer that has
the databases you want to back up.
If the database is clustered, you must use the same version of NetBackup on
each node in the cluster.
See “About the license for NetBackup for Oracle” on page 37.
 Installing NetBackup for Oracle 37
Requirements for using NetBackup for SAP MaxDB, SAP Oracle, and SAP HANA in a NetBackup cluster

Requirements for using NetBackup for SAP

MaxDB, SAP Oracle, and SAP HANA in a
NetBackup cluster
If you plan to use NetBackup for Oracle on a NetBackup server configured in a
NetBackup cluster, verify the following requirements:
■ NetBackup supports your cluster environment.
See the Software Compatibility List (SCL).
■ The NetBackup server software is installed and configured to work in a
NetBackup cluster.
See the NetBackup Installation Guide.
See the NetBackup Clustered Master Server Administrator's Guide.
■ The NetBackup client software is installed and operational on each node to
which NetBackup can failover.
■ A valid license for NetBackup for Oracle must exist on each node where
NetBackup server resides.

About the license for NetBackup for Oracle

The NetBackup for Oracle agent is installed with the NetBackup client software.
No separate installation is required. A valid license for the agent must exist on the
master server.
More information is available on how to add licenses.
See the NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.
For a NetBackup cluster, a valid license for NetBackup for Oracle must exist on
each node where NetBackup server resides.

About accurate licensing for Oracle

Accurate licensing for Oracle is specific to an Oracle policy. The size of the data
that is reported does not include the NetBackup for Oracle XML Archiver. This type
of licensing collects the front-end data size (FEDS) for any Oracle backup that can
be restored, not including transaction logs. Oracle Intelligent Policies define the
backup selection on the Instances and Databases tab. The backup selection for
script-based Oracle policies is defined based on what the script protects.
 Installing NetBackup for Oracle 38
About linking Oracle RMAN with NetBackup for UNIX

Note: The data size collection does not work properly if OS authentication is
disabled.

Licensing data is collected for each database that is protected even if there are
multiple databases on a single host or cluster. Licensing uses physical data file
characteristics the Oracle database reports, not logical or segment sizes. The
reason NetBackup collects data this way is that during a disaster recovery, RMAN
needs to restore the full physical data file and not just its logical pieces.
Oracle Data Guard configurations are licensed on a per database basis. Each of
the primary or the standby databases needs to be restored individually and FEDS
licensing is used for any Oracle backup that can be restored. Each of the primary
or the standby databases reports their FEDS data whenever NetBackup protects
it during a backup operation.
The following Oracle queries are used to gather file size information:
■ Get size of database files being backed up
This query retrieves the list of database files and their file sizes (in MB) for an
instance:
select NAME, BYTES/1024/1024 from v$datafile;
This query shows the sum of the database file sizes for an instance:

select sum(BYTES/1024/1024) from v$datafile;

Note: The preceding queries do not have information about the transaction log.

■ Get the size of the control file

This query retrieves the list of control files and their sizes (in MB), not including
the transaction log:
select NAME, BLOCK_SIZE*FILE_SIZE_BLKS/1024/1024 controlfile_size
from v$controlfile;

About linking Oracle RMAN with NetBackup for

UNIX
Before writing to a storage unit, link the Oracle database server software with the
NetBackup API library installed by NetBackup for Oracle. Oracle uses this library
when it needs to write to or read from the devices that NetBackup media manager
supports.
 Installing NetBackup for Oracle 39
About linking Oracle RMAN with NetBackup for UNIX

To link your Oracle software with the NetBackup API library, use one of the following
methods:
■ (Recommended) Use the SBT_LIBRARY parameter in the PARMS section of
the allocate channel in the RMAN script. In the run block of the RMAN script,
modify the ALLOCATE statement so that the SBT_LIBRARY parameter points
to the NetBackup API library. For example:

ALLOCATE CHANNEL CH00 TYPE 'SBT_TAPE' PARMS 'SBT_LIBRARY=

/usr/openv/netbackup/bin/libobk.so64.1';

■ Use the linking script that NetBackup provides.

■ Create the links manually.
The linking process differs depending on your hardware platform, your Oracle
database server release level, and your OS level. This topic does not address all
the supported combinations, but it specifies OS level differences.
The default location for the NetBackup API library is /usr/openv/netbackup/bin.
The name of the NetBackup API library differs depending on your platform.
Table 3-1 lists the library names for the supported platforms.

Table 3-1 NetBackup API libraries

Platform Oracle Library name

AIX 64-bit libobk.a64

HP Itanium 64-bit libobk.so

Linux x86 64-bit libobk.so64

IBM pSeries 64-bit libobk.so

IBM zSeries 64-bit libobk.so

Solaris (SPARC) 64-bit libobk.so.64.1

Solaris (x86) 64-bit libobk.so.1

Verifying environment variables and shutting down Oracle

The following procedure describes how to correctly define your environment variables
and how to shut down the Oracle database instances.
 Installing NetBackup for Oracle 40
About linking Oracle RMAN with NetBackup for UNIX

To verify environment variables and shutdown Oracle database instances

1 Make sure that your Oracle environment variables are defined.
Define the variables as follows:

ORACLE_HOME The directory path to the Oracle software location.

ORACLE_SID The name of the Oracle database instance.

2 Become the Oracle user.

su - oracle

3 Determine if you need to link or re-link the library with NetBackup.

See “Linking Oracle RMAN with NetBackup on UNIX platforms” on page 40.
4 If this installation is an upgrade and the SBT_LIBRARY parameter is not in
use, restart the Oracle database instance.

Linking Oracle RMAN with NetBackup on UNIX platforms

The procedures in this topic show how to link RMAN with NetBackup. The automatic
method is preferred. Use the manual method only if the link script fails or if you
receive Oracle messages to indicate that manual linking is required.
Link the library with NetBackup when you license NetBackup for Oracle for the first
time.
For more information about what Oracle database release that NetBackup for Oracle
supports, review the Application/Database Agent Compatibility List.
To automatically link Oracle RMAN with NetBackup
1 Run the oracle_link script that is located in /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/.
This script determines the Oracle version level and then links Oracle with the
NetBackup API library. This script writes output to /tmp/make_trace.<pid>. To
change the trace file location, change the MAKE_TRACE variable in the
oracle_link script.

2 If this installation is an upgrade, restart the Oracle database instance.

To manually link Oracle RMAN with NetBackup, follow the instructions in one of
the platform-specific sub-topics:
■ See “Manually linking AIX (64-bit)” on page 41.
■ See “Manually linking HP Itanium (64-bit)” on page 41.
■ See “Manually linking Linux x86 (64-bit)” on page 42.
 Installing NetBackup for Oracle 41
About linking Oracle RMAN with NetBackup for UNIX

■ See “Manually linking IBM pSeries or zSeries” on page 43.

■ See “Manually linking Solaris x86 (64-bit)” on page 44.
■ See “Manually linking Solaris SPARC (64-bit)” on page 44.

Manually linking AIX (64-bit)

To manually link AIX (64-bit)
1 Type the following cd command to change directories:

cd $ORACLE_HOME/lib

2 Type the following ls command to determine whether the Oracle library exists:

ls -l libobk.*

3 (Conditional) Use the mv command to move the Oracle library to an alternate

location.
Perform this step if the output from step 2 shows that libobk.a exists.
For example:

mv libobk.a libobk.a.orig

4 Type the following ln command to create a new link:

ln -s /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/libobk.a64 libobk.a

5 If you run into problems and cannot re-link Oracle with the NetBackup API
library, you can rollback what you have done. Enter the following:

cd $ORACLE_HOME/lib64
mv libobk.so.orig libobk.so

Manually linking HP Itanium (64-bit)

To manually link HP Itanium (64-bit)
1 Type the following cd command to change directories:

cd $ORACLE_HOME/lib

2 Type the following ls command to determine whether the Oracle library exists:

ls -l libobk.so
 Installing NetBackup for Oracle 42
About linking Oracle RMAN with NetBackup for UNIX

3 (Conditional) Use the mv command to move the Oracle library to an alternate

location.
Perform this step if the output from step 2 shows that libobk.so.
For example:

mv libobk.so libobk.so.orig

4 Type the following ln command to create new links:

ln -s /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/libobk.so libobk.so

5 If you run into problems and cannot re-link Oracle with the NetBackup API
library, you can rollback what you have done. Enter the following:

cd $ORACLE_HOME/lib64
mv libobk.so.orig libobk.so

Manually linking Linux x86 (64-bit)

To manually Linux x86 (64-bit)
1 Type the following cd command to change directories:

cd $ORACLE_HOME/lib

2 Type the following ls command to determine whether the Oracle library exists:

ls -l libobk.so

3 (Conditional) Use the mv command to move the Oracle library to an alternate

location.
Perform this step if the output from step 2 shows that libobk.so is present.
For example:

mv libobk.so libobk.so.orig
 Installing NetBackup for Oracle 43
About linking Oracle RMAN with NetBackup for UNIX

4 Type the following ln command to create a new link:

ln -s /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/libobk.so64 libobk.so

5 If you run into problems and cannot re-link Oracle with the NetBackup API
library, you can rollback what you have done. Enter the following:

cd $ORACLE_HOME/lib64
mv libobk.so.orig libobk.so

Manually linking IBM pSeries or zSeries

To link manually IBM pSeries or zSeries
1 Type the following cd command to change directories:

cd $ORACLE_HOME/lib

2 Type the following ls command to determine whether the Oracle library exists:

ls -l libobk.so

3 (Conditional) Use the mv command to move the Oracle library to an alternate

location.
Perform this step if the output from step 2 shows that libobk.so is present.
For example:

mv libobk.so libobk.so.orig

4 Type the following ln command to create a new link:

ln -s /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/libobk.so libobk.so

5 If you run into problems and cannot re-link Oracle with the NetBackup API
library, you can rollback what you have done. Enter the following:

cd $ORACLE_HOME/lib64
mv libobk.so.orig libobk.so
 Installing NetBackup for Oracle 44
About linking Oracle RMAN with NetBackup for UNIX

Manually linking Solaris x86 (64-bit)

To manually link Solaris x86 (64-bit)
1 Type the following cd command to change directories:

cd $ORACLE_HOME/lib

2 Type the following ls command to determine whether the Oracle library exists:

ls -l libobk.so

3 Use the mv command to move the Oracle library to an alternate location. Perform
this step if the output from step 2 shows that libobk.so is present.
For example:

mv libobk.so libobk.so.orig

4 Type the following ln command to create a new link:

ln -s /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/libobk.so.1 libobk.so

5 If you run into problems and cannot re-link Oracle with the NetBackup API
library, you can rollback what you have done. Enter the following:

cd $ORACLE_HOME/lib64
mv libobk.so.orig libobk.so

Manually linking Solaris SPARC (64-bit)

To manually link Solaris (64-bit)
1 Type the following cd command to change directories:

cd $ORACLE_HOME/lib

2 Type the following ls command to determine whether the Oracle library exists:

ls -l libobk.so
 Installing NetBackup for Oracle 45
About linking Oracle RMAN with NetBackup for UNIX

3 (Conditional) Use the mv command to move the Oracle library to an alternate

location.
Perform this step if the output from step 2 shows that libobk.so is present.
For example:

mv libobk.so libobk.so.orig

4 Type the following ln command to create a new link:

ln -s /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/libobk.so64.1 libobk.so

5 If you run into problems and cannot re-link Oracle with the NetBackup API
library, you can rollback what you have done. Enter the following:

cd $ORACLE_HOME/lib64
mv libobk.so.orig libobk.so
 Chapter 4
Oracle policy configuration
This chapter includes the following topics:

■ Preparing for NetBackup for Oracle configuration

■ Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)

■ About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

■ About script-based Oracle policies

■ Configuring the logon account for the NetBackup Client Service for NetBackup
for Oracle

■ Testing configuration settings for NetBackup for Oracle

Preparing for NetBackup for Oracle configuration

The major part of configuring NetBackup for Oracle is to create and configure the
Oracle policies. The following topics prepare you to configure NetBackup for Oracle
policies:
■ See “About Oracle policy configuration” on page 46.
■ See “ Oracle backup policy types” on page 48.
■ See “Configuring the logon account for the NetBackup Client Service for
NetBackup for Oracle” on page 110.
■ See “Configuring the Maximum jobs per client” on page 52.

About Oracle policy configuration

NetBackup offers two ways to configure an Oracle policy.
 Oracle policy configuration 47
Preparing for NetBackup for Oracle configuration

■ Oracle Intelligent Policies. This method lets you create a single policy to protect
multiple Oracle database instances that are spread over multiple clients. You
select Oracle database instances for a policy from a repository of instances that
are automatically discovered in the NetBackup environment. Among the features
that these policies provide is the ability to schedule frequent backups of archived
redo logs. These backups are accomplished in minutes instead of hours or days.
■ Script-based policies. This method lets you create an Oracle backup policy by
using a script that is based on a list of clients.
A backup policy for a database defines the backup criteria for a specific group of
instances (Oracle Intelligent Policy) or clients (script-based policy).
The Intelligent Oracle Policy includes the following criteria:
■ Storage unit and media to use
■ Policy attributes
■ Backup schedules. Automatic schedule and archive log schedule.
■ Instances to be backed up
■ Backup selections: Whole database, tablespaces, data files, FRA
The script-based policy includes the following criteria:
■ Storage unit and media to use
■ Policy attributes
■ Backup schedules: Automatic schedule and application schedule.
■ Clients to be backed up
■ Backup script files to be run on the clients
To back up the database environment, define at least one script-based Oracle policy
with the appropriate schedules and clients. Or, you can configure a single Oracle
Intelligent Policy that includes all instances.

Note: The Backup, Archive, and Restore GUI cannot be used for performing Oracle
backups and restores.

Most requirements for database policies are the same as for file system backups.
In addition to the policy attributes for Oracle, other attributes are available that you
should consider.
See the NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.
See “Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)” on page 53.
See “About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)” on page 67.
 Oracle policy configuration 48
Preparing for NetBackup for Oracle configuration

See “About policy attributes” on page 93.

See “Creating an Oracle policy” on page 31.

Oracle Home User permissions when NetBackup SAN Client is used

To use the NetBackup SAN Client to protect Oracle on Windows, the Oracle user
must have administrator privileges. Starting with Oracle Database 12c Release 1
(12.1), Oracle Database on Windows supports the use of Oracle Home User. The
Oracle Home User is specified at the time of Oracle Database installation and is
used to run the Windows services for the Oracle home. The Oracle Home User that
is used to run Windows services is similar to the Oracle user for Oracle Database
on Linux.
For more information, refer to the Oracle document "Supporting Oracle Home User
on Windows" at the following location:
http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E16655_01/win.121/e10714/oh_usr.htm
To use NetBackup SAN Client, make sure to select Use Windows Built-in Account
during Oracle Database installation. Making this selection enables the Windows
services for the Oracle home to run as LocalSystem or LocalService.

Oracle backup policy types

Table 4-1 shows the Oracle backup policy types you can specify.

Table 4-1 Oracle backup types

Backup type Description

Application Backup – The Application Backup schedule enables user-controlled

Script-based policy using NetBackup operations from the client. These operations
streamed data only include those initiated from the client and those initiated by
an automatic schedule on the master server. NetBackup uses
the Application Backup schedule when the user starts a
backup manually. Configure at least one Application Backup
schedule for each database policy. The
Default-Application-Backup schedule is configured
automatically as an Application Backup schedule.
 Oracle policy configuration 49
Preparing for NetBackup for Oracle configuration

Table 4-1 Oracle backup types (continued)

Backup type Description

Full Backup – Script-based Stream-based backup: The specified script in the Backup
policy Selections tab is executed. If the script is set up properly,
RMAN initiates a full stream-based backup (full or incremental
level 0).
Note: The Application Backup schedule properties (For
example: storage and retention) are used.

RMAN proxy backup: The specified script in the Backup

Selections tab is executed. If the script is set up properly,
RMAN initiates a proxy backup.
Note: The Full Backup schedule properties (For example:
storage and retention) are used for the proxy portion of the
backup. The Application Backup schedule properties (For
example: storage and retention) are used for the streamed
portion of the backup.

Differential Incremental Stream-based backup: The specified script in the Backup

backup – Script-based policy Selections tab is executed. If the script is set up properly,
RMAN initiates a stream-based incremental level 1 backup.
Note: The Application Backup schedule properties
(storage, retention, etc.) are used.

RMAN proxy backup: This backup type should only be used

for BLI backups. If you do not use a proxy backup for a BLI
backup, then a Full Backup schedule should be used. The
specified script in the Backup Selections tab is executed.
If the script is set up properly, RMAN initiates a proxy backup.
Note: The Differential Incremental Backup schedule
properties (storage, retention, etc.) are used for the proxy
portion of the backup. The Application Backup schedule
properties (storage, retention, etc.) are used for the streamed
portion of the backup.
 Oracle policy configuration 50
Preparing for NetBackup for Oracle configuration

Table 4-1 Oracle backup types (continued)

Backup type Description

Cumulative Incremental Stream-based backup: The specified script in the Backup

backup – Script-based policy Selections tab is executed. If the script is set up properly,
RMAN initiates a stream-based incremental level 1 cumulative
backup.
Note: The Application Backup schedule properties
(storage, retention, etc.) are used.

RMAN proxy backup: This backup type should only be used

for BLI backups. If you do not use a proxy backup for a BLI
backup, then a Full Backup schedule should be used. The
specified script in the Backup Selections tab is executed.
If the script is set up properly, RMAN initiates a proxy backup.
Note: The Cumulative Incremental Backup schedule
properties (storage, retention, etc.) are used for the proxy
portion of the backup. The Application Backup schedule
properties (storage, retention, etc.) are used for the streamed
portion of the backup.

Full Backup – OIP Policy Stream-based backup: Dynamically generates an RMAN

script on each client for the instances and or instance groups
that are defined in the Instances and Databases tab. The
script initiates an Incremental Full (INCREMENTAL LEVEL
0) backup.

RMAN proxy backup (Policy is defined to perform a

snapshot): Dynamically generates an RMAN script on each
client for the instances and or instance groups that are
defined in the Instances and Databases tab to initiate a
proxy backup.
Note: The Full Backup schedule properties (storage,
retention, etc.) are used for both the streamed and the proxy
data.
 Oracle policy configuration 51
Preparing for NetBackup for Oracle configuration

Table 4-1 Oracle backup types (continued)

Backup type Description

Differential Incremental Stream-based backup: Dynamically generates an RMAN

backup – OIP Policy script on each client for the instances and or instance groups
that are defined in the Instances and Databases tab. The
script initiates a Differential Incremental (INCREMENTAL
LEVEL 1) backup.

RMAN proxy backup (policy is defined to perform a snapshot):

■ The policy has Perform block level incremental

backups selected. An RMAN script is dynamically
generated on each client for the instances and or instance
groups that are defined in the Instances and Databases
tab to initiate a proxy backup.
■ The policy does not have Perform block level
incremental backups selected. An RMAN script is
dynamically generated on each client for the instances
and or instance groups that are defined in the Instances
and Databases tab. A Differential Incremental
(INCREMENTAL LEVEL 1) stream-based backup is
initiated.

Note: The Differential Incremental Backup schedule

properties (storage, retention, etc.) are used for both the
streamed and the proxy data.
 Oracle policy configuration 52
Preparing for NetBackup for Oracle configuration

Table 4-1 Oracle backup types (continued)

Backup type Description

Cumulative Incremental Stream-based backup: Dynamically generates an RMAN

backup – OIP Policy script on each client for the instances and or instance groups
that are defined in the Instances and Databases tab. The
script initiates a Cumulative Incremental (INCREMENTAL
LEVEL 1 CUMULATIVE) backup.

RMAN proxy backup (Policy is defined to perform a

snapshot):

■ The policy has Perform block level incremental

backups selected. An RMAN script is dynamically
generated on each client for the instances and or instance
groups that are defined in the Instances and Databases
tab to initiate a proxy backup.
■ The policy does not have Perform block level
incremental backups selected. An RMAN script is
dynamically generated on each client for the instances
and or instance groups that are defined in the Instances
and Databases tab. A Cumulative Incremental
(INCREMENTAL LEVEL 1 CUMULATIVE) stream-based
backup is initiated.

Note: The Cumulative incremental backup schedule

properties (storage, retention, etc.) are used for both the
streamed and the proxy data.

Archived redo log backup – The policy dynamically generates an RMAN script on each
OIP Policy Only client for the instances and or instance groups that are
defined in the Instances and Databases tab. The policy
initiates a stream-based archive redo log backup.
Note: The frequency is granular down to intervals of minutes.

See “Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)” on page 53.
See “About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)” on page 67.

Configuring the Maximum jobs per client

The following procedure shows how to set the Maximum jobs per client attribute.
 Oracle policy configuration 53
Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)

To configure the maximum jobs per client

1 In the left pane of the NetBackup Administration Console, expand NetBackup
Management > Host Properties.
2 Select Master Server.
3 In the right pane, double-click the server icon.
4 Click Global Attributes.
5 Change the Maximum jobs per client value to 99.
The Maximum jobs per client specifies the maximum number of concurrent
backups that are allowed per client. The default is 1.
You can use the following formula to calculate a smaller value for the Maximum
jobs per client setting:
See “About policy attributes” on page 93.

Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent

Policy (OIP)
The NetBackup Discovery Service runs on all clients in the environment and reports
to the master server when it finds instances of applications. This service helps you
to build an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP) by finding Oracle instances and displaying
them in the NetBackup Administration Console and the Instances and
Databases tab. When NetBackup is installed, the service checks the local client
host for Oracle database instances and also checks periodically after installation
(every 4 hours). Instance management collects the discovered instances in an
instance repository. The user can access this repository on the NetBackup
Administration Console or by using the nboraadm command.
DBAs can run nboraadm on a NetBackup client if the backup administrator enables
access to nboraadm by running the following command on the master server:

# nboraadm -add_dba <client_name> <user_name>

See the nboraadm description in the NetBackup Commands Reference Guide.

All instances that you want backed up as part of an Oracle Intelligent Policy must
be registered with credentials. Instance management lets you assign credentials
to individual instances as well as instance groups. The instances in an instance
group share the same set of credentials. You can direct the discovery service to
assign the new instances that it discovers to an instance group. The Oracle database
user is required to have a certain level of credentials. The Oracle database user
must have SYSBACKUP or SYSDBA privileges (based on version of Oracle).
 Oracle policy configuration 54
Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)

Note: Once an instance is associated with an Oracle RAC database, it no longer

shows up as a single instance. The instance does show up if the instance was
registered before it was associated with the Oracle RAC database. The instance
is removed from the NetBackup Administrator’s Console once it’s associated with
an Oracle RAC unless it was previously registered.

See “About the NetBackup Discovery Service” on page 54.

See “Manually adding an Oracle database instance to the repository” on page 57.
See “Registering an Oracle database instance” on page 60.
See “Creating an Oracle database instance group” on page 29.
See “About Oracle database instance groups” on page 63.
See “Adding an instance to an instance group” on page 63.
See “Automatic Registration of an instance group” on page 64.
See “About instance actions” on page 66.
See “About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)” on page 67.
See “Oracle database upgrade effect on Oracle Intelligent Policies” on page 72.

About the NetBackup Discovery Service

The NetBackup Discovery Service (nbdisco) discovers Oracle database instances
throughout the NetBackup environment. The discovery service reports to the master
server when it finds instances of applications to help you build an Oracle Intelligent
Policy. The service polls the clients upon NetBackup installation and periodically
after installation (every 4 hours). Instance management collects the discovered
instances in an instance repository. The user can access this repository on the
NetBackup Administration Console or by using the nboraadm command.
By default, this service is enabled to report instances. However, you can use the
REPORT_CLIENT_DISCOVERIES client configuration entry to shut down or restart the
service on a particular client. By default, REPORT_CLIENT_DISCOVERIES is not present
in the Windows registry or the UNIX bp.conf file.
The NetBackup Discovery Service searches for instances and databases in different
areas where Oracle is installed. The following areas are where the Discovery Service
searches:
■ Non-RAC Single instances are discovered by searching the oratab file on UNIX
and from the registry on Windows.
■ NetBackup looks for the Oracle health check files that are found in the Oracle
home. These are not cleaned up when a database is deleted. You may need
 Oracle policy configuration 55
Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)

to delete them manually otherwise NetBackup can continue to find the databases
that are deleted.
■ Oracle RAC databases are discovered when NetBackup queries the Oracle
Cluster Ready Services (CRS) in the Oracle Clusterware high availability API.
To change the default setting, use bpsetconfig to add or change the entry:
■ In the Windows registry.
■ In the /usr/openv/netbackup/bp.conf file on UNIX.
Use the following format: REPORT_CLIENT_DISCOVERIES = TRUE | FALSE
Set REPORT_CLIENT_DISCOVERIES to FALSE to shut down the discovery service.
The service shuts down within 10 minutes and remains down on the client. To turn
on the discovery service on that client, set REPORT_CLIENT_DISCOVERIES to TRUE
or remove the entire entry. Then run bp.start_all on the client to restart the
service.
To set this value on a client remotely, run the following command from the master
server:
echo REPORT_CLIENT_DISCOVERIES=FALSE | bpsetconfig -h clientname

See “Manually adding an Oracle database instance to the repository” on page 57.
See “Registering an Oracle database instance” on page 60.
See “About instance actions” on page 66.
See “Viewing the Oracle database instance repository” on page 55.

Viewing the Oracle database instance repository

You can view a complete list of all Oracle database instances. In the NetBackup
Administration Console, in the left pane, expand the Applications node, then
expand the Oracle node. The two items under the Oracle node are Instances and
Instance Groups.
When you click All Instances, the following is an example of the instance list in
the right pane.
 Oracle policy configuration 56
Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)

You can click on one of the instances to select it for an operation. You can also
select multiple instances for an operation with the following exceptions:
■ You can select only one instance at a time to view properties.
■ You can register multiple instances simultaneously only if the OS type is the
same (UNIX or Windows).
The instances are listed with the following column information:

Instance Name The instance name (ORACLE_SID).

State The current state of the instance. Possible values are:

■ Blank - The instance is not yet registered and cannot be

protected using an Intelligent Oracle Policy.
■ Active - Credentials have been provided for the instance. An
Intelligent Oracle Policy can protect the instance.
■ Inactive - If the instance is added to a policy, it is not included
in the backup. An administrator can inactivate an instance to
take it offline (for example, for upgrades).

Host Specifies the host where the Oracle database resides.

OS Type Specifies the operating system of the host. Valid values are
Windows and UNIX.

ORACLE_HOME The file path of the Oracle home directory where the instance
resides.

TNS_ADMIN Specifies the location of the network administration directory on

the client system if this directory is not in the default location.
Consult your Oracle documentation for the default location of the
network administration directory on the client system.

Instance Group Specifies the Oracle database instance group name that this
instance is part of. This field is blank if the instance does not belong
to an instance group.
 Oracle policy configuration 57
Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)

Registered Specifies the date and time when a user registered a set of
credentials for this instance. This field is blank if the instance has
not been given credentials.

Policies The names of the policies that the instance has been assigned to.

Manually adding an Oracle database instance to the repository

New instances the instance discovery system finds on the clients are automatically
added to the repository. However, you may need to add an instance manually. For
example, you do not want to wait for the discovery service to discover the new
instance.

Note: If necessary, contact the Oracle database administrator for the correct set
of credentials. The DBA can also manually add the instance if the DBA is not willing
or allowed to share the credentials with the backup administrator. The DBA can
manually add the instance using the nboraadm command on the client. The Oracle
database user is required to have a certain level of credentials. The Oracle database
user must have SYSBACKUP or SYSDBA privileges (based on version of Oracle).

To manually add an Oracle database instance to the repository

1 In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, expand NetBackup
Management > Applications > Oracle.
2 Click All Instances. All instances in the repository are listed in the right pane.
3 Right-click All Instances and select New instance to display the following:
 Oracle policy configuration 58
Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)

4 Fill in the Instance Name, Host, and ORACLE_HOME parameters. Click Help
to display descriptions of these parameters. For example:

5 (Conditional) Use the Override Default TNS_ADMIN Path if you need to

override the default network administration directory on the client system. Enter
the fully qualified path for the network administration directory on this host.
Click Help to display a description of the parameter. Example of the parameter:
 Oracle policy configuration 59
Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)

6 Click Edit.

7 In the Register Instance dialog box, click Use Instance Credentials.

8 Enter the instance credentials using one of the options:
■ OS authentication only
■ Oracle authentication only
■ Oracle and OS authentication
■ Oracle Wallet

9 (Optional) You can also click Use Oracle RMAN Recovery Catalog to enter
credentials for the RMAN recovery catalog.
10 Click Ok.
The system tries to validate the credentials, report its findings, and return you to
the Change Instance dialog box. Validation can fail for multiple reasons and a
pop-up displays the error message. Click OK to save the credentials as entered. If
you want to enter the credentials again, you can click Cancel and re-enter the
credentials. If you save the credentials that caused the error, the instance is saved
 Oracle policy configuration 60
Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)

in the repository. You can edit the instance at a later time to correct the validation
issue.
See “Registering an Oracle database instance” on page 60.
See “Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)” on page 53.
See “Creating an Oracle database instance group” on page 29.

Registering an Oracle database instance

The NetBackup Discovery Service discovers Oracle database instances on the
local client host. The service reports to the master server upon startup and every
4 hours thereafter. The master server collects the discovered instances in an
instance repository. The user accesses the repository on the NetBackup
Administration Console or by running the nboraadm command.
See the nboraadm description in the NetBackup Commands Reference Guide.
Use the following procedure to register an Oracle database instance that the
discovery service adds to the instance list.
To register an Oracle database instance
1 In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, expand NetBackup
Management > Applications > Oracle.
2 Click All Instances. The right pane displays a list of instances. Instances that
have previously been registered show a date and time in the Registered
column.
 Oracle policy configuration 61
Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)

3 Double-click the instance that you want to register. The Edit Instance dialog
box appears. For example, you can select ORAC13 to display the following:

You can select multiple instances to register at the same time.

4 (Conditional) Use the Override Default TNS_ADMIN Path if you need to
override the default network administration directory on the client system. Enter
the fully qualified path for the network administration directory on this host.
Click Help to display a description of the parameter. Example of the parameter:
 Oracle policy configuration 62
Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)

5 In the Credential area, click Edit to display the Register Instance dialog box.
For example:

6 In the Register Instance dialog box, click Use Instance Credentials.

The Oracle database user is required to have a certain level of credentials.
The Oracle database user must have SYSBACKUP or SYSDBA privileges (based
on version of Oracle).
7 In the Instance credentials area of the window, select one of the three
authentication options:
■ OS authentication only
■ Oracle authentication only
■ Oracle and OS authentication
■ Oracle Wallet
If you use the Oracle authentication only option you must enter specific
Oracle credentials. You may need to contact the Oracle DBA for the correct
credentials. The system tries to validate the credentials and reports its findings
 Oracle policy configuration 63
Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)

8 (Optional) Click Oracle RMAN recovery catalog credentials to enter

credentials for the RMAN recovery catalog. Then click OK to save the
credentials. TheEdit Instance dialog box reappears.
9 In the right pane of the Applications dialog, check the Registered column to
see that the instance is now registered.
10 Repeat for all other instances that you want registered.
See “Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)” on page 53.
See “Creating an Oracle database instance group” on page 29.
See “About instance actions” on page 66.

About Oracle database instance groups

Instance groups can be a major time saver when you create Oracle policies.
■ You can configure an instance group to automatically add newly discovered
database instances to the group.
■ You need only enter a set of credentials once. The Oracle database user is
required to have a certain level of credentials. The Oracle database user must
have SYSBACKUP or SYSDBA privileges (based on version of Oracle). Thereafter,
all discovered instances can be automatically assigned the same set of
credentials, registering instances on the fly.
■ With the selection of an instance group, you can create a single policy that backs
up and restores hundreds and even thousands of instances.
See “Creating an Oracle database instance group” on page 29.

Adding an instance to an instance group

You can add an instance to an instance group by using the NetBackup Administration
Console or by running the nboraadm command.
See the nboraadm description in the NetBackup Commands Reference Guide.
Note that you may have already registered an instance individually. When you add
it to an instance group, its credentials are automatically changed to the group
credentials.
To add an instance to an instance group
1 In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, expand NetBackup
Management > Applications > Oracle.
2 Click All Instances to display all instances in the right pane.
 Oracle policy configuration 64
Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)

3 Select the instance that you want to be a member of an instance group. You
can select multiple instances from the list.
4 On the Actions menu, select Register. The Register Instance dialog appears.
For example:

5 On the Instance Group pulldown menu, select the desired instance group
(InstanceGroup1 in the example).
6 Click OK. A Validation Report dialog box appears that describes the validation
successes and failures.
See “About Oracle database instance groups” on page 63.
See “Creating an Oracle database instance group” on page 29.
See “Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)” on page 53.
See “Registering an Oracle database instance” on page 60.

Automatic Registration of an instance group

The Oracle Discovery Service brings newly discovered instances into the instance
repository. Auto Registration is a mechanism that allows a discovered instance to
be brought into the repository as a member of an instance group. The instance
assumes the credentials of the group and is automatically registered.
 Oracle policy configuration 65
Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)

To auto-register an instance group

1 In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, expand NetBackup
Management > Applications > Oracle.
2 Click Instance Groups, then on the Actions menu, select Auto Registration.
The following dialog box appears:

3 In the Automatic Registration dialog box, click the Automatically register

newly discovered instances. Then select the desired instance group from
the pulldown menu.
4 (Conditional) Use the Override default Unix TNS_ADMIN path and or the
Override default Windows TNS_ADMIN path if you need to override the
default network administration directory on the client system. Enter the fully
qualified path for the correct operating system. You can automatically register
instances in Windows, UNIX, or a combination of both operating systems. The
following dialog box shows an example of this parameter:
 Oracle policy configuration 66
Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)

5 Click OK to return to the Instances display. All newly discovered instances

are automatically added to the specified instance group and registered with
the group credentials.
6 A validation report shows if the instances passed or failed. Do one of the
following:
■ Click OK to save the credentials anyway. The instance is added to the
instance list. However, instances with invalidated credentials cannot be
selected as part of an Oracle policy. Their backups fail with a 54xx status
error.
■ Click Cancel to go back and change the credentials.

See “Adding an instance to an instance group” on page 63.

See “Registering an Oracle database instance” on page 60.
See “Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)” on page 53.

About instance actions

The Actions menu contains several operations that you can perform on the
instances in the repository. Another way to perform these actions is to highlight the
desired instance or instance group, then right-click and select the operation from
the shortcut menu.
Table 4-2 describes the actions or operations that you can perform on Oracle
database instances.

Table 4-2 Instance actions

Action Description

New instance To create a new instance, select Actions > New > Instance. A New Instance dialog
box appears. Enter the instance properties (instance name, host, ORACLE_HOME,
and credentials).

See “Manually adding an Oracle database instance to the repository” on page 57.

New Instance Group To create a new instance group, select Actions > New > Instance Group. A New
Instance Group dialog box appears.

See “About Oracle database instance groups” on page 63.

Properties To display instance or instance group properties, highlight the desired item. Then select
Actions > Properties. The Edit Instance appears where you change the instance
properties (instance name, host, ORACLE_HOME, override default TNS_admin path,
and credentials).
 Oracle policy configuration 67
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

Table 4-2 Instance actions (continued)

Action Description

Register To register an instance, highlight the instance, then select Actions > Register. The
Register Instance dialog box appears. Change credentials for the selected item.

See “Registering an Oracle database instance” on page 60.

See “Adding an instance to an instance group” on page 63.

Delete To delete an instance or an instance group from the instances repository list, highlight
the item to be deleted, then select Actions > Delete.

You cannot delete an instance or an instance group that is part of a policy. First, use
the Instances and Databases tab to delete the instance from the policy. Then, in the
instances repository list, highlight the instance to be deleted, then select Actions >
Delete.

Auto Registration To automatically register newly discovered instances as part of an instance group,
highlight Instances in the left pane, then select Actions > Auto Registration.

See “Automatic Registration of an instance group” on page 64.

Clean up instances This option lets you configure NetBackup to automatically clear orphaned instances
from instance management. Orphaned instances are the databases that were
discovered at one time but were never registered.

To enable instance cleanup, select Clean up After. Next, select how often (days) that
you want NetBackup to perform instance cleanup.
Note: If instance cleanup is enabled and auto registration activated, cleaned up
instances may be rediscovered and added to the auto registration group.

About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

The Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP) feature is a method of Oracle policy backup
based on Oracle database instances or RAC databases. This method precludes
the need to create a script for your Oracle policies. The OIP feature has the following
elements:
■ You can create a single policy to protect multiple Oracle database instances or
RAC databases that are spread over multiple clients.
■ An Oracle instance discovery service automatically polls the clients throughout
the NetBackup environment every five minutes. The service collects the
discovered instances in an instance repository. The user can view the instances
on the NetBackup Administration Console or by using the nboraadm command.
 Oracle policy configuration 68
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

■ All instances that you want backed up must be registered with credentials. If
multiple instances share the same credentials, you can create an instance group
for the set of instances with common credentials.
■ Multiple instance groups can be created for different sets of instances with
different credentials. You can create a default instance group for newly
discovered instances to be automatically added to the group, ensuring that new
instances are protected.
■ The database administrator can control all instances and instance group
credentials using the nboraadm command on the NetBackup client, which
provides improved security throughout the system.
■ You are not required to know RMAN or to write RMAN scripts. Instead, this
feature automatically generates the scripts at run-time.
■ The Job Details in the Activity Monitor lets you view the backup summary,
database state, RMAN input, and RMAN output for the OIP. Also, the Activity
Monitor includes a new Instances column that shows the instance that the
associated policy has backed up.
■ Enhanced error codes enable faster identification, troubleshooting, and correction
of problems. You can easily restart a failed job.
■ You no longer need to create an application backup schedule. You only need
to create automatic backup schedules for the data movement, which simplifies
how retention works on the backup pieces.
■ You can manually back up any number of instances or all the instances.
■ The OIP automatically selects parameter settings at run-time that enable optimal
deduplication.
■ You can create a new archived log schedule that backs up the archived redo
logs within intervals of minutes.
■ The Oracle Intelligent Policy can protect an Oracle database when the Oracle
DBA places database backups in the share on a NetBackup appliance.
■ The OIP can create and maintain a full set of data file copies in the share on a
NetBackup appliance. The Accelerator option is used to update the data file
copies using only the changed blocks since the last full backup.
■ Oracle 12c has introduced container databases (CDB) and pluggable databases
(PDB) and they can be protected using the OIP.
■ You can create bpstart_notify and bpend_notify scripts for an OIP. An OIP
ignores the generic bpstart_notify and bpend_notify scripts and they do
not work for a non-OIP.
 Oracle policy configuration 69
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

Note: For RAC OIP backups the bpstart_notify and the bpend_notify scripts
must reside on all Oracle RAC nodes.

Oracle DBAs can use the nboraadm command on the NetBackup client to manage
instances, instance groups, and their credentials. This command is particularly
useful in environments where the Oracle credentials are known only by the DBAs
and not the NetBackup administrators.
The Oracle DBA can use the nboraadm command to start an immediate backup
from the client if the NetBackup administrator has given the Oracle DBA proper
permissions. The nboraadm command allows the Oracle DBA to immediately protect
an Oracle database backup instead of waiting for the NetBackup schedule to protect
the database backup. Use nboraadm command with the –immediate option to start
a database backup.
You can select Oracle database instances and instance groups to be part of an
Oracle backup policy. An Oracle backup policy can be created for the default
instance group to ensure that all newly created instances are automatically protected.
You can create an OIP in the following ways:
■ The Policy Configuration Wizard of the NetBackup Administration Console: The
wizard guides you through the setup process by automatically choosing the best
values for most configurations.
■ The Oracle Policy utility on the NetBackup Administration Console: The Oracle
Policy utility is a set of five tabbed panels. The panels contain all the settings
and parameters that are needed to create or change an OIP.
See “Creating an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)” on page 69.
See “About policy attributes” on page 93.
See “Instances and Databases tab” on page 77.
See “Backup Selections tab” on page 79.
See “Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)” on page 53.
See “About Oracle database instance groups” on page 63.

Creating an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)

This topic guides you through the steps for setting up an Oracle Intelligent Policy
(OIP) using the NetBackup Administration Console. An OIP is used with Oracle
CDB and PDB databases, Oracle Copilot, and regular Oracle database instance
backups. This method precludes the need to create scripts for your Oracle policies.
 Oracle policy configuration 70
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

Table 4-3 Steps for creating an OIP

Steps Task Instructions

Step 1 Register Oracle NetBackup automatically discovers Oracle instances and

instances. displays them in the instance repository. An instance must
be registered in order for that instance to be included in an
OIP.

See “Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy

(OIP)” on page 53.

See “About the NetBackup Discovery Service” on page 54.

See “Manually adding an Oracle database instance to the

repository” on page 57.

See “Registering an Oracle database instance” on page 60.

Step 2 (Conditional) Instance groups are for instances with common credentials.
Create Oracle Add an instance to a group to register that instance. This
instance group. step is not required to create an OIP.

See “About Oracle database instance groups” on page 63.

See “Adding an instance to an instance group” on page 63.

See “Automatic Registration of an instance group”

on page 64.

Step 3 Add new policy In the left pane of the NetBackup Administration Console,
and policy name. expand NetBackup Management > Policies.

Select Action > New > Policy or right-click on All Policies

in the center pane and click New Policy on the shortcut
menu. Enter a unique name in the Policy name: dialog box
and click OK.

See “ Oracle backup policy types” on page 48.

Step 4 Configure the In the Policy Type pull-down menu, select Oracle. This
Attributes tab. action causes the tabs along the top of the display to change
to a unique Oracle tab set.

For information on the Attributes tab, see the NetBackup

Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.
The Use Accelerator option has a different function when
used with an OIP. This option is automatically selected when
certain options in the Backup Selections tab are set during
Oracle Copilot configuration.

See “About using a NetBackup appliance share for Oracle

backups (Oracle Copilot)” on page 86.
 Oracle policy configuration 71
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

Table 4-3 Steps for creating an OIP (continued)

Steps Task Instructions

Step 5 Configure the The schedules that are defined on the Schedules tab
Schedules tab. determine when backups occur for an OIP.

For information on the Schedules tab, see the NetBackup

Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.

Step 6 Configure the Select the instances or the instance groups that the OIP will
Instances and back up. An OIP must include either the Protect Instances
Databases tab. and Databases or the Protect instance groups option.

See “Instances and Databases tab” on page 77.

Step 7 Configure the You can backup the Whole database, Partial database -
Backup Tablespaces, Partial database - Datafiles, Fast Recovery
Selections tab. Area (FRA), Database Backup Shares, or the Whole
Database - Datafile Copy Share.

See “Backup Selections tab” on page 79.

See “Configuring an OIP using a share on the NetBackup

appliance (Oracle Copilot)” on page 88.

Step 8 Configure the The tab contains setup options for databases, tablespaces,
Oracle tab. data files, archived redo logs, file name formats, and database
backup shares.

See “Oracle tab” on page 81.

 Oracle policy configuration 72
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

Table 4-3 Steps for creating an OIP (continued)

Steps Task Instructions

Step 9 (Optional) Create Create bpstart_notify and bpend_notify scripts for

bpstart_notify an OIP. The scripts only work with the Protect Instances
and and Databases or Protect instance groups selections.
bpend_notify
For an OIP, the scripts must include the .policyname or
scripts
.policyname.schedule suffix or the script does not run
at the start or end of the policy. An OIP ignores the generic
bpstart_notify and bpend_notify scripts and the
scripts do not work for a non-OIP.
The generic bpstart_notify or bpend_notify scripts reside
on the server and the location varies by platform:

■ UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/goodies/
■ Windows: Install_path/NetBackup/bin/goodies/
The renamed script must be copied from the server and
placed in the NetBackup bin directory on the client:

■ UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/
■ Windows: Install_path\NetBackup\bin\
Examples of renamed scripts:

■ UNIX:
/usr/openv/netbackup/bin/bpstart_notify.oip_instance1
or
/usr/openv/netbackup/bin/bpend_notify.oip_instance2.full
■ Windows:
install_path\NetBackup\bin\bpstart_notify.oip_instance1.bat
or
install_path\NetBackup\bin\bpend_notify.oip_instance2.full.bat

For more information about the bpstart_notify and

bpend_notify scripts, refer to the NetBackup
Administrator’s Guide, Volume II.

Oracle database upgrade effect on Oracle Intelligent Policies

Upgrade of an Oracle database causes instance information for the upgraded
database to become invalid. If this instance is associated with one or more current
NetBackup for Oracle Intelligent Policies, run-time failures can occur. The issue
occurs when an Oracle database is upgraded to a new version. The new version
is likely to have a different ORACLE_HOME, ORACLE_SID, or Oracle User. If any
of these values have changed, the existing instance information in the NetBackup
instance repository and in the current Oracle Intelligent Policies becomes invalid.
 Oracle policy configuration 73
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

When the discovery service (nbdisco) polls the clients again, it discovers the
database as a new instance. Consequently, there is no way to associate the new
instance to the old instance.
This issue is not version-specific and can affect any valid Oracle upgrade patch,
such as:
■ Oracle 10 to version 11
■ Oracle 10 to version 12
■ Oracle 11 to version 12
For more information on valid Oracle upgrade paths, review the following
documentation on the Oracle Support website:
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/database/upgrade/
upgrading-oracle-database-wp-12c-1896123.pdf
Therefore, when an existing Oracle database is upgraded and the ORACLE_HOME,
ORACLE_SID, or Oracle User are modified, remove the existing instance in the
instance repository. After the existing instance is removed, update the instance
repository with the new instance information. Make sure to update any policies with
the newly-discovered instances.
See “About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)” on page 67.
See “Instance management for an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)” on page 53.

Configuring NetBackup for Oracle automatic backup schedules

Each policy has an automatic backup schedule. These schedules initiate automatic
backups and specify when a user can initiate operations.
To configure an automatic backup schedule
1 On the Policy dialog box, click the Schedules tab.
2 Click New.
3 Specify a unique name for the schedule.
4 Select the Type of backup.
5 Specify the other properties for the schedule.
See “About schedule properties ” on page 93.
6 Click OK.
 Oracle policy configuration 74
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

About NetBackup for Oracle schedule properties using Oracle

Intelligent Policy
This topic describes the schedule properties that have a different meaning for Oracle
Intelligent Policy backups than for file system backups. Other schedule properties
vary according to your specific backup strategy and system configuration. Additional
information about other schedule properties is available.
See the NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.

Table 4-4 Description of schedule properties

Property Description

Type of backup Specifies the type of backup that this schedule can control. The selection list shows only
the backup types that apply to the policy you want to configure.

See “ Oracle backup policy types” on page 48.

Schedule type You can schedule a backup in one of the following ways:

■ Frequency
This setting is used only for scheduled backups. It is not used for user-directed backups.
Frequency specifies the period of time that can elapse until the next backup or archive
operation begins on this schedule. For example, assume that the frequency is 7 days
and a successful backup occurs on Wednesday. The next full backup does not occur
until the following Wednesday. Typically, incremental backups have a shorter frequency
than full backups.
■ Calendar
This setting is used only for scheduled backups. It is not used for user-directed backups.
The Calendar option lets you schedule the backup operations that are based on specific
dates, recurring week days, or recurring days of the month.
 Oracle policy configuration 75
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

Table 4-4 Description of schedule properties (continued)

Property Description

Retention Specifies a retention period to keep backup copies of files before they are deleted. The
retention period for an automatic schedule controls how long NetBackup keeps records of
when scheduled backups occurred. Set the time period to retain at least two full backups
of your database. In this way, if one full backup is lost, you have another full backup to
restore.
The type of schedule you select affects the retention period as follows:

■ Frequency-based scheduling
Set a retention period that is longer than the frequency setting for the schedule. For
example, if the frequency setting is set to one week, set the retention period to be at
least 2 weeks. The NetBackup scheduler compares the latest record of the automatic
backup schedule to the frequency of that automatic backup schedule. This comparison
is done to determine whether a backup is due. So if you set the retention period to expire
the record too early, the scheduled backup frequency is unpredictable. However, if you
set the retention period to be longer than necessary, the NetBackup catalog accumulates
unnecessary records.
Oracle is not notified when NetBackup expires a backup image. Use Oracle RMAN
repository maintenance commands to periodically delete expired backup sets from the
Oracle RMAN repository.
■ Calendar-based scheduling
The retention period setting is not significant for calendar-based scheduling.

Multiple copies If you want to specify multiple copies of a backup for the policy, configure Multiple copies
on the application backup schedule.

Accelerator forced This option instructs NetBackup to re-copy all the data files to the share. This option is only
rescan available when Whole Database - Datafile Copy Share is selected in the Backup
Selections tab and the Use Accelerator option is selected in the Attributes tab.

This option forces the creation of a new set of database data file copies. When this option
is not selected, the data file copies in the share are updated using an incremental backup.
The incremental backup contains only the changed blocks since the last full backup.

Oracle Intelligent Policy - Storage and Retention

This topic describes storage and retention properties of the Oracle Intelligent Policy.
See the NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.
 Oracle policy configuration 76
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

Table 4-5 Storage and retention behavior

Property Description

Policy is a snapshot type If the policy is a snapshot type, the following are the possible scenarios of the retention
behavior:

■ If the schedule does not override the policy storage unit, and the policy storage unit
is a non-snapshot SLP, the SLP determines the retention period and the policy
uses the policy storage unit.
■ If the schedule does not override the policy storage unit and the policy storage unit
is not an SLP, the schedule determines the retention period, and the policy uses
the policy storage unit.
■ If the schedule does override the policy storage unit with an SLP, and it is not a
snapshot SLP, the override storage unit takes precedence over the policy storage
unit, and the SLP determines the retention period.
■ If the schedule overrides the policy storage unit with a snapshot SLP, the policy
storage unit must be a non-snapshot SLP. The SLP on the policy storage unit
determines the retention period for the streamed data. Also, the SLP on the schedule
determines the retention for the snapshot data.

Policy is not a snapshot If the policy is not a snapshot type, the following are the possible scenarios of the
type retention behavior:

■ If the schedule does not override the policy storage unit and the policy storage unit
is not an SLP, the schedule determines the retention period.
■ If the schedule does not override the policy storage unit and the policy storage unit
is an SLP, the SLP determines the retention period.
■ If the schedule overrides the policy storage unit, and the schedule storage unit is
not an SLP, the schedule determines the retention period.
■ If the schedule overrides the policy storage unit and the schedule storage unit is
an SLP, the SLP determines the retention period.

The following are examples of the Oracle Intelligent Policy storage and retention
behavior for snapshot-based policy types.

Policy storage Schedule storage Streamed data Snapshot data

retention is retention is
derived from: derived from:

AdvancedDisk - Schedule Schedule

AdvancedDisk SLP SLP SLP

SLP - SLP SLP

Tape library - Schedule Schedule

 Oracle policy configuration 77
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

Policy storage Schedule storage Streamed data Snapshot data

retention is retention is
derived from: derived from:

Non-Snapshot SLP Snapshot SLP Non-Snapshot SLP Snapshot SLP

AdvancedDisk Snapshot SLP Invalid configuration Invalid configuration

The following are examples of the Oracle Intelligent Policy storage and retention
behavior for stream-based policy types.

Policy storage Schedule storage Streamed data retention

is derived from:

AdvancedDisk - Schedule

SLP AdvancedDisk Schedule

AdvancedDisk SLP SLP

SLP - SLP

About Oracle Intelligent Policy master server behavior

By default for an Oracle Intelligent Policy, the client uses the first server in the server
list to start the Oracle backup or restore operation. However, you may want the
operation to recognize the master server name that is passed down from the master
server. If so, do one of the following:
■ On Windows, enter the USE_REQUESTED_MASTER = TRUE statement into
a text file (for example, new_config.txt). Then use the following command on
the master or the media server to send this newly created configuration file to
the client host:

# bpsetconfig -h myoracleclient new_config.txt

■ On UNIX, add USE_REQUESTED_MASTER = TRUE to the bp.conf file, which

enables more than one master server to back up the client.

Instances and Databases tab

Use the Instances and Databasese tab to select instances, instance groups, RAC
databases, or the clients that the Oracle Intelligent Policy is scheduled to back up.
Until you select items the first time for this policy, the panel is blank. Click New to
display another panel that lists all the possible instances, instance groups, or clients.
 Oracle policy configuration 78
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

If you add a new Oracle policy or change an existing Oracle policy, this tab appears
along the top of the policy configuration dialog.
You cannot mix instances and instance groups in this list. If you select instances
for a policy, then you want to select an instance group, the instances you select
are deleted from the list.
The Instances and Databases tab displays all the instances or instance groups
that the Oracle policy is scheduled to back up. If you add a new Oracle policy or
change an existing Oracle policy, this tab is one of several tabs that appear along
the top of the dialog. Click Instances to display three possible categories of items:
■ Protect Instances and Databases (OIP option). This panel displays all instances
that you have selected to back up for this policy. To add new instances to this
list, click New. A Select Instances panel appears that displays all registered
instances. Click the check box next to the instance or instances that you want
to add to the list. Instances that are already selected and in the list have their
check boxes checked. If an instance does not appear in this panel because it
is unregistered, you can register that instance and add it to the policy later.
The instance selection does not take effect until you click OK.
Table 4-6 describes all the instance fields for the instances in this list.
■ Protect instance groups (OIP option). This panel displays all instance groups
that you have created. To add new instances to this list, click New. A Select
Instance Group panel appears that displays all instance groups that you have
created. All instances that are a part of an instance group at backup time are
backed up. To add an instance group to the list of groups that are displayed on
this panel, click New.
To see what instances are backed up if the policy is run for an instance group,
select the group from the list, then click Preview Instances. A panel appears
that shows a list of all the registered instances in the group to be backed up.
■ Clients for use with scripts (Non-OIP option). This option is not for use with
OIP. If you want to use the client with scripts method of configuring an Oracle
policy instead of the new instance method, select Clients for use with scripts.
If you select this option, the existing backup selections and instances or instance
group are erased. Also, the Options tab and the Instances and Databases
tab are removed, because those options must now be set in the RMAN script
that the user supplies.
■ Protect RAC databases. This option displays all RAC databases that you have
selected to backup for this policy. If the panel does not display any RAC
databases, click Add new in the web UI to add a RAC to this policy.
 Oracle policy configuration 79
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

Table 4-6 Instances and Databases tab fields

Field Description

Instance Name The selection at the top of the panel determines the listing in the
panel window.

■ Protect Instances and Databases displays all individual

instances that you have chosen for this Oracle policy.
■ Protect instance groups displays all the instance groups that
you have created for this policy.
■ Clients for use with scripts displays all clients that you have
selected for this policy. Click New to add more clients to this
list.

Database Name The name of the selection that is referenced for this policy. The
Backup Selections tab defines what is backed up for the
selections. This column only appears when you select Protect
Instances and Databases. The Database Name can reference:

■ A keyword that represents the entire instance: $INSTANCE

■ Single or multiple PDBs

State Active - DB is backed up. Done in the host properties application.

Host Specifies the host where the Oracle database resides.

OS Type Specifies the operating system of the host. Valid values are
Windows and UNIX.

ORACLE_HOME The file path of the Oracle home directory where the instance
resides.

Instance Group Specifies the Oracle database instance group name that this
instance is part of. This field is blank if the instance does not belong
to an instance group.

Registered Specifies the date and time when a user gave the instance a set
of credentials. This field is blank if the instance has not been given
credentials.

See “Oracle tab” on page 81.

See “Backup Selections tab” on page 79.

Backup Selections tab

The Backup Selections tab lets you change the type of Oracle backup. You can
back up the whole database, only the tablespaces, only the data files, the Fast
 Oracle policy configuration 80
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

Recovery Area (FRA), Database Backup Shares, or the Whole Database -

Datafile Copy Share. The following is the selection list:
■ Whole database
■ Partial database - Tablespaces
■ Partial database - Datafiles
■ Fast Recovery Area - (FRA). This option backs up the contents of the FRA.
For the Oracle database instance to be restored and recovered, make sure that
the FRA contains a recoverable image set when it is backed up.
■ Database Backup Shares. This option is used when the Oracle DBA places
database backups in the share on a NetBackup appliance (Oracle Copilot).

Note: This feature requires a NetBackup appliance running software version

2.7.1 or later.

■ Whole Database - Datafile Copy Share. This option is used to create and
maintain a full set of data file copies in the share on a NetBackup appliance
(Oracle Copilot).

Note: This feature requires a NetBackup appliance running software version

2.7.1 or later.

By default, the Whole database option is selected and the backup selections contain
the directive WHOLE_DATABASE. If you choose one of the partial options (tablespaces
or data files), you must click the New button to display a new panel. The panel
contains a list of instances from which you can select tablespaces or the data files
that the new policy can back up.
When you back up tablespaces or data files, this selection applies across all the
instances and PDBs that are selected in the policy. If a tablespace is selected for
one instance or PDB, that same tablespace is backed up for all instances and PDBs
in the policy.
If you set up an OIP and that policy contains a CDB with PDBs, the CDB$ROOT is
automatically included in the backup. If the policy contains a PDB that is not found
when a backup is performed, an error appears in the Activity Monitor. The
Administration Console displays a status of either 5421 or 5422.
If you select the Database Backup Shares option, the directive
ALL_DATABASE_BACKUP_SHARES is automatically added to the selection list. Using
this directive, the policy backs up all the shares that are used on all appliances per
 Oracle policy configuration 81
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

instance. Optionally, you can click Browse to display a new panel that contains a
list of appliance shares. The appliance shares are where Oracle DBAs have created
backups for the instances configured in the policy. Select one or more shares that
the new policy should back up. Also, you can click New and add an appliance share
to the policy manually.
When you back up appliance shares for multiple instances, the Database Backup
Shares selection applies across all the instances that are selected in the policy. If
a share is selected for one instance, the data in that share is backed up for all the
instances in that policy.
The Whole Database - Datafile Copy Share option allows the NetBackup
Administrator to choose an appliance share as the destination for the first backup
copy. When the policy runs the first time, an RMAN script is generated that creates
a full set of Oracle data file copies. The copies reside in the appliance share. The
next time that the full schedule runs, the backup is accelerated if the Use
Accelerator option is selected. The RMAN script that is generated performs an
incremental backup and the changed blocks are merged into the data files. This
incremental backup creates an updated full set of Oracle data file copies. After the
new full copy is created in the appliance share, an SLP is used to make additional
copies of the full backup. The first copy is always a remote_vxfs snapshot.
The Use Accelerator feature is automatically selected when you configure an OIP
with the Whole Database - Datafile Copy Share option. The first time that the full
schedule runs it creates a full set of data file copies. After the first full schedule,
only the changes are backed up as a backup set and merged with the existing full
backup. Basically, an incremental merge is performed and Oracle’s Block Change
Tracking feature should be enabled for faster incremental backups. Only one share
can be set up so if you have two or more instances, all instances reside in the same
share.

Note: The Database Backup Shares and Whole Database - Datafile Copy Share
options can only be configured when the media server is a NetBackup appliance.
This option does not work with any other type of media server.

See “Oracle tab” on page 81.

See “About using a NetBackup appliance share for Oracle backups (Oracle Copilot)”
on page 86.

Oracle tab
This tab contains options for databases, tablespaces, data files, archived redo logs,
file name formats, and database backup shares.
 Oracle policy configuration 82
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

Table 4-7 Oracle tab fields

Field Description

Tablespace/Datafile Number of parallel streams is the number of parallel backup

Options streams that can be used in a backup operation.

When an Oracle RAC is included in the policy, setting the Number

of parallel streams option sets the streams per node. For example,
if the Oracle RAC has two nodes that are active and Number of
parallel streams is set to 2, NetBackup uses four streams.
NetBackup uses two parallel streams per active node.

Select Specify read-only tablespace options to enable read-only

tablespace options. Possible values are SKIP and FORCE. SKIP
means to skip the read-only tablespace during backup. FORCE
means that RMAN backs up all files.

Select Offline (cold) database backup to shut down the Oracle

database and put it in the mount state.

■ When this option is used with a PDB, the PDB is put in a

mounted state for the backup. Once the backup has completed,
the PDB is returned to the state it was in before the backup.

Select Skip offline datafiles to direct the backup operation to not

access offline data files.
 Oracle policy configuration 83
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

Table 4-7 Oracle tab fields (continued)

Field Description

Tablespace/Datafile Select the Data Guard backup options: option lets you specify a
Options(continued) policy to always back up the primary or a standby database. The
following options are available in the drop-down:

■ None - NetBackup does not look at the Data Guard role. At

policy execution each instance or RAC database in the policy
is backed up.
■ Require primary - This option backs up the primary Data Guard
database in the list of instances (or RAC databases) in the
policy.
If the primary is not available, the backup fails. A message
appears in the job details that indicates NetBackup cannot find
the primary database.
■ Require standby - This option backs up a standby Data Guard
database in the list of instances (or RAC databases) in the
policy. The first standby database NetBackup finds, is backed
up. Currently there is no way to set a priority order for the
standby databases.
Oracle Intelligent Policies do not support RMAN proxy type
backups of Data Guard standby databases.
If the standby is not available, the backup fails. A message
appears in the job details that indicates NetBackup cannot find
the standby database.
■ Prefer standby - This option backs up a standby Data Guard
database in the list of instances (or RAC databases) in the
policy. If a standby database is not found and the primary is
available, then the primary database is backed up.
Oracle Intelligent Policies do not support RMAN proxy type
backups of Data Guard standby databases.

Note: If you choose Require primary, Require standby, or Prefer

standby, then the following applies:

Only one database is backed up at policy execution.

All instances or RAC databases that are listed in a policy, must be

part of the same Data Guard configuration. Each Data Guard
configuration needs a separate policy.

The policy cannot protect instance groups or have backup type

Database Backup Shares or Whole Database – Datafile Copy
Share. These are incompatible with Data Guard aware policies.
 Oracle policy configuration 84
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

Table 4-7 Oracle tab fields (continued)

Field Description

Specify maximum Select Specify maximum limits to access several I/O and backup
limits set limits. The following parameters should only have to be modified
on rare occasions. If these values are not changed, the backup
uses the default values that are defined in RMAN. RMAN default
values usually provide the best performance.

Maximum I/O Limits parameters:

■ Read rate (KB/sec) (RATE) specifies the maximum number of

kilobytes (KB) that RMAN reads each second on this channel.
This parameter sets an upper limit for bytes read so that RMAN
does not consume too much disk bandwidth and degrade
performance.
■ Size of backup piece (KB) (MAXPIECESIZE) specifies the
maximum size of each backup piece that is created on this
channel.
■ Number of open files (MAXOPENFILES) controls the maximum
number of input files that the backup operation can have open
at any given time.
■ Section size (SECTION SIZE) enables RMAN’s multisection
backup during an RMAN backup. When a multisection backup
does run, an RMAN channel can process each file section
independently (serially or in parallel). The multisection backup
uses multiple channels to back up a single file. This option lets
you set the Section size to either MB or GB.
Size of backup piece (KB) and Section size are mutually
exclusive. NetBackup automatically sets Size of backup piece
(KB) to 0 if this option is enabled.

Maximum backup set limits parameters:

■ Number of files per backup set (FILESPERSET) specifies

the maximum number of input files to include in each output
backup set.
■ Size of the backup set (KB) (MAXSETSIZE) specifies a
maximum size for a backup set in kilobytes.

Backup Identifier Backup set identifier: (TAG) specifies a user-specified tag name
Options for a backup set, proxy copy, data file copy, or control file copy.
The tag is applied to the output files that the backup generates.

Datafile copy tag: This option specifies a user-specified tag name

when the Whole Database - Datafile Copy Share option is used.
The tag is associated with the data files that are located on the
appliance and is used during the incremental merge process.
 Oracle policy configuration 85
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

Table 4-7 Oracle tab fields (continued)

Field Description

Archived Redo Log Select Include archived redo logs in full and incremental
Options schedules to include the archived redo logs on the full and the
incremental schedule backups.

Select Delete after making copies to delete the archived redo

logs after the selected number of backups are successful. Clear
the box or set to 0 to skip the delete operation and retain the logs
after backup.

Number of parallel streams controls the degree of parallelism

within a backup. This number specifies the maximum number of
connections between RMAN and a database instance. Each
connection initiates an Oracle database server session on the target
instance. This server session performs the work of backing up
backup sets.

When an Oracle RAC is included in the policy, setting the Number

of parallel streams option sets the streams per node. For example,
if the Oracle RAC has two nodes that are active and Number of
parallel streams is set to 2, NetBackup uses four streams.
NetBackup uses two parallel streams per active node.

Specify Specify maximum limits to set custom limits for the archive
redo logs.

■ Number of files per backup set specifies the maximum number

of archived redo log files to include in each output backup set.
■ Size of backup set (KB) (MAXSETSIZE) specifies a maximum
size for a backup set of archived redo logs on kilobytes.

User Specified Select Specify backup file name formats to set up formats for
Backup File Name various backup file names for data files, archived redo logs, the
Formats control file, and Fast Recovery Area (FRA).

Ensure that the format that is specified for all RMAN backup piece
names (except for auto-backups of the control file) uses the _%u
and ends with _%t. NetBackup uses this timestamp as part of its
search criteria for catalog images. Without this timestamp,
performance might degrade as the NetBackup catalog grows. These
recommendations help to ensure proper backup, restore, and
crosscheck functionality.
Note: By default OIP uses the following
_d%d_u%u_s%s_p%p_t%t.
 Oracle policy configuration 86
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

Table 4-7 Oracle tab fields (continued)

Field Description

Database Backup These options let you set a time when backup sets and backup
Share Options copies (data and control file copies) are automatically deleted from
the appliance share. However, the files are only deleted if they have
been successfully backed up from the share. The two options are
Delete protected backup sets from share after and Delete
protected backup copies from share after. The deletion is based
on the age of the file in the share. The original dump time or the
update time (if an incremental merge is done on the file) determines
the age of the file.

These options are only available when the Database Backup

Shares option is selected in the Backup Selections tab.

Use the drop downs to set the minutes, hours, days, or weeks.
Note: The Database Backup Shares delete options can only be
configured when the media server is a NetBackup appliance. This
option does not work with any other type of media server. This
feature requires a NetBackup appliance with software version 2.7.1
or later.

See “Creating an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)” on page 69.

See “Instances and Databases tab” on page 77.
See “Backup Selections tab” on page 79.

About using a NetBackup appliance share for Oracle backups (Oracle

Copilot)

Note: This feature requires a NetBackup appliance running software version 2.7.1
or later.

This feature enhances the Oracle Intelligent Policy by giving you two options for
protecting an Oracle database using a share on a NetBackup appliance. The first
option gives you better control of backups when Oracle database backups are
placed in an appliance share by the DBA. The second option lets you choose an
appliance share as the destination for the first backup copy. Now you do not have
to rely on the DBA to create backups in the share. You must provision a share on
the appliance for these options using the NetBackup Appliance Shell Menu.
The Database Backup Shares option provides a share for the DBA on the
NetBackup appliance and is protected using the Oracle Intelligent Policy. The
 Oracle policy configuration 87
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

backup occurs on the appliance as an off-host backup and all data movement
occurs on the appliance and does not affect the Oracle client. Since the OIP protects
the appliance share, the backups are visible when the DBA uses RMAN or Oracle
Enterprise Manager.
The Whole Database - Datafile Copy Share option enhances the OIP to allow the
NetBackup Administrator to choose an appliance share as the destination for the
first backup copy. When the policy runs the first time, an RMAN script is generated
that creates a full set of Oracle data file copies. The data file copies reside in the
appliance share. The next time that the full schedule runs, the backup is accelerated
if the Use Accelerator option is selected. The RMAN script that is generated
performs an incremental backup and the changed blocks are merged into the data
files. This incremental backup creates an updated full set of Oracle data file copies.
After the new full copy is created in the database backup share, an SLP is used to
make additional copies of the full backup. The first copy is always a remote_vxfs
snapshot. The remote_vxfs snapshot creates a vxfs_checkpoint snapshot of the
share on the NetBackup appliance.
On the Attributes tab, the Use Accelerator feature is automatically selected when
you configure an OIP with Whole Database - Datafile Copy Share selected in the
Backup Selections tab. The first time that the full schedule runs it creates a full
set of data file copies. After the first full schedule, only the changes are backed up
as a backup set and merged with the existing full backup. Basically, an incremental
merge is performed. Oracle’s Block Change Tracking feature should be enabled
for faster incremental backups.
When using Oracle Copilot to protect your database, NetBackup does not protect
extended attributes, extent attributes, or Access Control Lists associated with the
database’s data files.
Oracle Copilot works with MSDP Universal share, NetBackup appliance, Flex, Flex
Scale, and BYO. For more information, review the Oracle Copilot with instant access
and universal share section in the NetBackup web UI Oracle Administrator’s Guide.

Note: These options are available to you but only configurable when you have a
NetBackup appliance configured as the media server. Create a share on the
appliance using the procedures in the Managing shares section of the NetBackup
52xx and 5330 Appliance Administrator’s Guide. If you enter a share path that is
not located on an appliance, nothing is backed up.

Note: The NetBackup appliance media server can only be configured in a pure
IPv4 or dual stack IPv4/IPv6 mode.
 Oracle policy configuration 88
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

See “Configuring an OIP using a share on the NetBackup appliance (Oracle Copilot)”
on page 88.
See “Backup Selections tab” on page 79.
See “Creating an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)” on page 69.
See “About restoring from a data file copy to ASM storage using RMAN” on page 149.

Configuring an OIP using a share on the NetBackup appliance

(Oracle Copilot)

Note: This feature requires a NetBackup appliance running software version 2.7.1
or later.

The Database Backup Shares option protects the database backups that an Oracle
DBA creates on a share on the NetBackup appliance.
The Whole Database - Datafile Copy Share option enhances the OIP to allow the
NetBackup Administrator to choose an appliance share as the destination for the
first backup copy. The backup copy is a full set of data file copies that are maintained
by updating only the changed blocks if Use Accelerator is selected.
If using Oracle Copilot with RAC then the following must be configured:
■ Each node of the RAC cluster must have access to the Oracle Copilot share.
■ The Oracle Copilot share has to be mounted on each node of the RAC cluster
using the same mount point name on each node.
Use the following procedure to set up a backup policy that protects shares on the
NetBackup appliance.
To configure an OIP using the Database Backup Shares or Whole Database
- Datafile Copy Share options
1 (Database Backup Shares option) The Oracle DBA asks NetBackup
administrator for the appliance share information.
2 The NetBackup administrator uses the NetBackup Appliance Shell Menu to
create a share on the appliance and then sets permissions for the share.
■ For more information about how to set up the share, see Creating a share
from the NetBackup Appliance Shell Menu in the Veritas NetBackup 52xx
and 5330 Appliance Administrator’s Guide

3 The NetBackup administrator sends information about the appliance share to

system administrator.
 Oracle policy configuration 89
About Oracle Intelligent Policies (OIP)

4 The system administrator mounts an appliance share on the Oracle database

server using the OS tools.
5 (Database Backup Shares option) The Oracle DBA uses RMAN to create a
database backup on the appliance share.
6 Configure an OIP.

Attributes tab On the Attributes tab, select Oracle as the Policy

Type.

The Use Accelerator option is automatically selected

when the Whole Database - Datafile Copy Share
option is selected. If the Use Accelerator option is
unchecked the full set of data files are copied again
(including changed blocks). When the Use Accelerator
option is used, the Oracle Change Block tracking should
be enabled for better performance.

For information on the Attributes tab, see the

NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.

Schedules tab On the Schedules tab, click New and select Full
Backup.

For information on the Schedules tab, see the

NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.

Instance tab Select the Oracle database instance in the Instance

tab.

See “Instances and Databases tab” on page 77.

Backup Selections tab Select the Database Backup Shares option in the
Backup Selections tab.

See “Backup Selections tab” on page 79.

Oracle tab Set up the deletion of backup sets and data file copies
in the Oracle tab.

See “Oracle tab” on page 81.

Note: The Database Backup Shares option can only be configured when the
media server is a NetBackup appliance. This option does not work with any other
type of media server.
 Oracle policy configuration 90
About script-based Oracle policies

Note: The NetBackup appliance media server can only be configured in a pure
IPv4 or dual stack IPv4/IPv6 mode.

See “Creating an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)” on page 69.

See “ Configuring a snapshot policy using a share on the NetBackup appliance
(Oracle Copilot)” on page 167.
See “About using a NetBackup appliance share for Oracle backups (Oracle Copilot)”
on page 86.

About script-based Oracle policies

NetBackup users or automatic schedules can start database backups by specifying
a shell script in the file list of the Oracle policy. The shell script specifies the backup
commands that RMAN performs on the client.

Note: All scripts must be stored and run locally. One recommendation is that scripts
should not be world-writable. Scripts are not allowed to be run from network or
remote locations. Any script that is created and saved in the NetBackup db_ext
(UNIX) or dbext (Windows) location needs to be protected during a NetBackup
uninstall.
For more information about registering authorized locations and scripts, review the
following article:
Registering authorized locations used by a NetBackup database script-based policy

On UNIX, NetBackup for Oracle includes a library of functions that enable RMAN
to use NetBackup. You can link to this library.
See “About linking Oracle RMAN with NetBackup for UNIX” on page 38.
On Windows, NetBackup for Oracle includes a library of functions that enable RMAN
to use NetBackup. This library is in c:\Windows\system32.
When you use the RMAN backup command, each resulting backup set contains
at least one backup piece (data file, data file copy, control file, or archive log) from
the target database. You must give each backup piece a unique name using the
format operand. Several substitution variables are available to aid in generating
unique names. You can specify the format operand in the backup command.
NetBackup considers the backup piece name as the file being backed up, so this
name must be unique in the catalog.
For a backup, the following items apply:
 Oracle policy configuration 91
About script-based Oracle policies

■ The rman command starts the requested operation on the databases.

■ When the process requires media to store backup data, RMAN starts a
user-directed backup by issuing a backup request.
■ The NetBackup media server connects to NetBackup for Oracle on the client.
NetBackup for Oracle on the client sends the database data to the NetBackup
media server which saves the data to secondary storage. A restore works in
essentially the same manner except that RMAN issues a restore request. This
request causes NetBackup to retrieve the data from secondary storage and
send it to NetBackup for Oracle on the client.
■ RMAN supports parallel operations, so a single rman command can start more
than one backup, or restore on the NetBackup system.
■ The status for an RMAN operation is stored in the RMAN catalog or in the
database control file. This same status appears in the output of the RMAN
command that is used to run the backup or restore. This status is the only status
that a database administrator must check to verify that a backup or restore has
been successful.
■ NetBackup also logs status, but only for its own part of the operation. The
database administrator cannot use the NetBackup status to determine whether
rman was successful. Errors can occur in rman that do not affect NetBackup and
are not recorded in its logs.
See “About the environment variables set by NetBackup for Oracle” on page 102.
See “About the RMAN SEND command variables” on page 102.
See “About the bp.conf file on UNIX systems” on page 105.
See “About creating shell scripts” on page 106.

Adding a new script-based Oracle policy

This topic describes how to add a new backup policy for a database.
To add a new script-based Oracle policy
1 Log on to the master server as administrator (Windows) or root (UNIX), and
start the NetBackup Administration Console.
2 If your site has more than one master server, choose the one on which you
want to add the policy.
3 In the NetBackup Administration Console, select NetBackup Management
> Policies. Then select Actions > New > New Policy.
4 In the Add a New Policy dialog box, in the Policy name box, type a unique
name for the new policy. Click OK.
 Oracle policy configuration 92
About script-based Oracle policies

5 In the Add New Policy dialog box, in the Policy type list, select Oracle. The
tabs along the top of the dialog change to include an Instances and Databases
tab.
The database agent policy type does not appear in the drop-down list unless
your master server has a license for the database agent.
6 Click the Instances and Databases tab and select Clients for use with
scripts.
7 Click Yes on the Backup Policy Management dialog box. The tabs along the
top of the dialog change again to include a Clients tab.
8 Click OK to return to the main screen of the NetBackup Administration
Console. Select View > Refresh to refresh the GUI so that the appropriate
schedule information appears in the Schedules tab.
9 In the right pane, double-click the policy that you have added. Another option
is to right-click on the policy name in the center pane and select Change from
the menu.
10 Complete the entries on the Attributes tab.
See “About policy attributes” on page 93.
11 Add other policy information as follows:
■ Add schedules.
See “Configuring NetBackup for Oracle automatic backup schedules”
on page 73.

Note: Be aware of what may happen if an automatic schedule invokes a

script that a user authored. NetBackup does not provide safeguards to
prevent an automatic backup schedule from running a restore or a recovery
script.

■ Add clients. On the Clients tab, click Clients for use with scripts option.
Then click New to display a list of all possible clients. Select new clients
from this list, then click OK.
See “Adding clients to a policy” on page 97.
■ Add scripts to the backup selections list.
See “About adding backup selections to an Oracle policy” on page 98.
See “Registering authorized locations used by a NetBackup database
script-based policy” on page 294.

12 When you have added all the schedules, clients, and backup selections you
need, click OK.
 Oracle policy configuration 93
About script-based Oracle policies

See “About schedule properties ” on page 93.

About policy attributes

With a few exceptions, NetBackup manages the policy attributes set for a database
backup like a file system backup. Other policy attributes vary according to your
specific backup strategy and system configuration.
For more information on policy attributes, see the NetBackup Administrator’s Guide,
Volume I.

Table 4-8 Policy attribute for NetBackup for Oracle policies

Attribute Description

Policy type Determines the types of clients that can be backed up with the policy. For Oracle databases,
select the policy type Oracle.

Limit jobs per policy Sets the maximum number of instances that NetBackup can back up concurrently with this
policy.

Follow NFS This option is available for Oracle policies on UNIX. Select this attribute to back up the files
from NFS-mounted file systems. If this option is not selected, NetBackup cannot perform a
backup of NFS-mounted files.

Also see the NetBackup Administrator's Guide, Volume I.

Note: This option is not available for snapshot backups.

Keyword phrase For NetBackup for Oracle, the Keyword phrase entry is ignored.

Snapshot Client and This group contains the options that enable backups with Snapshot Client and Replication
Replication Director Director.

About schedule properties

This topic describes the schedule properties that have a different meaning for
database backups than for file system backups. Other schedule properties vary
according to your specific backup strategy and system configuration. Additional
information about other schedule properties is available. See the NetBackup
Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.

Table 4-9 Description of schedule properties

Property Description

Type of backup Specifies the type of backup that this schedule can control. The selection list shows only
the backup types that apply to the policy you want to configure.
 Oracle policy configuration 94
About script-based Oracle policies

Table 4-9 Description of schedule properties (continued)

Property Description

Schedule type You can schedule an automatic backup in one of the following ways:

■ Frequency
Frequency specifies the period of time that can elapse until the next backup operation
begins on this schedule. For example, assume that the frequency is 7 days and a
successful backup occurs on Wednesday. The next full backup does not occur until the
following Wednesday. Typically, incremental backups have a shorter frequency than full
backups.
■ Calendar
The Calendar option lets you schedule the backup operations that are based on specific
dates, recurring week days, or recurring days of the month.

Retention The retention period for an application backup schedule refers to the length of time that
NetBackup keeps backup images (stream-based backups). The retention period for an
automatic schedule controls how long NetBackup keeps records of when scheduled backups
occurred (proxy backups). For example, if your database is backed up once every Sunday
morning, you should select a retention period of at least 2 weeks.
The type of schedule you select affects the retention period as follows:

■ Frequency-based scheduling
Set a retention period that is longer than the frequency setting for the schedule. For
example, if the frequency setting is set to one week, set the retention period to be more
than one week. The NetBackup scheduler compares the latest record of the automatic
backup schedule to the frequency of that automatic backup schedule. This comparison
is done to determine whether a backup is due. So if you set the retention period to expire
the record too early, the scheduled backup frequency is unpredictable. However, if you
set the retention period to be longer than necessary, the NetBackup catalog accumulates
unnecessary records.
Oracle is not notified when NetBackup expires a backup image. Use Oracle RMAN
repository maintenance commands to periodically delete expired backup sets from the
Oracle RMAN repository.
Oracle XML export operations create archives for long-term storage and recovery. Set
the retention level to a period of years or to infinity.
■ Calendar-based scheduling
The retention period setting is not significant for calendar-based scheduling.

Multiple copies If you want to specify multiple copies of a backup for the policy, configure Multiple copies
on the application backup schedule. If using Snapshot Client, also specify Multiple copies
on the automatic schedule.

Script-based policy - Storage and Retention

This topic describes storage and retention properties of the script-based policies.
 Oracle policy configuration 95
About script-based Oracle policies

See the NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.

Table 4-10 Storage and retention behavior

Property Description

Policy is a snapshot type If the policy is a snapshot type, the following are the possible scenarios of the retention
behavior:

■ If a schedule has overridden the policy storage, the override storage on the schedule
takes precedence over the policy storage.
■ If the policy storage is a snapshot SLP, the application schedule must override the
policy storage. The storage that is specified on the application schedule may not
be a snapshot SLP.
■ If the storage being used is not an SLP, the schedule determines the retention for
the snapshot data.
■ If you use the policy storage unit as an SLP, the SLP determines the retention for
the snapshot data.

Streamed data is processed by using the application schedule. Snapshot data is

processed by using the automatic schedule.

Policy is not a snapshot If the policy is not a snapshot type, the following are the possible scenarios of the
type retention behavior:

■ If the application schedule has overridden the policy storage, the override storage
on the schedule takes precedence over the policy storage.
■ If the storage being used is not an SLP, the retention is derived from the schedule.
■ If the storage being used is an SLP, the retention is derived from the SLP.

Since all data is streamed, the data is processed using the application schedule.

The following are examples of the script-based policy storage and retention behavior
for snapshot-based policy types:

Policy storage Application Full/Incremental Streamed Snapshot

schedule schedule data retention data retention
storage storage is derived is derived
from: from:

AdvancedDisk - - Application Full/Incremental

Schedule Schedule

AdvancedDisk - Non-Snapshot Application Non-Snapshot

SLP Schedule SLP

Non-Snapshot AdvancedDisk - Application Non-Snapshot

SLP Schedule SLP
 Oracle policy configuration 96
About script-based Oracle policies

Policy storage Application Full/Incremental Streamed Snapshot

schedule schedule data retention data retention
storage storage is derived is derived
from: from:

Tape library Non-Snapshot - Non-Snapshot Full/Incremental

SLP SLP Schedule

Snapshot SLP AdvancedDisk Snapshot SLP Application Snapshot SLP

(must be Schedule on
specified) Full/Incremental
Schedule

AdvancedDisk - Snapshot SLP Application Snapshot SLP

Schedule

Non-Snapshot - - Non-Snapshot Non-Snapshot

SLP SLP SLP

AdvancedDisk Non-Snapshot Snapshot SLP Non-Snapshot Snapshot SLP

SLP on Application on
Schedule Full/Incremental
Schedule

Snapshot SLP Non-Snapshot Snapshot SLP Non-Snapshot Snapshot SLP

SLP (must be on Application on
specified) Schedule Full/Incremental
Schedule

The following are examples of the script-based policy storage and retention behavior
for stream-based policy types:

Policy storage Schedule storage Application Streamed data

schedule storage retention is
derived from:

AdvancedDisk - N/A Application Schedule

Non-Snapshot SLP AdvancedDisk N/A Application Schedule

AdvancedDisk Non-Snapshot SLP N/A Non-Snapshot SLP

Non-Snapshot SLP - N/A Non-Snapshot SLP

AdvancedDisk - Non-Snapshot SLP Non-Snapshot SLP

Snapshot SLP - AdvancedDisk Application Schedule

 Oracle policy configuration 97
About script-based Oracle policies

See “About NetBackup for Oracle schedule properties using Oracle Intelligent
Policy” on page 74.

Adding clients to a policy

The client list contains a list of the clients on which your scripts are run during an
automatic backup or the clients that can send backup requests to the application
schedule. A NetBackup client must be in at least one policy but can be in more than
one.
NetBackup attempts to run each script in the backup selections list for each client
in the client list. If a script is not valid on a particular client, the script is skipped.
(For example, if the Oracle home that is specified in the script does not exist on
that client.) A policy can contain multiple clients and multiple scripts. Only a subset
of the scripts needs to be valid on each client. If the valid scripts are successful,
the entire backup is successful.
For a NetBackup for Oracle policy, clients you want to add must have the following
items installed or available:
■ Oracle
■ NetBackup client or server
■ The backup or restore scripts
■ The backup shell scripts
To add clients to a policy
1 Open the policy you want to edit or create a new policy.
To access the Policy dialog box, double-click the policy name in the Policies
list in the NetBackup Administration Console.
2 Click the Clients tab and click New.
3 Type the name of the client and select the hardware and operating system of
the client.
4 Choose one of the following:
■ To add another client, click Add.
■ If this client is the last client you want to add, click OK.

5 In the Policy dialog box, click OK.

 Oracle policy configuration 98
About script-based Oracle policies

About adding backup selections to an Oracle policy

The backup selections list in a database policy has a different meaning than for
non-database policies. For example, in a Standard or MS-Windows policy, the list
contains files and directories to be backed up.
In a database policy, you specify scripts to be run.
Observe the following rules when you use scripts:
■ Make sure that the scripts reside on each client in the client list.
■ NetBackup installs sample scripts when you install the software; you can modify
these scripts for your own use.
■ All scripts must be in an authorized location.
See “Registering authorized locations used by a NetBackup database
script-based policy” on page 294.
■ If you use NetBackup for Oracle in a NetBackup server cluster, make sure that
the scripts reside in a location that is available after a failover.

Note: All scripts must be stored and run locally. One recommendation is that scripts
should not be world-writable. Scripts are not allowed to be run from network or
remote locations. Any script that is created and saved in the NetBackup db_ext
(UNIX) or dbext (Windows) location needs to be protected during a NetBackup
uninstall.
For more information about registering authorized locations and scripts, review the
knowledge base article:
Registering authorized locations used by a NetBackup database script-based policy

Add scripts to the backup selections list only if you want to set up a policy for
automatic backups. These scripts are run for manual backups and for automatic
schedules as specified under the Schedules tab. NetBackup runs the scripts in
the order that they appear in the backup selections list.
See “Adding a script to the backup selections list in the NetBackup Administration
Console” on page 98.

Adding a script to the backup selections list in the

NetBackup Administration Console
The following procedure describes how to add a script to the backup selections list
in the NetBackup Administration Console.
 Oracle policy configuration 99
About script-based Oracle policies

Note: Be sure to specify the correct script name in the backup selections list to
prevent an error or a wrong operation.

To add a script to the backup selections list in the NetBackup Administration

Console
1 Open the Policy dialog box.
To access the Policy dialog box, double-click the policy name in the Policies
list in the NetBackup Administration Console.
2 Click the Backup Selections tab.
3 Click New.
4 In the Script box, type the full path name of a script on the client.
For example:

/backup_scripts/db/cold_backup.sh
C:\backup_scripts\db\cold_backup.cmd

See “Registering authorized locations used by a NetBackup database

script-based policy” on page 294.
5 Click Add to add the script to the list.
6 Click OK.

Note: Be aware of what may happen if an automatic schedule invokes a script that
a user authored. NetBackup does not provide safeguards to prevent an automatic
backup schedule from running a restore or a recovery script.

See “About adding backup selections to an Oracle policy” on page 98.

See “Using the NetBackup for Oracle sample scripts” on page 109.

About configuring the run-time environment

When the Oracle Intelligent Policy is not used, there are many user configurable
variables that can affect the operation of NetBackup for Oracle. Most can be set
only in an RMAN script. A few can be set in multiple places, most notably those
that specify the master server, client name, policy, and schedule.
When these variables are configured in multiple places, the following order of
precedence is used (the list is ranked highest to lowest):
■ RMAN SEND command variables, if specified in the backup script.
■ RMAN ENV parameter variables, if specified in the backup script.
 Oracle policy configuration 100
About script-based Oracle policies

See “About the RMAN SEND command variables” on page 102.

■ Environment variables that are inherited from the Oracle listener process startup
environment, if RMAN connects to the database using TNS SQL*Net.
■ Environment variables that are set in the backup script before RMAN is started.
■ The environment variables that the login or shell inherits.
See “About the Oracle RMAN environment” on page 100.
■ The environment variables that the master server initiation of an automatic
schedule sets.
See “About the environment variables set by NetBackup for Oracle” on page 102.
■ On UNIX, the Oracle user’s configuration file; $HOME/bp.conf.
■ The NetBackup configuration:
■ Windows: The
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Veritas\NetBackup\CurrentVersion\Config
registry keys.
■ UNIX: The /usr/openv/netbackup/bp.conf file.
■ Both: The NetBackup GUI settings for server, client name, optional default
policy, and optional default schedule.
See “About the bp.conf file on UNIX systems” on page 105.
■ The following defaults apply:
■ A server must be specified, there is no default.
■ The client name defaults to the host name.
■ The master server selects the first policy of type Oracle for the client name.
■ The master server selects the first schedule of type Application Backup
(stream-based) or Automatic Full Backup (proxy) from the policy.

See “Preparing for NetBackup for Oracle configuration” on page 46.

About the Oracle RMAN environment

The Oracle RMAN program inherits the environment of the program or shell from
which it was started. The environment may come from a number of places:
■ The global environment or profile for the host
■ The profile of the user
■ The NetBackup master server
■ A non-NetBackup scheduler
 Oracle policy configuration 101
About script-based Oracle policies

■ A backup script
■ An interactive terminal session
Additionally, once RMAN is started it connects to the database instance and starts
the Oracle database server processes that perform the backup. If the connection
is by local logon and password (without a TNS alias), the Oracle database server
process is a child of the RMAN program. The Oracle database server process
inherits the environment from RMAN. Because the NetBackup for Oracle agent is
a shared library loaded into the Oracle database server process it too inherits that
environment.
However, if RMAN connects to the database instance by SQL*Net (logon and
password@TNSalias) the Oracle database server process is a child of the SQL*Net
listener service. This SQL*Net listener service was started previously and
independently of RMAN. As a result, the NetBackup for Oracle agent does not
inherit the environment from RMAN. Instead, the agent inherits the environment
from which the listener service was started
To avoid unexpected results, it is recommended to configure RMAN to always use
the send command to pass the desired variables and values to NetBackup explicitly.
Alternatively the RMAN ENV parameter can be used to make the variables and
values available to NetBackup.
Example 1. Use the send command to specify the policy and server to use for a
database backup. As this example shows, specify the variables in the string in the
RMAN script after all channels have been allocated and before the backup
command.

run {
allocate channel t1 type 'SBT_TAPE';
allocate channel t2 type 'SBT_TAPE';
send 'NB_ORA_POLICY=your_policy,NB_ORA_SERV=your_server';
backup (database format 'bk_%U_%t');
release channel t1;
release channel t2;
}

Example 2. Use the parms operand to specify the policy and server to use for a
database backup. The parms operand is set with each allocate channel command
in the shell script.

run {
allocate channel t1 DEVICE TYPE 'SBT_TAPE'
PARMS "SBT_LIBRARY=/usr/openv/netbackup/bin/libobk.so,
ENV=(NB_ORA_POLICY=your_policy,NB_ORA_SERV=your_server)";
allocate channel t2 DEVICE TYPE 'SBT_TAPE'
 Oracle policy configuration 102
About script-based Oracle policies

PARMS "SBT_LIBRARY=/usr/openv/netbackup/bin/libobk.so,
ENV=(NB_ORA_POLICY=your_policy,NB_ORA_SERV=your_server)";
backup (database format 'bk_%s_%p_%t');
release channel t1;
release channel t2;
}

About the environment variables set by NetBackup for

Oracle
When an automatic schedule runs, NetBackup sets environment variables for shell
scripts to use. These variables are set only if the backup is started from the server,
either automatically by the NetBackup scheduler or manually through the
administrator interface.
On UNIX and Windows, these variables can be used to perform conditional
operations within the backup script.
Table 4-11 shows the variables.

Table 4-11 Variables that NetBackup for Oracle sets

Environment variable Purpose

NB_ORA_SERV Name of the NetBackup server that initiated the automatic

schedule.

NB_ORA_POLICY Name of the Oracle policy that contained the automatic

schedule.

NB_ORA_CLIENT Name of the NetBackup client in the policy.

NB_ORA_FULL Set to 1 for a Full schedule.

NB_ORA_INCR Set to 1 for a Differential incremental schedule.

NB_ORA_CINC Set to 1 for a Cumulative incremental schedule.

NB_ORA_PC_SCHED Name of the automatic schedule.

About the RMAN SEND command variables

The Oracle SEND command and the ENV parameter support several options that are
used with NetBackup for Oracle. The variables that the SEND command specifies
supersede those specified by the ENV parameter. Also, spaces are not permitted
when the variables and values are specified.
Table 4-12 describes the options you can set for the RMAN SEND command.
 Oracle policy configuration 103
About script-based Oracle policies

Table 4-12 Options for the SEND command

Option Purpose

BKUP_IMAGE_PERM Lets you set the permissions on a backup image at backup

time. Possible values are the following:

USER - set the permissions to 600. Only the original user

who backed up the data has access to the backup images.

GROUP - set the permissions to 660. Anyone from the

same group as the original user who backed up the data
has access to the backup images.

ANY - set the permissions to 664. Anyone has access to

the backup images.

If this keyword is not specified, the permissions default to

660.

To specify this keyword, use the send command to set the

variable. For example:

SEND 'BKUP_IMAGE_PERM=ANY';
Note: The BKUP_IMAGE_PERM option does not affect the
permissions for the physical files that are included in an
RMAN Proxy copy backup. Ensure the physical file owner,
group, and permissions are set correctly before the backup.

For more information, review the following:

Oracle RMAN PROXY restore from cataloged snapshot

fails to match the existing piece name

NB_ORA_CLIENT Specifies the name of the Oracle client.

NB_ORA_COPY_NUMBER Specifies which copy of the backup image to use for the
restore.

NB_ORA_PARENT_JOBID Enables the parent ID of the job ID to be displayed in the

Activity Monitor (only valid if it is a scheduled job).

NB_ORA_PC_RESTORE Specifies a snapshot rollback restore using a script or

RMAN command.

NB_ORA_PC_SCHED Specifies the NetBackup for the Oracle schedule that

NetBackup uses for a proxy copy file-based backup. This
schedule can be Full, Differential Incremental, or
Cumulative Incremental backup type. For scheduled
backups, this variable is passed from the scheduler.
 Oracle policy configuration 104
About script-based Oracle policies

Table 4-12 Options for the SEND command (continued)

Option Purpose

NB_ORA_PC_STREAMS Specifies the number of backup streams that NetBackup

starts simultaneously in each proxy copy session. When a
backup is started, NetBackup groups all data files into a
specified number of backup streams that are based on the
file sizes. NetBackup tries to create streams of equal size.
The default value for NB_ORA_PC_STREAMS is 1.

This option also can be used to specify the number of

restore streams that start simultaneously. For more
information about restores, refer to:

See “About Oracle multistream restore for proxy backup”

on page 126.

NB_ORA_POLICY Specifies the name of the policy to use for the Oracle
backup.

NB_ORA_RESTORE_PRIORITY Specifies the restore priority in NetBackup.

NB_ORA_SCHED Specifies the name of the Application Backup schedule to

use for the Oracle backup.

NB_ORA_SERV Specifies the name of the NetBackup master server.

NB_ORA_SERVER_READ_TIMEOUT Configured to instruct the dbclient to lengthen or shorten

the time-out on the media server. The media server uses
this time out when it waits for a progress status update
from the client during transfer of the backup image.
Typically, this setting should not be adjusted.

To review setting information and delay examples, refer to

the following article:

http://www.veritas.com/docs/TECH227741

NB_ORA_DISK_MEDIA_SERVER Specifies which media server to use when more than one
has access to the image to be restored.

Supersedes any FORCE_RESTORE_MEDIA_SERVER

setting on the master server.

CPF1_POLICY Policy to be used for duplex copy number 1.

CPF1_SCHED Application backup schedule for duplex copy number 1.

CPF2_POLICY Policy to be used for duplex copy number 2.

CPF2_SCHED Application backup schedule for duplex copy number 2.

 Oracle policy configuration 105
About script-based Oracle policies

Table 4-12 Options for the SEND command (continued)

Option Purpose

CPF3_POLICY Policy to be used for duplex copy number 3.

CPF3_SCHED Application backup schedule for duplex copy number 3.

CPF4_POLICY Policy to be used for duplex copy number 4.

CPF4_SCHED Application backup schedule for duplex copy number 4.

For more information, see the NetBackup System Administrator’s Guide, Volume
I.
See “About configuring the run-time environment” on page 99.
See “About the bp.conf file on UNIX systems” on page 105.
See “About the environment variables set by a user in the XML export parameter
file” on page 269.
See “About the environment variables set by NetBackup for Oracle” on page 102.

About the bp.conf file on UNIX systems

A NetBackup for Oracle user can create a bp.conf file in the Oracle user’s home
directory on the NetBackup for Oracle client host. When a NetBackup for Oracle
operation is started, the user’s bp.conf file is searched before the master
configuration file (/usr/openv/netbackup/bp.conf). Any option that is found at
the user level overrides the same option’s setting at the master level.
Table 4-13 shows the options that you can set in the user’s bp.conf file.

Table 4-13 Options for the user bp.conf file

Option Purpose

BPBACKUP_POLICY This option specifies the name of the policy to use for
the backup.

BPBACKUP_SCHED This option specifies the name of the Application

Backup type of schedule to use for the backup.

CLIENT_NAME This option specifies the name of the Oracle client.

This name is especially useful for a redirected restore
operation.
 Oracle policy configuration 106
About script-based Oracle policies

Table 4-13 Options for the user bp.conf file (continued)

Option Purpose

CLIENT_READ_TIMEOUT Use this option to increase the number of seconds that

the Oracle client initially waits for a response from the
NetBackup server. The default is the greater of 900 or
CLIENT_READ_TIMEOUT.

SERVER This option specifies the name of the NetBackup

master server. There can only be one SERVER option
in the user bp.conf file.

VERBOSE This option causes NetBackup to include more

information in its debug logs.

For more information, see the NetBackup System Administrator’s Guide, Volume
I.
The following shows example bp.conf entries for an Oracle user:

SERVER=jupiter
CLIENT_READ_TIMEOUT=900
VERBOSE=1

See “About configuring the run-time environment” on page 99.

See “About the environment variables set by a user in the XML export parameter
file” on page 269.
See “About the environment variables set by NetBackup for Oracle” on page 102.
See “About the RMAN SEND command variables” on page 102.

About creating shell scripts

RMAN scripts contain the commands that run NetBackup RMAN backup and
recovery jobs. The scripts must be created before NetBackup can perform scheduled
backups. The shell scripts are specified in policy configuration on the NetBackup
server.

Note: The Backup, Archive, and Restore GUI cannot be used for performing Oracle
backups and restores.

See “RMAN shell scripts” on page 107.

See “About creating RMAN scripts manually” on page 107.
 Oracle policy configuration 107
About script-based Oracle policies

RMAN shell scripts

You can use RMAN shell scripts with the NetBackup for Oracle agent. Shell scripts
that the user writes must conform to RMAN and operating system shell syntax.
Sample backup and recovery shell scripts are installed on the client with the
NetBackup for Oracle agent. Modify these scripts to meet your individual
requirements.
See “About creating RMAN scripts manually” on page 107.

About creating RMAN scripts manually

You can create RMAN scripts manually and when you create a script, you need to
specify the type of backup and assign a name to the output file. Keep in mind the
following considerations:

Backup type RMAN supports the following different types of backups (In the
examples, n must be 1 or higher):

■ BACKUP FULL
■ BACKUP INCREMNTAL LEVEL 0 (Full backup base for incremental
backups)
■ BACKUP INCREMENTAL LEVEL n (Differential incremental
backup)
■ BACKUP INCREMENTAL LEVEL n CUMULATIVE (Cumulative
incremental backup)

When generating a data file backup set, you can make either an
incremental backup or a full backup. Both a full backup and an
incremental level 0 perform a complete backup of the data file. However,
an incremental level 0 backup can be used as the base for incremental
level n and or incremental level n cumulative backups.

File names Observe the following with regard to file names:

■ Each output file must have a unique name. Use the %U format
specifier to satisfy this restriction. %U is equivalent to %u_%p_%c,
and it guarantees the uniqueness of the backup set name in all
circumstances.
■ Put %t at the end of the backup file name format. NetBackup uses
the timestamp as part of its search criteria for catalog images.
Without this timestamp, performance might degrade as the
NetBackup catalog grows.
■ Ensure that the format that is specified for all RMAN backup piece
names does not contain any space characters.

See “Registering authorized locations used by a NetBackup database script-based

policy” on page 294.
 Oracle policy configuration 108
About script-based Oracle policies

See “About the NetBackup for Oracle sample scripts” on page 108.
See “Using the NetBackup for Oracle sample scripts” on page 109.
See “About the set duplex command” on page 109.

About the NetBackup for Oracle sample scripts

When you install NetBackup for Oracle, there are some sample scripts that can be
used as examples. You must modify any sample script you use to work within your
environment. The NetBackup installation writes example scripts to the following
directory:
Windows:

install_path\NetBackup\dbext\Oracle\samples\rman

UNIX:

/usr/openv/netbackup/ext/db_ext/oracle/samples/rman

The Oracle example scripts are as follows:

Windows:

cold_duplex_cluster_database_backup_full.cmd
cold_cluster_database_backup.cmd
cold_database_backup.cmd
cold_pdb_backup.cmd
cluster_database_restore.cmd
complete_database_restore.cmd
complete_pdb_restore.cmd
hot_database_tablespace_backup_proxy.cmd
hot_pdb_backup.cmd
hot_database_backup.cmd
hot_pdb_tablespace_backup_proxy.cmd
pit_database_restore.cmd
pit_cluster_database_restore.cmd
pit_pdb_restore.cmd

UNIX:

cold_database_backup.sh
cold_pdb_backup.sh
hot_database_backup.sh
hot_database_tablespace_backup_proxy.sh
hot_pdb_backup.sh
hot_pdb_tablespace_backup_proxy.sh
 Oracle policy configuration 109
About script-based Oracle policies

complete_database_restore.sh
complete_pdb_restore.sh
pit_database_restore.sh
pit_pdb_restore.sh

Using the NetBackup for Oracle sample scripts

The following procedure describes how to use the sample scripts to manually create
your own script.
To use sample scripts provided by NetBackup for Oracle
1 Copy the example scripts to a different directory on your client. Oracle scripts
can be located anywhere on the client.
2 Modify each script for your environment.
3 On UNIX, make sure the su command logs into the correct user.
If you do not include an su - user (user is Oracle administrator account) in
your Oracle scripts, they do not run with the proper permissions and
environment variables. Problems with your database backups and restores
can arise.

About the set duplex command

RMAN provides an API that lets you make up to four backup sets simultaneously,
each an exact duplicate of the others. Using NetBackup, for example, you can back
up each copy to a different tape to protect against disaster, media damage, or
human error. Use the set duplex and the send commands to take advantage of
this feature.
The set duplex command specifies the number of copies of each backup piece
to create. The set duplex command affects all channels that are allocated after
you issue the command. It remains in effect until explicitly disabled or changed
during the session. You cannot issue the set duplex command after allocating a
channel.
The command syntax is:

set duplex = {ON | OFF | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4}

By default, duplex is OFF (a single backup set is produced). If you specify ON, it
produces two identical backup sets.
Note that you must enable the BACKUP_TAPE_IO_SLAVES initialization parameter to
perform duplexed backups. RMAN configures all media as needed for the number
of backup copies you request. For more information on BACKUP_TAPE_IO_SLAVES,
see your Oracle documentation.
 Oracle policy configuration 110
Configuring the logon account for the NetBackup Client Service for NetBackup for Oracle

Use the send command to specify the policy and schedule to use with each backup.
Because NetBackup uses the policy or schedule to determine what media to use,
this information is required for each copy, or an error occurs.
The command syntax is as follows:

send 'keyword=value [, keyword=value,...]';

The keywords that are used to specify a policy are CPF1_POLICY, CPF2_POLICY,
CPF3_POLICY, and CPF4_POLICY, which specify the backup policy for duplexed file
1 through duplexed file 4.
The keywords that are used to specify a schedule are CPF1_SCHED, CPF2_SCHED,
CPF3_SCHED, and CPF4_SCHED, which specify the Application Backup schedule for
duplexed file 1 through duplexed file 4.

About storing shell scripts

Shell scripts must reside on the NetBackup client. Backup shell scripts are
associated with a policy by specifying the file name (including path) in the policy
backup selections list. For server-directed or scheduled backups, each client in the
policy's client list must have a copy of the script with the same name in the same
location.
See “About adding backup selections to an Oracle policy” on page 98.
The backup and the recovery process sometimes require passwords for Oracle
database access or system user accounts. Because a shell interprets the shell
scripts, store the passwords in clear text.
See “Registering authorized locations used by a NetBackup database script-based
policy” on page 294.

Configuring the logon account for the NetBackup

Client Service for NetBackup for Oracle
This topic applies to those that are running NetBackup for Oracle on a Windows
platform.
Because the NetBackup Client Service is started by default under the SYSTEM
account, you must also give special attention to database user authentication. The
SYSTEM account does not have permission to connect to the target database if you
use OS authentication instead of passwords.
If you use OS authentication, run the NetBackup client service under an account
that has SYSDBA privileges.
 Oracle policy configuration 111
Testing configuration settings for NetBackup for Oracle

For more information on OS authentication, see your Oracle documentation.

Note: In a cluster environment, perform the steps on each database node in the
cluster. For an off-host backup, perform the steps on the alternate client.

To configure the logon account for the NetBackup Client Service for
NetBackup for Oracle
1 Open the Windows Services application.
2 Double-click the NetBackup Client Service entry.
3 Click the Log On tab.
4 Type the account name with SYSDBA privileges.
5 Type the password.
6 Click OK.
7 Stop and start the NetBackup Client Service.
8 Close the Services control panel application.

Testing configuration settings for NetBackup for

Oracle
After you configure the servers and clients in your environment, test the configuration
settings. Perform a manual backup (or backups) with the automatic backup
schedules you created. A description of status codes and other troubleshooting
information is available.
See the NetBackup Status Codes Reference Guide.
See the NetBackup Troubleshooting Guide.
To test the configuration settings
1 Log on to the master server as administrator (Windows) or root (UNIX).
2 Start the NetBackup Administration Console.
3 In the left pane, click Policies.
4 Click the policy you want to test.
 Oracle policy configuration 112
Testing configuration settings for NetBackup for Oracle

5 Select Actions > Manual Backup.

The Schedules pane contains the name of possible schedule or schedules
that are configured for the policy that you want to test.
For an Oracle Intelligent Policy, an Instances pane contains a list of instances
that are configured for the policy. Select one or more of the instances to start
the backup.
For a script-based policy, the Clients pane contains the name of the client or
clients that are listed in the policy. Select one or more of the clients to start the
backup.
6 Follow the directions in the Manual Backup dialog box. Then click OK.
7 To check the status of the backup, click Activity Monitor in the NetBackup
Administration Console.
The Activity Monitor and the script output indicate the status of the backup
operation.
 Chapter 5
Performing backups and
restores of Oracle
This chapter includes the following topics:

■ Overview of using NetBackup for Oracle

■ Maintaining the RMAN repository

■ Querying the RMAN repository

■ About NetBackup for Oracle backups

■ Browsing backups using the bplist command

■ Managing expired backup images

■ About NetBackup for Oracle restores

■ Using NetBackup for Oracle in a Microsoft Windows cluster environment

■ Creating an instant recovery point from an Oracle Copilot image

■ Deleting an instant recovery point for Oracle Copilot instant recovery

■ Cleaning up the Oracle Copilot share after point in time restore of database

■ Single-step restore to ASM storage from an Oracle Copilot recovery point

■ About restoring from a data file copy to ASM storage using RMAN

Overview of using NetBackup for Oracle

The NetBackup graphical user interfaces and command line interfaces let you
perform Oracle backup and recovery operations using Oracle RMAN utilities. You
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 114
Maintaining the RMAN repository

can also use the Oracle Enterprise Manager to perform Oracle backup and recovery
operations. The Oracle RMAN command line interface is also used to maintain and
query the RMAN repository.

Maintaining the RMAN repository

The RMAN repository is the collection of metadata about your target databases
that RMAN uses to conduct its backup, recovery, and maintenance operations. You
can either create a recovery catalog in which to store this information or let RMAN
store it exclusively in the target database control file. Although RMAN can conduct
all major backup and recovery operations using only the control file, some RMAN
commands function only when you use a recovery catalog.
Table 5-1 shows the tasks that are required to maintain the RMAN repository and
a subset of the repository maintenance commands that perform the tasks. Some
of these commands might not be available with all versions of RMAN.

Table 5-1 Tasks and commands

Task Commands that perform the task

Register a Before using RMAN with a recovery catalog, register the target database in the recovery catalog.
database with the To register, start and mount the target database but do not open it. At the RMAN prompt, issue
recovery catalog a register database command.

Reset the The reset database command directs RMAN to create a new database incarnation record in
incarnation in the the recovery catalog.
recovery catalog
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 115
Maintaining the RMAN repository

Table 5-1 Tasks and commands (continued)

Task Commands that perform the task

Crosscheck the Because NetBackup can expire images independently from Oracle, the RMAN repository can
information in the contain outdated information. Run an RMAN crosscheck to ensure that data in the recovery
RMAN repository catalog or control file is in sync with data in the backup image catalog. The crosscheck queries
NetBackup for the existence of each backup piece and then marks it as available or expired in
the RMAN repository. Use one of the following commands to check the specified files. You need
to run separate commands to delete images or repository records.

■ The change...crosscheck command queries NetBackup to determine if a backup piece

is available. If not, RMAN marks the backup piece as expired. If it was expired but is now
available, RMAN marks the backup piece as available. The command syntax is as follows:

change backuppiece {primary_keylist |

filename_list | tag} crosscheck;

change backupset {primary_keylist} crosscheck;

■ The crosscheck backupset command operates on available and expired backup pieces.
RMAN updates their status with the result (available or expired).

■ To crosscheck a database, start RMAN and connect to the target database and to the recovery
catalog (if used). At the rman command prompt, enter the following:

allocate channel for maintenance type 'SBT_TAPE';

crosscheck backupset of database;

The length of time to perform an RMAN crosscheck depends on several factors:

■ Number of RMAN backup pieces being crosschecked.

■ Number of RMAN backup pieces past their NetBackup retention period when NetBackup
expires them, not RMAN.
■ Format of the RMAN backup piece name and if the Veritas recommended _%t appears at
the end of the format statement.
■ Number of Oracle clients.
■ Number of NetBackup policies of any kind.
■ Length of time NetBackup retains backups and the number of backup images for the client
in the NetBackup catalog.
■ Scheduling time and the length of time between RMAN catalog maintenance operations.
■ Speed and accuracy of host name and reverse host name resolution on the NetBackup master
server.
■ Number and complexity of the operations that the NetBackup master server performs during
each crosscheck request.
■ Normal performance.
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 116
Maintaining the RMAN repository

Table 5-1 Tasks and commands (continued)

Task Commands that perform the task

Crosscheck using If files on an Oracle Copilot share are deleted outside of RMAN, the subsequent incremental
the Oracle Copilot merge backups that are done to the share fail. An RMAN crosscheck of the share must be done
share before the next backup to prevent more failures. This version of the RMAN crosscheck is slightly
different from the other crosscheck examples because of the need to specify type disk instead
of type SBT_TAPE. When running the RMAN crosscheck, the default is the
NetBackup_policyname. However, if the Datafile copy tag is changed in the Oracle tab, then
that tag name must be used in place of NetBackup_policyname. An example of the command
syntax follows (using the default NetBackup_policyname):

Run {
Allocate channel ch00 type 'disk';
crosscheck backup tag <Netbackup_policyname>;
delete noprompt expired backup;
crosscheck copy <Netbackup_policyname>;
delete noprompt expired copy;
release channel ch00;
}

Delete obsolete The DELETE OBSOLETE command deletes the backups that are no longer needed to satisfy
backups specified recoverability requirements. You can delete obsolete pieces according to the configured
default retention policy, or another retention policy that a DELETE OBSOLETE option specifies.
As with other forms of the DELETE command, the deleted files are removed from the backup
media (expired from NetBackup). Then they are deleted from the recovery catalog, and marked
as DELETED in the control file.

If you specify the DELETE OBSOLETE command with no arguments, then RMAN deletes all the
obsolete backups that the currently configured retention policy defines. For example:

Allocate channel for maintenance type 'SBT_TAPE';

DELETE OBSOLETE;

You can also use the REDUNDANCY or RECOVERY WINDOW clauses with DELETE to delete the
backups that are obsolete under a specific retention policy instead of the configured default:

DELETE OBSOLETE REDUNDANCY = 3;

DELETE OBSOLETE RECOVERY WINDOW OR 7 DAYS;
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 117
Maintaining the RMAN repository

Table 5-1 Tasks and commands (continued)

Task Commands that perform the task

Delete expired The delete expired backupset command operates only on the expired backup pieces that
backups are found in the recovery catalog. RMAN removes them from the recovery catalog and also from
the backup media (expires them from NetBackup).

To delete expired backup sets of a database from the recovery catalog, start RMAN and connect
to the target and the recovery catalog databases. At the RMAN command prompt, type the
following commands:

allocate channel for maintenance type

'SBT_TAPE';
delete expired backupset of database;

The crosscheck and delete backupset commands restrict the list of objects to only those
that are operated on. The restrictions are placed on the specified Oracle device type (disk or SBT
tape), object type (archived logs or database files), and date range.

Resynchronize the RMAN compares the recovery catalog to either the current control file of the target database or
recovery catalog a backup control file. It subsequently updates the catalog with the missing information or changed
information.

If you are running in ARCHIVELOG mode, do the following: Resynchronize the recovery catalog
regularly because the recovery catalog is not updated automatically when a log switch occurs or
when a redo log is archived.

You must also resynchronize the recovery catalog after making any change to the physical
structure of the target database. As with log archive operations, the recovery catalog is not
automatically updated when a physical schema change is made.

The RMAN backup, copy, restore, and switch commands update the recovery catalog
automatically when the target database control file is available. The recovery catalog database
is available when one of these commands is executed.

If the recovery catalog is unavailable when you issue backup or copy commands, you should
resynchronize it manually.

To resynchronize the recovery catalog, start RMAN and issue the resync catalog command.
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 118
Querying the RMAN repository

Table 5-1 Tasks and commands (continued)

Task Commands that perform the task

Change the Periodically, you might need to notify RMAN that the status of a backup set, backup piece, data
availability of a file copy, or archived redo log has changed. The RMAN change command enables you to make
backup set or file a variety of useful record changes.
copy
The change ... uncatalog command removes references to a backup piece, data file copy,
or archive log from the recovery catalog. This command works only with a recovery catalog.

The change ... delete command removes references to a backup piece, data file copy, or
archive log from the control file and recovery catalog. It physically deletes the file. This command
works with or without a recovery catalog.

The change ... crosscheck command removes references to a backup piece, data file
copy, or archive log from the control file and recovery catalog. The references are removed when
that file no longer exists. This command works with or without a recovery catalog.

The change ... unavailable command marks a backup piece, data file copy, or archive
log as unavailable. This command works only with a recovery catalog.

Validate the A restore validation retrieves the backup pieces from storage (NetBackup) and checks that the
restore of backups retrieved pieces are intact. But the restore validation discards the backup pieces without saving
the contents into the database.

Use restore ... validate when you want RMAN to choose the backups to test.

Use validate backupset when you want to specify the backup sets to test.

Querying the RMAN repository

RMAN lets you generate a number of reports relevant for backup and recovery
using the report and list commands. The list command lists the contents of
the recovery catalog or control file, and the report command performs a more
detailed analysis.
Use the report and list commands to determine what you have backed up and
what you need to back up. The information is available whether or not you use a
recovery catalog.
You can use the report command to answer many different questions.
Some examples are as follows:
■ Which files need a backup?
■ Which files have not had been backed up in awhile?
■ Which files are not recoverable due to unrecoverable operations?
■ Which backup files can be deleted?
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 119
About NetBackup for Oracle backups

■ What was the physical schema of the database at some previous point in time?
The list command queries the recovery catalog and control file and produces a
listing of its contents. The primary purpose of the list command is to determine
the backups that are available.
You can list the following information:
■ Backup sets containing a backup of a specified list of data files.
■ Backup sets containing a backup of any data file that is a member of a specified
list of tablespaces.
■ All backup sets or copies of all data files in the database.
■ Backup sets containing a backup of any archive logs with a specified name or
within a specified range.
■ Incarnations of a specified database or of all databases that are known to the
recovery catalog.
For more information on querying the RMAN repository, see your Oracle
documentation.

About NetBackup for Oracle backups

You can perform different types of backups using NetBackup. Backups can be run
automatically by using the schedules that you determine, or you can run a backup
manually. The following table describes these methods of running a backup.

Automatic backups When the NetBackup scheduler invokes a schedule for an automatic
backup, the NetBackup for Oracle backup shell scripts run as
follows:

■ In the same order as they appear in the file list

■ On all clients in the client list

The NetBackup for Oracle backup shell scripts start the database
backup by running the rman command.

When the backup is started through NetBackup, RMAN performs

error checking. The rman command generates an error if it
considers a command invalid, but it allows any of the commands
it typically considers valid to proceed. When you specify the wrong
script file name, you can start an unintended operation.
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 120
About NetBackup for Oracle backups

Manual backups You can use the NetBackup server software to manually run an
automatic backup schedule for the Oracle policy. For more
information, see the NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.

See “Testing configuration settings for NetBackup for Oracle”

on page 111.

See “Running the NetBackup for Oracle shell script” on page 120.
See “Overview of using NetBackup for Oracle” on page 113.
See “Browsing backups using the bplist command” on page 121.

Running the NetBackup for Oracle shell script

When you run a NetBackup for Oracle shell script on a client to initiate a backup
from the command prompt, specify the full path name to the file that contains the
script. For example:
Windows:

install_path\oracle\scripts\db_full_backup.cmd

UNIX:

/oracle/scripts/db_full_backup.sh

The shell starts the database backup by running the Oracle shell script. The Oracle
shell script contains commands to run rman.
The NetBackup installation script installs sample scripts in the following location:
Windows:

install_path\NetBackup\dbext\oracle\samples\rman

UNIX:

/usr/openv/netbackup/ext/db_ext/oracle/samples/rman

Running RMAN
As an Oracle user, you can run the rman command from the command prompt with
the RMAN command file as a parameter. This topic describes how to set the master
server to hag and the Oracle policy to obk before you start the backup.
On Windows, RMAN functionality runs as a service, so use the send operand to
set up the run-time environment. To start a backup using the rman command from
the command prompt, type the following:
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 121
Browsing backups using the bplist command

# send "‘NB_ORA_POLICY=obk,NB_ORA_SERV=hag’" cmdfile \

"install_path\oracle\scripts\db_full_backup.rcv"

On UNIX, type the following at the command prompt:

# rman target ‘internal/oracle@ORCL’ rcvcat ‘rman/rman@RCAT’

# send "‘NB_ORA_POLICY=obk,NB_ORA_SERV=hag’" cmdfile \
'/oracle/scripts/db_full_backup.rcv"

If you intend to connect to a database using a TNS alias, the RMAN send command
specifies the environment variables. The example sets the master server to hag
and the Oracle policy to obk before you start the backup.
See “About the bp.conf file on UNIX systems” on page 105.

Note: To run script files for database operations other than backups or restores, it
is recommended that you run the rman command directly rather than NetBackup.

For rman command script syntax and examples, see your Oracle documentation.

Browsing backups using the bplist command

You can use the bplist command to browse Oracle backups. The command returns
a list of backup file names.
Before using this command, log as follows into either the master server or to the
client:
■ On Windows, log on as administrator to the master server and to the client with
the appropriate altnames entry.
■ On UNIX and Linux, log on as root to the master server and to the client with
the appropriate altnames entry.
The following example uses the command to search all Oracle backups for a client
named jupiter:

# bplist -C jupiter -t 4 -R /

/exb_n2bm5bco_1_1392342936
/exb_mabm02ko_1_1392170136
/exb_lqbltds6_1_1392083334

The -t 4 on this command specifies the Oracle backups. The -R specifies the
default number (999) of directory levels to search.
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 122
Managing expired backup images

For more information on the bplist command, see the NetBackup Commands
Reference Guide.
You can also use the RMAN report and list commands to browse Oracle backups.
See “Querying the RMAN repository” on page 118.

Managing expired backup images

NetBackup and Oracle each maintain a repository of RMAN-initiated backup image
information. The retention setting in the Application Backup schedule for RMAN
stream-based backups determines the NetBackup image retention. But for RMAN
proxy backups and OIP backups, the retention setting on the Automatic Backup
schedule determines retention of the NetBackup image.
To manage expired backup images from the NetBackup repository, access the
Retention setting of the Application backup schedule. Specify the length of time
before NetBackup expires a backup image.
See “About schedule properties ” on page 93.
You can also manage the expired backup images from the Oracle repository. This
method sets the backup retention as an RMAN attribute, rather than a NetBackup
attribute. RMAN deletes the obsolete but not the unexpired backups from NetBackup.
The following items are also part of this process:
■ Set the NetBackup backup retention for Oracle backups to be either infinite or
significantly longer than the RMAN retention.
■ Set the RMAN retention to the number or duration to keep the backup sets in
the RMAN catalog. If no RMAN catalog exists, then use SQL to set an
appropriate value for "control_file_record_keep_time". The minimum appropriate
time is the catalog backup retention time plus the maximum time between catalog
maintenance operations.
■ On a regular basis, run the RMAN delete obsolete command to expire obsolete
images from the RMAN catalog, the control file, and from NetBackup.
■ If a cross-check of the catalog is required, perform the cross-check after RAMN
deletes the obsolete backups.
■ Stagger the initiation of RMAN catalog maintenance functions. Staggering is
done to limit the number of concurrent checks or deletion requests that RMAN
makes of the NetBackup master server.
■ Perform the RMAN catalog maintenance functions on a more frequent basis to
limit the number of NetBackup catalog requests in a single session.
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 123
Managing expired backup images

■ Ensure that the format that is specified for all RMAN backup piece names (except
for autobackups of the control file) ends with _%t.
■ Ensure that the format that is specified for all RMAN backup piece names does
not contain any space characters.
■ Avoid the creation of excessive, small backup pieces of database files or archive
logs.
You can manually remove references to backup images from the Oracle RMAN
repository. Use RMAN repository maintenance commands to remove references
to backup files. You can use these commands to delete backup image information
from both the Oracle RMAN repository and the NetBackup repository.
More information is available on the RMAN repository maintenance commands.
See “Maintaining the RMAN repository” on page 114.
When a request is issued to delete a backup file from the RMAN repository, RMAN
sends the request to NetBackup. The request tells NetBackup to delete the
corresponding image from the NetBackup repository, regardless of the retention
level.

About preventing the direct expiration of backup images

Catalog maintenance operations on Oracle send requests into NetBackup to
synchronize the database catalog with the NetBackup catalog. As part of the catalog
synchronization, the database may initiate an image expiration (delete) request to
the NetBackup catalog. These requests may also come from the DBA when
command-line options are used. For compliance reasons, you may want to prevent
the expiration of images in the NetBackup catalog from a database request by using
a bp.conf entry on the primary server.
To prevent the expiration of backup images, use the following bp.conf entry on
the primary server:

PREVENT_ORACLE_DIRECT_EXPIRE YES: This setting prevents the image delete

requests from the database. The delete
request receives a status code of 1420 and
the log message indicates that the image is
on LEGAL HOLD.

NO: The default setting. All image delete

requests are honored from the database.
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 124
About NetBackup for Oracle restores

Note: The normal image expiration (retention) and the bpexpdate command are
unaffected by this setting.
In a clustered primary server environment, these settings should be set and match
in all the primary server bp.conf files.

The following is an example of a log entry when a status code of 1420 is produced.
The dbclient log message for Oracle:

Image is on LEGAL HOLD - Failed to remove, %s, from image catalog.

About NetBackup for Oracle restores

Make sure that a backup has completed successfully before you attempt a restore.
A recovery can be a complex process so it might be necessary to perform manual
steps as part of the operation. For more information, see your Oracle documentation.

About an Oracle recovery shell script on the client

You can initiate a database recovery from the command prompt by typing the full
path to the shell script that performs an Oracle recovery. For example:
Windows:

install_path\oracle\scripts\database_restore.cmd

UNIX:

/oracle/scripts/database_restore.sh

The operating system shell starts the database restore by running the Oracle shell
script file. The Oracle shell script file contains commands to run RMAN.
The NetBackup installation script writes sample scripts to the following location:
Windows:

install_path\Netbackup\dbext\oracle\samples\rman\

UNIX:

/usr/openv/netbackup/ext/db_ext/oracle/samples/rman
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 125
About NetBackup for Oracle restores

About catalog names with RAC and Data Guard aware intelligent
policies
Oracle Data Guard and RAC aware intelligent policies catalog the backup images
under a special client name within the NetBackup catalog. Data Guard enabled
policies use the format databaseName_databaseID as the client name. RAC aware
policies use the format databaseUniqueName_databaseID. If a RAC database is
in a Data Guard enabled policy, the catalog name uses the Data Guard catalog
name.

Access to RAC database backup images

A RAC database configuration within NetBackup consists of a RAC database entry
along with the associated instances. Each instance has a single client (host) name
that can access the backup images that NetBackup stores. RAC databases and
the associated instances can be viewed and managed using the NetBackup web
UI. They can also be viewed and managed with the nboraadm command using the
options -list_rac_instances, -add_rac_instance, -modify_rac_instance, and
-delete_rac_instance.

See the NetBackup Commands Reference Guide for details of the nboraadm
command.

Access to Data Guard backup images

A Data Guard configuration in NetBackup consists of a Data Guard object with
attributes of database name and database ID. The list of Data Guard configurations
that are stored in the NetBackup relational database can be viewed using the
nboraadm command with the -list_data_guard option.

RAC databases and single instances databases can be associated with a single
Data Guard configuration. For Data Guard enabled policies, the Data Guard
configuration in NetBackup is added or updated automatically at policy run time.
Only RAC databases and single instance databases are added to a Data Guard
configuration after a back up has occurred. Any client that is part of a RAC database
configuration or single instance databases has access to the associated Data Guard
backup images. User name and user IDs along with group name and group IDs
should match across hosts in the Data Guard configuration to have access to the
backed-up files.
To see the list of RAC databases or single instance databases that are associated
with a Data Guard configuration use the nboraadm command with the
-list_data_guard_rac_databases or the -list_data_guard_instances option.

If a database has not been backed up with NetBackup and needs future access to
the database backups that NetBackup stores, it must be added to the Data Guard
configuration. You can use the nboraadm command using the
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 126
About NetBackup for Oracle restores

-add_rac_to_data_guard or -add_instance_to_data_guard option to add the

database to the configuration.
To remove access to the backup images, use the nboraadm command with the
-remove_rac_from_data_guard or -remove_instance_from_data_guard option.

See the NetBackup Commands Reference Guide for details of the nboraadm
command.

Access to Auto Image Replication (AIR) backup images

If restoring from an alternate NetBackup server domain (AIR domain target), for
access to images that relate to Data Guard or RAC, the master server must have
certain conditions set. That server must have the same Oracle instance repository
configuration duplicated into it to allow access from alternate nodes in the RAC
cluster. Or, the server must have an alternate standby database in the Data Guard.

About Oracle Clients with multiple network interfaces

Additional host names can be added as aliases to an instance within NetBackup.
This process is useful if a client is part of a RAC cluster or Data Guard configuration
and has multiple network interfaces used to connect to NetBackup servers. Aliases
can be listed, added, or deleted when the nboraadm command is used and the
-list_instance_alias, -add_instance_alias, and -delete_instances_alias
options.

Running RMAN on the client

You can run the rman command from a command prompt on the client. Use the
appropriate RMAN command file as a parameter.
On UNIX, the following example assumes that you are logged on as an Oracle
administrator.
To run the RMAN command on the client:
At the command prompt, type the following:
Windows: rman target ‘internal/oracle@ORCL’ rcvcat ‘rman\rman@RCAT’
cmdfile ‘install_path\oracle\scripts\database_restore.rcv’

UNIX: rman target ‘internal/oracle@ORCL’ rcvcat ‘rman/rman@RCAT’

cmdfile ‘/oracle/scripts/database_restore.rcv’

About Oracle multistream restore for proxy backup

NetBackup lets you specify the number of restore streams that start simultaneously
when the RMAN command is used. You can use the SEND command variable
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 127
About NetBackup for Oracle restores

NB_ORA_PC_STREAMS or the RMAN ENV parameter to specify the number of restore

streams. When you send the request to NetBackup, there may not be the same
number of streams or jobs running during restore. NetBackup adjusts the stream
count based on the count that is specified when you use the NB_ORA_PC_STREAMS
variable. Or, NetBackup uses the number of images the requested restore job needs
if the restore job needs more than one image. NetBackup selects whichever is the
minimum number needed to complete the restore job.
When the restore job needs only one image and it is a snapshot, the stream count
is based on the count that you specify in NB_ORA_PC_STREAMS. Or, NetBackup uses
the number of files the requested restore job needs to complete. NetBackup selects
whichever is the minimum number needed to complete the restore job. Also, the
files are evenly distributed across the streams based on the file size.
When the restore needs only one image and that image is not a snapshot, then
NetBackup does not attempt to perform a multistream restore.
See “About the RMAN SEND command variables” on page 102.
When the multistream restore is started, a parent job is created that initiates a child
job for each stream. If you cancel the parent job, all incomplete child jobs are
canceled and the job exits with a status of 150. If one of the child jobs is successful
before parent cancellation, then the parent job exits with a status of 1. If you cancel
one of the running child jobs, the child exits with status 150 and the parent job exits
with a status of 1.

Note: Multistream restore only works when using Oracle backup images and is
only accessible using command-line inputs.

Multistream restore supports the following snapshot method images:

■ remote_vxfs
■ VxFS_Checkpoint
■ VxVM
Multistream restore is not supported when using the following types of images:
■ Block level incremental images
■ Off-host supported snapshot method images
It is recommended to configure RMAN to always use the SEND command to pass
the desired variables and values to NetBackup explicitly. Alternatively the RMAN
ENV parameter can be used to make the variables and values available to
NetBackup. The following are examples of running the multistream restore:
Example 1. Use the SEND command to specify the NB_ORA_PC_STREAMS variable.
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 128
About NetBackup for Oracle restores

RUN {
ALLOCATE CHANNEL ch00 TYPE 'SBT_TAPE';
SEND 'NB_ORA_PC_STREAMS=<number of restore streams>';
RESTORE DATABASE; RECOVER DATABASE;
RELEASE CHANNEL ch00;
}

Example 2. Use the PARMS operand to specify the NB_ORA_PC_STREAMS variable.

RUN {
ALLOCATE CHANNEL ch00 TYPE 'SBT_TAPE'
PARMS "ENV=(NB_ORA_PC_STREAMS= <number of restore streams>)";
RESTORE DATABASE; RECOVER DATABASE;
RELEASE CHANNEL ch00;
}

Redirecting a restore to a different client

With NetBackup for Oracle you have the option to restore a database to a client
other than the one that originally performed the backup. The process of restoring
data to another client is called a redirected restore.
Figure 5-1 shows a redirected restore.

Figure 5-1 Redirected restore

1. Client A agents are backed up.

3. The server restores client A backup

image to client B.
Server

2. Client B requests restore of client A

image to client B.

The user on client A cannot initiate a redirected restore to client B. Only the user
on client B, which is the client receiving the backup image, can initiate the redirected
restore. Any user who belongs to the database group that performed the backup
can restore it, unless the BKUP_IMAGE_PERM variable was set to USER.
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 129
About NetBackup for Oracle restores

Preparing the master server for an alternate restore

The examples in the following procedure assume that the database instance ORAC11
was backed up by client2, and you want to restore ORAC11 to client1.
For more information on how to manage client restores, see the NetBackup
Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.
If you use a non-root service user account, specific access must be allowed for that
user when you add files to the /usr/openv/netbackup/db/altnames directory.
The service user account must have full access to these files through the ownership
or group and the permissions. For example, if the service user is svcname and its
group is srvgrp, the file can have permissions of 400. If the file owner is for a
different user and group, the file permissions must allow access to the service user.
For example, 777. Equivalent permission settings must be used in a Windows
environment.
To prepare the NetBackup master server for alternate restores
1 Log onto the NetBackup master server that hosts the policy that backed up
database instance ORAC11.
2 Create a dest_client_name file on the NetBackup master server.
■ Windows: install_path\NetBackup\db\altnames\dest_client_name
■ UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/db/altnames/dest_client_name
Where dest_client_name is the name of a client that is allowed to be a
destination client for alternate restores. For example, client1.
3 After creating a dest_client_name file, add the name of the NetBackup for
Oracle source client to the dest_client_name file. For example, add the following
line to this file:
client2

For more information on managing a client restore, see the NetBackup

Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.

About performing a redirected restore with RMAN

Perform the following procedure on the destination client host if you want to restore
any RMAN backups that another client owns.
The user on client A cannot initiate a redirected restore to client B. Only the user
on client B, which is the client receiving the backup image, can initiate the redirected
restore. Any user who belongs to the database group that performed the backup
can restore it, unless the BKUP_IMAGE_PERM variable is set to USER.
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 130
About NetBackup for Oracle restores

If you use a non-root service user account, specific access must be allowed for that
user when you add files to the /usr/openv/netbackup/db/altnames directory.
The service user account must have full access to these files through the ownership
or group and the permissions. For example, if the service user is svcname and its
group is srvgrp, the file can have permissions of 400. If the file owner is for a
different user and group, the file permissions must allow access to the service user.
For example, 777. Equivalent permission settings must be used in a Windows
environment.

Note: If the RMAN catalog database has been lost, restore the catalog database
first before continuing with the redirected restore.

To perform a redirected restore

1 Enable a network connection to the RMAN catalog database that the source
client used.
2 Do one of the following:
■ On Windows, use the rman parms option to set the NB_ORA_CLIENT
environment variable to the source client.
■ On UNIX, set the NB_ORA_CLIENT environment variable to the source client.

3 On UNIX, check the bp.conf files on the source client. Make sure that the
CLIENT_NAME variable either is not set or is set to the host name of the source
client.
4 Make the init.ora file of the source client available to the destination client.
Copy the file to the destination client or modify the file on the destination client.
Change all location-specific parameters.
5 Create a folder or set the permissions for a directory to restore the data files:
■ On Windows, create and start an Oracle service for the previously set
ORACLE_SID. Create the folder to which you want to restore the data files.

■ On UNIX, grant write permission to the directory to which you want to restore
the data files.

6 Set up a password file for the destination client database.

7 Start the database in the nomount state.
8 Start RMAN, connecting to the catalog. On Windows, also connect to the target
database.
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 131
About NetBackup for Oracle restores

9 On UNIX, set dbid to be the DBID of the source client database. Connect to
the target database without using a user ID and password.
10 Run an RMAN restore script. On UNIX, you can alternatively type the RMAN
commands for the restore.

Example - Performing a redirected restore of Oracle

For example, assume the following:
■ Source client is camel
■ Destination client is giraffe
■ Master server is lion
■ ORACLE_SID is test

■ The user is connected to the Oracle database using a local connection, not
SQL*Net
■ UNIX user is ora on both camel and giraffe
To perform a redirected restore (example)
1 Create the following file on server lion:
Windows: install_path\NetBackup\db\altnames\giraffe
UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/db/altnames/giraffe
Edit giraffe to contain the name camel:
2 Do one of the following:
■ Windows: Use the BAR GUI to set lion as the master server.
■ UNIX: Log onto giraffe as ora. Set SERVER=lion in
$ORACLE_HOME/bp.conf. This server must be the first server that is listed
in the bp.conf file.

3 Modify the network tnsnames.ora file to enable the RMAN catalog connection.
4 Create inittest.ora.file.
5 Windows: Using Oracle administration, create and start ORACLESERVICETEST.
6 Set the environment variable ORACLE_SID to test. On UNIX, also set
NB_ORA_CLIENT to camel.
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 132
Using NetBackup for Oracle in a Microsoft Windows cluster environment

7 Make sure that the destination database directory exists and has appropriate
access permissions.
The data files are restored to the directory path with the same name they had
when they were backed up.
8 Start the database in a nomount state.
On UNIX, the following is the output:

SQL> startup nomount pfile=$ORACLE_HOME/dbs/inittest.ora

%rman catalog rman/rman@rcat
RMAN> set dbid=<dbid of source database on camel
RMAN> connect target/
RMAN> run {
RMAN> ALLOCATE CHANNEL CH00 TYPE 'SBT_TAPE';
RMAN> SEND 'NB_ORA_SERV=lion, NB_ORA_CLIENT=camel';
RMAN> restore controlfile;
RMAN> }

SQL> alter database mount;

%orapwd file=$ORACLE_HOME/dbs/orapwtest password=<oracle>
%rman catalog rman/rman@RCVCAT

RMAN>set dbid=<Saved dbID of Source Target>

RMAN>connect target/
RMAN>run {
RMAN> ALLOCATE CHANNEL CH00 TYPE 'SBT_TAPE';
RMAN> ALLOCATE CHANNEL CH01 TYPE 'SBT_TAPE';
RMAN> SEND 'NB_ORA_SERV=lion, NB_ORA_CLIENT=camel';
RMAN> restore database;
RMAN> restore archivelog all;
RMAN> }

SQL>recover database until cancel using backup controlfile;

Now apply the archived logs. Type cancel when you decide to stop recovery.

Using NetBackup for Oracle in a Microsoft

Windows cluster environment
To use NetBackup for Oracle in a Microsoft Cluster environment, the following must
be installed in the cluster nodes:
■ NetBackup client or server (7.5 or greater)
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 133
Using NetBackup for Oracle in a Microsoft Windows cluster environment

■ NetBackup for Oracle on Windows (7.5 or greater)

■ Oracle Database version 10g or greater
■ Oracle Failsafe 3.11 for Oracle 10g or greater
■ Review the Oracle compatibility list for complete information.

NetBackup for Oracle users in a Microsoft Cluster environment must take some
additional steps to prepare for server-directed backups, user-directed backups, and
user-directed restores.

About backups of an Oracle clustered database on Windows

The most convenient way to back up your clustered databases is to set up schedules
for automatic backups. NetBackup for Oracle comes with sample scripts for clustered
Oracle databases. The NetBackup for Oracle installation process installs the sample
scripts in the following location:

install_path\NetBackup\dbext\oracle\samples\rman\

Modify the scripts to give values to the following variables:

■ Oracle SID
■ Oracle Home
■ Cluster Name, Domain
■ Failsafe Home
■ Failsafe user ID
■ Failsafe Password
■ Failsafe Database Resource Name
■ Virtual Oracle Database Name
You can also manually back up an Oracle policy. Refer to the following procedure:
See “Testing configuration settings for NetBackup for Oracle” on page 111.
For more information on how to back up or restore Microsoft Cluster using
NetBackup, see the NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.

Bringing the database instance offline on Windows

Before you can perform a user-directed backup or restore from the client, you must
take the database instance offline. You can use the Failsafe graphical user interface
or the Failsafe command line (FSCMD).
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 134
Using NetBackup for Oracle in a Microsoft Windows cluster environment

To take the database instance offline with Failsafe graphical user interface
1 Select the Oracle database resource in the Failsafe graphical user interface.
2 Choose to bring it offline.
To take the database instance offline with Failsafe command line (FSCMD), type
the following command:
■ fscmd offlineresource salesdb /cluster=curly /offline=immediate
/domain=domainname /user=user /pwd=pwd

To bring the resource offline, the preceding command sets offline=immediate.

Alternately, based on your need you can specify one of the following as the
argument:

abort Shuts down the database instantaneously by aborting the database

instance.

immediate Shuts down the database immediately by terminating SQL

statements in progress, rolling back uncommitted transactions and
disconnecting users.

normal Shuts down the database and doesn’t allow new connections after
the command was issued. This command waits for the connected
users to disconnect before the database is shut down.

transactional Shuts down the database only after all of the current transactions
have completed.

Because the offlineresource operation shuts down the Oracle database service,
enter the following command to start the Oracle database service:

net start OracleService

Bringing the database instance online on Windows

After you perform a user-directed backup or restore from the client, you must bring
the database instance online. You can use the Failsafe graphical user interface or
the Failsafe command line (FSCMD).
To bring the database instance online with Failsafe graphical user interface
1 Select the resource in the Failsafe graphical user interface.
2 Choose to bring it online.
To bring the database instance online with Failsafe command line (FSCMD), type
the following command:
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 135
Creating an instant recovery point from an Oracle Copilot image

■ fscmd online resource salesdb /cluster=curly

/offline=immediate /domain=domainname /user=user /pwd=pwd

User-directed backup or restore from the Windows client

This section explains the process to prepare a Microsoft Cluster environment for a
user-directed backup or restore operation.

Note: When performing user-directed backups, make sure that you are on the node
that owns the shared drive where the Oracle database is installed.

Note: When user-directed client restores are performed with different configuration
options of NetBackup failover media servers and a UNIX or Windows master server,
see the NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.

To perform a user-directed backup or restore from the client

1 Take the clustered Oracle database instance offline.
See “Bringing the database instance offline on Windows” on page 133.
2 Shut down and then startup the database in mount state.
The sequence is necessary to perform administrative tasks like backup and
recovery. Use the svrmgrl or sqlplus utility from Oracle. At the command
line, type the following:

Shutdown option [normal, abort, immediate]

startup mount

3 Perform the backup or recovery.

4 Bring the Oracle database online with failsafe after the desired backup or
restore is complete. The database is then enabled to fail over between the
configured cluster of nodes.
See “Bringing the database instance online on Windows” on page 134.

Creating an instant recovery point from an Oracle

Copilot image
The nborair command can determine if an image is available for Oracle Copilot
instant recovery.
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 136
Creating an instant recovery point from an Oracle Copilot image

Note: The functionality for creating an instant recovery point is not in the GUI. This
feature is command line option only.

Refer to the NetBackup Commands Reference Guide for more usage options using
the nborair command.
To create an instant recovery point
1 Determine if there are any images available for instant recovery by running the
nborair –list_images [-client name] [-server master] command.

The NetBackup administrator or the DBA can run this command from the
NetBackup client or master server.
Example output:

# nborair -list_images -client orachost1.demo.com -server mastsrv123

Time: 08/30/2016 15:51:17 ID: orachost1.demo.com_1472590277 Full Backup policy1
Time: 08/31/2016 11:20:17 ID: orachost1.demo.com_1472660417 Full Backup policy1
Time: 09/02/2016 10:42:45 ID: orachost1.demo.com_1472830965 Full Backup policy1

2 List the files that are included in the backup image by running the nborair
–list_files –backupid backup_id command.

The NetBackup administrator or the DBA can run this command from the
NetBackup client or master server. The DBA sees only the files they can access
when this command is run.
Example output:

# nborair -list_files -backupid orachost1.demo.com_1472590277

-rw-r----- orac112 dba 807411712 Sep 02 10:42 /backup/data_D-ORAC112_I-3955369132_TS-SYSAUX...
-rw-r----- orac112 dba 744497152 Sep 02 10:42 /backup/data_D-ORAC112_I-3955369132_TS-SYSTEM...
-rw-r----- orac112 dba 52436992 Sep 02 10:42 /backup/data_D-ORAC112_I-3955369132_TS-UNDOTBS...
-rw-r----- orac112 dba 5251072 Sep 02 10:42 /backup/data_D-ORAC112_I-3955369132_TS-USERS_FN...
-rw-r----- orac112 dba 163328 Sep 02 10:42 /backup/arch_D-ORAC112_I-3955369132_SCN-3744354_...
-rw-r----- orac112 dba 2560 Sep 02 10:42 /backup/arch_D-ORAC112_I-3955369132_SCN-3744354_5i...
-rw-r----- orac112 dba 98304 Sep 02 10:42 /backup/spfile_D-ORAC112_I-3955369132_T-20160902_...
-rw-r----- orac112 dba 1425408 Sep 02 10:42 /backup/cf_D-ORAC112_I-3955369132_T-20160902_5k...
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 137
Creating an instant recovery point from an Oracle Copilot image

3 Create the instance recovery point by running the nborair

-create_recovery_point -backupid backup_id -dest_client name
command. The backup_id is the same backup_id found in step 1.
The NetBackup administrator must run this command from the NetBackup
master server.
For this example, the destination client is oracdest.
Example output:

# nborair -create_recovery_point -backupid orachost1.demo.com_1472590277

-dest_client oracdest
Appliance: appl5330
Export path: /shares/share1_orachost1.demo.com_1472590277_rp1
Export options: oracdest(rw,no_root_squash,insecure)

4 Mount the recovery point on the destination client using the OS tools and with
the required mount options per Oracle documentation.
Example:
mount –t nfs
appl5330:/shares/share1_orachost1.demo.com_1472590277_rp1 /mnt

For Windows, Oracle’s DNFS needs to be configured. The recovery point has
to be exported with the insecure option.
5 (Conditional) On the destination host, verify the mount point is from the backup
ID that was requested by running the nborair –validate –backupid
backup_id -mount_path mount_path command.

The NetBackup administrator or the DBA can run this command on the
destination host.
Example output:

# nborair -validate -backupid orachost1.demo.com_1472590277 -mount_path /mnt

Validation successful - Recovery point mounted on /mnt was
created from backup ID orachost1.demo.com_1472590277

Note: The NetBackup appliance media server can only be configured in a pure
IPv4 or dual stack IPv4/IPv6 mode.

See “Single-step restore to ASM storage from an Oracle Copilot recovery point”
on page 145.
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 138
Deleting an instant recovery point for Oracle Copilot instant recovery

Deleting an instant recovery point for Oracle

Copilot instant recovery
The nborair command can delete an instant recovery point that is available for
Oracle Copilot instant recovery.

Note: The functionality for deleting an instant recovery point is not in the GUI. This
feature is command line option only.

Refer to the NetBackup Commands Reference Guide for more usage options using
the nborair command.
To delete an instant recovery point
1 (Conditional) Verify the recovery point is unmounted from the destination client
using the OS tools.
UNIX: umount /mnt
2 List the recovery point on the NetBackup appliance by running the nborair
–list_recovery_points –appliance appliance_name command.

The NetBackup administrator must run this command from the NetBackup
master server.
Example output:

# nborair -list_recovery_points -appliance appl5330

Total 1 recovery points found.

Export path: /shares/share1_orachost1.demo.com_1472590277_rp1

Share name: share1
Export options: oracdest(rw,no_root_squash,insecure)

3 Delete the recovery point on the NetBackup appliance by running the nborair
-delete_recovery_point -appliance appliance_name -export_path
export_path command.

The NetBackup administrator must run this command from the NetBackup
master server.
Example output:

# nborair -delete_recovery_point -appliance appl5330

-export_path /shares/share1_orachost1.demo.com_1472590277_rp1
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 139
Cleaning up the Oracle Copilot share after point in time restore of database

Cleaning up the Oracle Copilot share after point

in time restore of database
After a point in time restore of an Oracle database, RMAN can leave files from the
previous database incarnations on an Oracle Copilot share. NetBackup does not
automatically clean up the files from the previous database incarnation. This
procedure describes how to manually clean up the share using RMAN.

Note: The functionality for cleaning up an Oracle Copilot share is not in the GUI.
This feature is command line option only.

To clean up the Oracle Copilot share

1 Open a command prompt on the NetBackup client.
2 Set the NLS DATE_FORMAT to display hours, minutes, and seconds.
UNIX:

NLS_DATE_FORMAT=DD-MON-YY_HH24:MI:SS
export NLS_DATE_FORMAT

Windows:

set NLS_DATE_FORMAT=DD-MON-YY_HH24:MI:SS

3 Log into RMAN and if NetBackup uses the RMAN catalog, it is required to log
in to the catalog.
4 Use the RMAN> list incarnation of database; command to find the Reset
Time for the current incarnation.

Example:

List of Database Incarnations

DB Key Inc Key DB Name DB ID STATUS Reset SCN Reset Time
------- ------- -------- ---------------- --- ---------- ----------
10046 10054 ORACLEC2 3019371157 PARENT 1 11-SEP-14_08:40:48
10046 10047 ORACLEC2 3019371157 PARENT 2233668 27-APR-17_10:23:22
10046 11551 ORACLEC2 3019371157 CURRENT 2323198 28-APR-17_10:41:37
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 140
Cleaning up the Oracle Copilot share after point in time restore of database

5 Use the list backup summary completed before "to_date()" device

type disk; command to find all the backup pieces from the previous
incarnation by using the reset time ("to_date()" must match
NLS_DATE_FORMAT).

Example:

RMAN> list backup summary completed before "to_date('28-APR-17_10:41:37',

'DD-MON-YY_HH24:MI:SS')" device type disk;

List of Backups
===============
Key TY LV S Device Type Completion Time #Pieces #Copies Compressed Tag
------- -- -- - ----------- ------------------ ------- ------- ---------- ---
10192 B F A DISK 27-APR-17_10:42:59 1 1 NO TAG20170427T104257
10193 B F A DISK 27-APR-17_13:16:37 1 1 NO TAG20170427T131636
10194 B F A DISK 27-APR-17_13:16:55 1 1 NO TAG20170427T131654
10195 B F A DISK 27-APR-17_13:28:52 1 1 NO TAG20170427T132851
10196 B F A DISK 27-APR-17_13:29:08 1 1 NO TAG20170427T132906
10197 B F A DISK 27-APR-17_14:00:31 1 1 NO TAG20170427T140031
10198 B F A DISK 27-APR-17_14:00:43 1 1 NO TAG20170427T140043
10199 B F A DISK 27-APR-17_14:07:31 1 1 NO TAG20170427T140730
10200 B F A DISK 27-APR-17_14:07:48 1 1 NO TAG20170427T140747
10759 B A A DISK 28-APR-17_10:28:46 1 1 NO DCS_CDB
10786 B F A DISK 28-APR-17_10:28:56 1 1 NO DCS_CDB
10814 B F A DISK 28-APR-17_10:29:08 1 1 NO DCS_CDB

6 Use the list backup summary completed before "to_date()" device

type disk tag ''; command to find the backup pieces on the share by using
the tag (by default, the tag is the NetBackup policy name).
Example:

RMAN> list backup summary completed before "to_date('28-APR-17_10:41:37',

'DD-MON-YY_HH24:MI:SS')" device type disk tag 'DCS_CDB';

List of Backups
===============
Key TY LV S Device Type Completion Time #Pieces #Copies Compressed Tag
------- -- -- - ----------- ------------------ ------- ------- ---------- ---
10759 B A A DISK 28-APR-17_10:28:46 1 1 NO DCS_CDB
10786 B F A DISK 28-APR-17_10:28:56 1 1 NO DCS_CDB
10814 B F A DISK 28-APR-17_10:29:08 1 1 NO DCS_CDB
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 141
Cleaning up the Oracle Copilot share after point in time restore of database

7 Use the list backup completed before "to_date()" device type disk
tag ''; command to remove the summary option to see what files need
deleting.
Example:

RMAN> list backup completed before "to_date('28-APR-17_10:41:37',

'DD-MON-YY_HH24:MI:SS')" device type disk tag 'DCS_CDB';

List of Backup Sets

===================
BS Key Size Device Type Elapsed Time Completion Time
------- ---------- ----------- ------------ ------------------
10759 40.00K DISK 00:02:55 28-APR-17_10:28:46
BP Key: 10762 Status: AVAILABLE Compressed: NO Tag: DCS_CDB
Piece Name: C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\ARCH_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_SCN-2323355_26S2QF5F_DCS_CDB

List of Archived Logs in backup set 10759

Thrd Seq Low SCN Low Time Next SCN Next Time
---- ------- ---------- ------------------ ---------- ---------
1 19 2322734 28-APR-17_10:16:54 2323527 28-APR-17_10:25:48
1 20 2323527 28-APR-17_10:25:48 2323546 28-APR-17_10:25:49

BS Key Type LV Size Device Type Elapsed Time Completion Time

------- ---- -- ---------- ----------- ------------ ------------------
10786 Full 80.00K DISK 00:03:02 28-APR-17_10:28:56
BP Key: 10789 Status: AVAILABLE Compressed: NO Tag: DCS_CDB
Piece Name: C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\SPFILE_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_T-20170428_27S2QF5I_DCS_CDB
SPFILE Included: Modification time: 27-APR-17_14:57:53
SPFILE db_unique_name: ORACLEC2

BS Key Type LV Size Device Type Elapsed Time Completion Time

------- ---- -- ---------- ----------- ------------ ------------------
10814 Full 17.17M DISK 00:03:11 28-APR-17_10:29:08
BP Key: 10816 Status: AVAILABLE Compressed: NO Tag: DCS_CDB
Piece Name: C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\CF_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_T-20170428_28S2QF5L_DCS_CDB
Control File Included: Ckp SCN: 2323603 Ckp time: 28-APR-17_10:25:57
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 142
Cleaning up the Oracle Copilot share after point in time restore of database

8 Use the delete backup completed before "to_date()" device type

disk tag ''; command to delete the unwanted backup pieces.

Example:

RMAN> delete backup completed before "to_date('28-APR-17_10:41:37',

'DD-MON-YY_HH24:MI:SS')" device type disk tag 'DCS_CDB';

allocated channel: ORA_DISK_1

channel ORA_DISK_1: SID=242 device type=DISK

List of Backup Pieces

BP Key BS Key Pc# Cp# Status Device Type Piece Name
------- ------- --- --- ----------- ----------- ----------
10762 10759 1 1 AVAILABLE DISK C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\ARCH_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_
SCN-2323355_26S2QF5F_DCS_CDB
10789 10786 1 1 AVAILABLE DISK C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\SPFILE_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_
T-20170428_27S2QF5I_DCS_CDB
10816 10814 1 1 AVAILABLE DISK C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\CF_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_
T-20170428_28S2QF5L_DCS_CDB

Do you really want to delete the above objects (enter YES or NO)? YES
deleted backup piece
backup piece handle=C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\ARCH_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_SCN-2323355_26S2QF5F_DCS_CDB
RECID=50 STAMP=942488751
deleted backup piece
backup piece handle=C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\SPFILE_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_T-20170428_27S2QF5I_DCS_CDB
RECID=51 STAMP=942488754
deleted backup piece
backup piece handle=C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\CF_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_T-20170428_28S2QF5L_DCS_CDB
RECID=52 STAMP=942488758
Deleted 3 objects
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 143
Cleaning up the Oracle Copilot share after point in time restore of database

9 Use the list copy completed before "to_date()" tag ''; command to
find the data file copies on the share using the same reset time and tag.
Example:

RMAN> list copy completed before "to_date('28-APR-17_10:41:37',

'DD-MON-YY_HH24:MI:SS')" tag 'DCS_CDB';

specification does not match any control file copy in the repository
List of Datafile Copies
=======================
Key File S Completion Time Ckp SCN Ckp Time
------- ---- - ------------------ ---------- ------------------
10649 1 A 28-APR-17_10:25:39 2323417 28-APR-17_10:25:15
Name: C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\DATA_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_TS-SYSTEM_FNO-1_1GS2QE1J_S-48_
I-3019371157_DCS_CDB
Tag: DCS_CDB

10251 2 A 28-APR-17_10:15:32 2243146 27-APR-17_10:31:51

Name: C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\DATA_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_TS-SYSTEM_FNO-2_1LS2QEGQ_S-53_
I-3019371157_DCS_CDB
Tag: DCS_CDB
Container ID: 2, PDB Name: PDB$SEED

10648 3 A 28-APR-17_10:25:39 2323417 28-APR-17_10:25:15

Name: C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\DATA_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_TS-SYSAUX_FNO-3_1IS2QE8G_S-50_
I-3019371157_DCS_CDB
Tag: DCS_CDB

10249 4 A 28-APR-17_10:13:19 2243146 27-APR-17_10:31:51

Name: C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\DATA_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_TS-SYSAUX_FNO-4_1JS2QEBG_S-51_
I-3019371157_DCS_CDB
Tag: DCS_CDB
Container ID: 2, PDB Name: PDB$SEED

10647 5 A 28-APR-17_10:25:38 2323417 28-APR-17_10:25:15

Name: C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\DATA_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_TS-UNDOTBS1_FNO-5_1HS2QE57_S-49_
I-3019371157_DCS_CDB
Tag: DCS_CDB

10646 6 A 28-APR-17_10:25:37 2323417 28-APR-17_10:25:15

Name: C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\DATA_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_TS-USERS_FNO-6_1NS2QEJV_S-55_
I-3019371157_DCS_CDB
Tag: DCS_CDB
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 144
Cleaning up the Oracle Copilot share after point in time restore of database

10 Use the delete copy completed before "to_date()" tag ''; command
to delete the data file copies on the selected share.
Example:

RMAN> delete copy completed before "to_date('28-APR-17_10:41:37',

'DD-MON-YY_HH24:MI:SS')" tag 'DCS_CDB';

released channel: ORA_DISK_1

allocated channel: ORA_DISK_1
channel ORA_DISK_1: SID=242 device type=DISK
specification does not match any control file copy in the repository
List of Datafile Copies
=======================

Key File S Completion Time Ckp SCN Ckp Time

------- ---- - ------------------ ---------- ------------------
10649 1 A 28-APR-17_10:25:39 2323417 28-APR-17_10:25:15
Name: C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\DATA_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_TS-SYSTEM_FNO-1_1GS2QE1J_S-48_
I-3019371157_DCS_CDB
Tag: DCS_CDB

10251 2 A 28-APR-17_10:15:32 2243146 27-APR-17_10:31:51

Name: C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\DATA_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_TS-SYSTEM_FNO-2_1LS2QEGQ_S-53_
I-3019371157_DCS_CDB
Tag: DCS_CDB
Container ID: 2, PDB Name: PDB$SEED

10648 3 A 28-APR-17_10:25:39 2323417 28-APR-17_10:25:15

Name: C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\DATA_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_TS-SYSAUX_FNO-3_1IS2QE8G_S-50_
I-3019371157_DCS_CDB
Tag: DCS_CDB

10249 4 A 28-APR-17_10:13:19 2243146 27-APR-17_10:31:51

Name: C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\DATA_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_TS-SYSAUX_FNO-4_1JS2QEBG_S-51_
I-3019371157_DCS_CDB
Tag: DCS_CDB
Container ID: 2, PDB Name: PDB$SEED

10647 5 A 28-APR-17_10:25:38 2323417 28-APR-17_10:25:15

Name: C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\DATA_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_TS-UNDOTBS1_FNO-5_1HS2QE57_S-49_
I-3019371157_DCS_CDB
Tag: DCS_CDB
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 145
Single-step restore to ASM storage from an Oracle Copilot recovery point

10646 6 A 28-APR-17_10:25:37 2323417 28-APR-17_10:25:15

Name: C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\DATA_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_TS-USERS_FNO-6_1NS2QEJV_S-55_
I-3019371157_DCS_CDB
Tag: DCS_CDB

Do you really want to delete the above objects (enter YES or NO)? YES
deleted datafile copy
datafile copy file name=C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\DATA_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_TS-SYSTEM_FNO-1_1GS2QE1J_
S-48_I-3019371157_DCS_CDB RECID=36 STAMP=942488739
deleted datafile copy
datafile copy file name=C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\DATA_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_TS-SYSTEM_FNO-2_1LS2QEGQ_
S-53_I-3019371157_DCS_CDB RECID=29 STAMP=942488132
deleted datafile copy
datafile copy file name=C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\DATA_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_TS-SYSAUX_FNO-3_1IS2QE8G_
S-50_I-3019371157_DCS_CDB RECID=35 STAMP=942488739
deleted datafile copy
datafile copy file name=C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\DATA_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_TS-SYSAUX_FNO-4_1JS2QEBG_
S-51_I-3019371157_DCS_CDB RECID=27 STAMP=942487999
deleted datafile copy
datafile copy file name=C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\DATA_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_TS-UNDOTBS1_FNO-5_1HS2QE57_
S-49_I-3019371157_DCS_CDB RECID=34 STAMP=942488738
deleted datafile copy
datafile copy file name=C:\HA_NBA_SHARE\DATA_D-ORACLEC2_I-3019371157_TS-USERS_FNO-6_1NS2QEJV_
S-55_I-3019371157_DCS_CDB RECID=33 STAMP=942488737
Deleted 6 objects

Single-step restore to ASM storage from an Oracle

Copilot recovery point
The following procedure shows how to use RMAN to restore from a recovery point.
This procedure is only viable after the command nborair -create_recovery_point
is run and the recovery point is mounted on a target client.

Note: The functionality for single-step restore to ASM storage is not in the GUI.
This feature is run with RMAN only.

The procedure example assumes that a recovery point is already mounted and
uses the mount point of /db_mp as the example. All RMAN commands must run
from the target host.
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 146
Single-step restore to ASM storage from an Oracle Copilot recovery point

To perform a single-step restore to ASM storage from a recovery point

1 Catalog the backups from the recovery point.

RMAN> catalog start with '/db_mp/';

searching for all files that match the pattern /db_mp/

List of Files Unknown to the Database

=====================================
File Name: /db_mp/data_D-ORAC112_I-3955369132_TS-SYSAUX_FNO-2_8hrgu3qd_s-1297_I-3955369132
File Name: /db_mp/data_D-ORAC112_I-3955369132_TS-SYSTEM_FNO-1_8irgu3qk_s-1298_I-3955369132
File Name: /db_mp/data_D-ORAC112_I-3955369132_TS-UNDOTBS1_FNO-3_8jrgu3qr_s-1299_I-3955369132
File Name: /db_mp/data_D-ORAC112_I-3955369132_TS-USERS_FNO-4_8krgu3qt_s-1300_I-3955369132
File Name: /db_mp/arch_D-ORAC112_I-3955369132_SCN-5248163_a8rh0s3b
File Name: /db_mp/spfile_D-ORAC112_I-3955369132_T-20160929_a9rh0s3c
File Name: /db_mp/cf_D-ORAC112_I-3955369132_T-20160929_aarh0s3d

Do you really want to catalog the above files (enter YES or NO)? YES
cataloging files...
cataloging done

List of Cataloged Files

=======================
File Name: /db_mp/data_D-ORAC112_I-3955369132_TS-SYSAUX_FNO-2_8hrgu3qd_s-1297_I-3955369132
File Name: /db_mp/data_D-ORAC112_I-3955369132_TS-SYSTEM_FNO-1_8irgu3qk_s-1298_I-3955369132
File Name: /db_mp/data_D-ORAC112_I-3955369132_TS-UNDOTBS1_FNO-3_8jrgu3qr_s-1299_I-3955369132
File Name: /db_mp/data_D-ORAC112_I-3955369132_TS-USERS_FNO-4_8krgu3qt_s-1300_I-3955369132
File Name: /db_mp/arch_D-ORAC112_I-3955369132_SCN-5248163_a8rh0s3b
File Name: /db_mp/spfile_D-ORAC112_I-3955369132_T-20160929_a9rh0s3c
File Name: /db_mp/cf_D-ORAC112_I-3955369132_T-20160929_aarh0s3d
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 147
Single-step restore to ASM storage from an Oracle Copilot recovery point

2 Restore the data files from the point in time of the recovery point.
The following RMAN restore is from disk (DISK). Also, this example uses the
NLS_DATE_FORMAT="DD-MM-YYYY-HH24:MI:SS" command that was set in the
environment before RMAN was run. Use the date format for your environment.

RMAN> restore until time '2016-09-29-10:00:00' database;

Starting restore at 2016-10-12:15:51:22

allocated channel: ORA_DISK_1
channel ORA_DISK_1: SID=193 device type=DISK

channel ORA_DISK_1: restoring datafile 00001

input datafile copy RECID=461 STAMP=925055096
file name=/demo_2/data_D-ORAC112_I-3955369132_TS-SYSTEM_FNO-1_8irgu3qk_s-1298_I-3955369132
destination for restore of datafile 00001: /db/orac112/app/oradata/orac112/system01.dbf
channel ORA_DISK_1: copied datafile copy of datafile 00001
output file name=/db/orac112/app/oradata/orac112/system01.dbf RECID=0 STAMP=0
Finished restore at 2016-10-12:15:51:34
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 148
Single-step restore to ASM storage from an Oracle Copilot recovery point

3 Recover the database.

If the restore of archive logs is not available on disk, then the logs are restored
from NetBackup (sbt_tape).

RMAN> run
{
allocate channel ch00 type sbt_Tape;
recover database;
release channel ch00;
}

released channel: ORA_DISK_1

allocated channel: ch00
channel ch00: SID=193 device type=SBT_TAPE
channel ch00: Veritas NetBackup for Oracle - Release 8.0 (2016091418)

Starting recover at 2016-10-12:15:54:13

starting media recovery

archived log for thread 1 with sequence 508 is already on disk as file
/db/orac112/app/fast_recovery_area/ORAC112/archivelog/2016_09_29/o1_mf_1_508_cytbkv22_.arc
archived log for thread 1 with sequence 509 is already on disk as file
/db/orac112/app/fast_recovery_area/ORAC112/archivelog/2016_09_29/o1_mf_1_509_cytbkv36_.arc
....
archived log file name=
/db/orac112/app/fast_recovery_area/ORAC112/archivelog/2016_09_29/o1_mf_1_508_cytbkv22_.arc
thread=1 sequence=508
archived log file name=
/db/orac112/app/fast_recovery_area/ORAC112/archivelog/2016_09_29/o1_mf_1_509_cytbkv36_.arc
thread=1 sequence=509
....
media recovery complete, elapsed time: 00:00:55
Finished recover at 2016-10-12:15:55:09

released channel: ch00

RMAN>

See “Creating an instant recovery point from an Oracle Copilot image” on page 135.
See “About using a NetBackup appliance share for Oracle backups (Oracle Copilot)”
on page 86.
 Performing backups and restores of Oracle 149
About restoring from a data file copy to ASM storage using RMAN

See “Configuring an OIP using a share on the NetBackup appliance (Oracle Copilot)”
on page 88.

About restoring from a data file copy to ASM

storage using RMAN
When you use a proxy method for data file copies, NetBackup cannot place the file
directly back in ASM storage. You need to do a two-step restore for the data file
copies.
If the backups are stream-based then restore directly from NetBackup.
When you restore back to the appliance share, make sure that the share on the
appliance is configured with the no_root_squash NFS export option enabled.
For more information, refer to the Managing shares chapter in the Veritas NetBackup
Appliance Administrator’s Guide.
The first step is to stage the files to a file system. The second step is to use RMAN
to restore the files into ASM storage.
The following is an example RMAN script to stage the files to a file system:

RUN {
ALLOCATE CHANNEL ch00
TYPE 'SBT_TAPE';
SEND 'NB_ORA_CLIENT=clientname,NB_ORA_SERV=servername';
SET NEWNAME FOR TABLESPACE USERS TO '/dump/%U';
RESTORE TABLESPACE USERS;
RELEASE CHANNEL ch00;
}

Once the file is on a file system, then you can restore to ASM storage by running
the following:

RUN {
ALLOCATE CHANNEL dc00 DEVICE TYPE DISK;
RESTORE TABLESPACE USERS;
RECOVER DATABASE;
RELEASE CHANNEL dc00;
}
 Chapter 6
NetBackup for Oracle with
Snapshot Client
This chapter includes the following topics:

■ About NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client

■ How NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client works

■ About configuring Snapshot Client with NetBackup for Oracle

■ Restoring NetBackup for Oracle from a snapshot backup

■ About configuring NetBackup for Oracle block-level incremental backups on

UNIX

■ About Snapshot Client effects

■ About Oracle support for Replication Director

About NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client

To use NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client, NetBackup Snapshot Client
and NetBackup for Oracle must both be licensed and installed.
Before you use NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client, confirm that your
platform is supported.
See “Verifying the operating system and platform compatibility” on page 35.
A snapshot is a disk image of the client’s data that is made almost instantaneously.
When it is used with NetBackup Snapshot Client, NetBackup for Oracle can back
up Oracle objects by taking snapshot images of the component files. Later, it backs
up the snapshot version to the storage unit.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 151
About NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client

Snapshot backup captures the data at a particular instant without having caused
significant client downtime. Client operations and user access continue without
interruption during the backup. The resulting capture or snapshot can be backed
up without affecting the performance or availability of the database.
The following NetBackup Snapshot Client features are available for use with
NetBackup for Oracle.

Table 6-1 Snapshot Client features used with NetBackup for Oracle

Feature Description

Instant recovery This feature enables instant recovery of backups from disk.
It combines snapshot technology with the ability to do rapid
disk-based restores. NetBackup creates the image without
interrupting user access to data. Optionally, the image is
retained on disk as well as backed up to storage. Instant
recovery enables block-level restores.

The maximum number of instant recovery snapshots to be

retained at one time is calculated per client and database
name. With the remote_vxfs method, the number of
snapshots to be retained at one time is calculated per client,
database name, and NetBackup appliance.

Off-host backup An off-host backup shifts the burden of backup processing

onto a separate backup agent, such as an alternate client.
This shift reduces the effect on the client’s computing
resources ordinarily caused by a local backup. The backup
agent reads the data from the client disk and writes it to
storage.

On UNIX, an off-host backup can also be directed to a

NetBackup media server, or third-party copy device.

Block-level incremental On UNIX, a Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backup uses the

backup change tracking capabilities of the Veritas File System (VxFS)
Storage Checkpoint feature. In a BLI backup, only the
changed blocks of data are backed up, not the entire file or
file system. A BLI backup saves time, decreases the amount
of backup media that is required, and significantly reduces
CPU and network overhead during backups.

You can perform a BLI backup with or without RMAN.

 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 152
About NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client

Table 6-1 Snapshot Client features used with NetBackup for Oracle
(continued)

Feature Description

Proxy copy A proxy copy is a special type of backup in which the

NetBackup for Oracle agent manages the control of the data
transfer. During the backup and restore operations, the proxy
copy enables the agent to manage the entire data movement
between the disks that contain the data files and the storage
devices that NetBackup manages.

Backups and restores remain tightly integrated with Oracle

and its catalog, greatly simplifying administration tasks.

File-based operations Oracle provides the list of files that require backup or restore
to NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client.

More information is available.

See “NetBackup for Oracle file-based operations” on page 153.

Stream-based operations Stream-based operations are the standard NetBackup

implementation of conventional NetBackup for Oracle backup
and restore.

More information is available.

See “NetBackup for Oracle stream-based operations”

on page 152.

Proxy copy
A proxy copy is a special type of backup in which the NetBackup for Oracle agent
manages the control of the data transfer. During the backup and restore operations,
proxy copy enables the agent to manage the entire data movement between the
disks that contain the data files and the storage devices that NetBackup manages.
With proxy copy, RMAN provides a list of files that require backup or restore to the
NetBackup for Oracle agent. The agent determines how the data is moved and
when to move the data. Proxy copy is an extension to Oracle’s Media Management
API.
Backups and restores remain tightly integrated with RMAN and its catalog, which
greatly simplifies administration tasks.

NetBackup for Oracle stream-based operations

Stream-based operations are the standard NetBackup implementation of
conventional RMAN backup and restore. In a stream-based backup, NetBackup
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 153
About NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client

moves the data that the server process provides. NetBackup captures the data
stream content that RMAN provides. If the user has specified multiple streams,
then RMAN opens multiple streams and NetBackup catalogs them as separate
images.
Figure 6-1 represents a stream-based backup or restore.

Figure 6-1 NetBackup for Oracle RMAN stream-based backup or restore

Oracle Server

Data
Control commands
Oracle database Oracle database
disk disk

NetBackup

Storage

NetBackup for Oracle file-based operations

File-based operations are the NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client
implementation of Oracle proxy copy backups and restores. In a file-based operation,
RMAN provides the list of files that require backup or restore to NetBackup for
Oracle with Snapshot Client. NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client performs
the data movement.
Figure 6-2 represents a file-based backup or restore.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 154
How NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client works

Figure 6-2 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client file-based backup or
restore

Oracle Server

Control commands
List of files
Oracle database Oracle database
disk disk
Data Data

NetBackup

Storage

How NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client

works
NetBackup users or schedules start database backups or restores. The Oracle
Intelligent Policy automatically generates an RMAN script. The script-based policy
uses a shell script in the backup selections list of the Oracle policy. The shell script
specifies backup or restore commands for the Oracle Recovery Manager (RMAN)
to use when you perform the backup or restore on the client.
The RMAN backup proxy command initiates a proxy copy backup of the specified
objects. The objects that can be backed up using the proxy copy functionality depend
on the Oracle version. RMAN translates the objects into the physical file names
and provides a list of file names to NetBackup for Oracle.
See “Database objects supported by advanced backup methods” on page 156.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 155
How NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client works

The agent checks that the policy it uses for the backup is configured with the
appropriate Snapshot Client attributes. The agent then initiates file-based backups
of the Oracle files and uses the NetBackup Snapshot Client interface to perform
the data movement.
When Oracle performs proxy copy backups, it puts the data files being backed up
into backup mode. NetBackup then creates a snapshot of the files. After the snapshot
has been created, the NetBackup for Oracle agent signals back to Oracle to take
the data files out of backup mode. The data files being backed up are in backup
mode only for the period of time necessary to capture a snapshot of the data.
See “About the NetBackup for Oracle backup and restore operations” on page 155.
See “About configuring Snapshot Client with NetBackup for Oracle” on page 162.
See “Database objects supported by advanced backup methods” on page 156.
See “About NetBackup multistreaming” on page 156.
See “RMAN multiple channels” on page 156.
See “Restoring data files to a new location” on page 157.
See “Redirecting a restore to a different client” on page 157.
See “Symbolic links and raw data files (UNIX)” on page 157.
See “Quick I/O data files (UNIX)” on page 158.
See “RMAN incremental backups” on page 158.
See “About Oracle RMAN” on page 22.

About the NetBackup for Oracle backup and restore operations

For a backup operation, the NetBackup for Oracle agent performs the following
steps:
■ Receives a list of files to back up from RMAN.
■ A unique backup file name identifies each file in the NetBackup catalog. To
ensure that this procedure occurs, use the format operand to give each data
file a unique name.
■ Queries the policy to check whether the Snapshot Client policy attributes are
specified.
■ Initiates a configured number of Snapshot Client backups and waits until the
jobs are completed.
See “About NetBackup multistreaming” on page 156.
For a restore operation, the NetBackup for Oracle agent performs the following
steps:
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 156
How NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client works

■ Receives a list of files to restore from RMAN.

■ Sends a restore request to the NetBackup server for all files in the list.
■ Waits for NetBackup to restore all files in the file list.

Database objects supported by advanced backup methods

Oracle controls the kinds of database objects that can be backed up by proxy copy
and, therefore, what NetBackup can back up using Snapshot Client backup methods.
Oracle allows proxy copy backups of databases, tablespaces, and data files. With
Oracle 10g releases and later, Oracle also allows proxy copy backups of archived
redo logs. As a result, NetBackup can use file-based Snapshot Client backup
methods to back up these objects.
For control files, Oracle RMAN performs conventional stream-based backups only.
NetBackup for Oracle must use stream-based backups for control files even when
you use Snapshot Client methods for the other database objects.
The Oracle Intelligent Policy handles both stream-based and file-based components.
File-based and stream-based backups require different configurations. When
configuring your NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client backups, be sure to
configure a policy that allows both stream-based and file-based backups.

About NetBackup multistreaming

On the initial call, NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client returns a special entry
to RMAN indicating that it supports proxy copy. It also indicates to RMAN that it
supports an unlimited number of files to be proxy-copied in a single proxy copy
session. The number of channels that are allocated for the RMAN backup proxy
command does not control the degree of parallelism for proxy backups. RMAN uses
only one channel for proxy copy backups except when a specific configuration is
used.
The NB_ORA_PC_STREAMS variable controls the number of proxy copy backup streams
to be started. By default, the agent initiates one backup job for all files. If the RMAN
send command passes NB_ORA_PC_STREAMS, NetBackup for Oracle splits the files
into the number of groups that the variable specifies based on the file size. The
agent attempts to create streams of equal size and determines the number of
processes that run to perform the backup.

RMAN multiple channels

If you allocate multiple channels for an RMAN proxy copy backup session, RMAN
uses only one channel to perform a proxy backup of all objects. All other channels
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 157
How NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client works

can be used for a stream-based (non-proxy) backup of the control file or archived
redo logs.
See “Proxy backup examples” on page 159.

Restoring data files to a new location

NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client can restore the data files that are backed
up by proxy to a new location. The new location can be specified by using the RMAN
set newname command or ALTER DATABASE RENAME DATAFILE statement before
a restore is initiated. For example, to restore a data file for tablespace TEST to a
new location, you can use the following RMAN commands:

RUN
{
allocate channel t1 'SBT_TAPE';
sql 'alter tablespace TEST offline immediate'
# restore the datafile to a new location
set newname for datafile '/oradata/test.f' to
'/oradata_new/test.f';
restore tablespace TEST;
# make the control file recognize the restored file as current
switch datafile all;
recover tablespace TEST;
release channel t1;
}

The RMAN procedure for the data files that are backed up by proxy is the same as
for conventionally backed up data files. RMAN knows that the data files were backed
up by proxy, and it issues a proxy restore request to NetBackup for Oracle, which
restores the data files to the new location. For more information on the required
procedure, see your Oracle documentation.

Redirecting a restore to a different client

The procedure for restoring a proxy backup to a different destination client is the
same as the procedure for stream-based, non-proxy backups.

Symbolic links and raw data files (UNIX)

NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client backs up and restores the data files
that consist of symbolic links and regular files. Both the symbolic link and the file
are backed up and restored. However, if you selected Retain snapshots for instant
recovery then the symbolic link must reside on the same file system as the data
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 158
How NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client works

file. When you use instant recovery, if the symbolic link resides on a different file
system than the data file it points to, the restore fails.
NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client backs up and restores data files created
on raw partitions.

Quick I/O data files (UNIX)

NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client backs up and restores Quick I/O Oracle
data files. A Quick I/O file consists of two components: a hidden file with space
allocated for it and a link that points to the Quick I/O interface of the hidden file.
On the backup, NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client follows the symbolic
link and backs up both components of the Quick I/O file: the symbolic link and the
hidden file.
On the restore, NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client restores both components
from the backup image. If one or both of the components are missing, NetBackup
for Oracle with Snapshot Client creates the missing component(s).

RMAN incremental backups

You can use proxy copy backups as a part of the incremental strategy with
conventional non-proxy RMAN backups. RMAN lets you create a proxy copy
incremental level 0 backup. This backup can be the base for subsequent RMAN
traditional incremental backups (level 1-n). To accomplish this backup, perform a
snapshot proxy copy (file-based) level 0 incremental backup and follow with an
RMAN traditional (stream-based) level 1-n incremental backup.
In Oracle 10g it is possible to track changed blocks using a change tracking file.
Enabling change tracking does produce a small amount of database overhead, but
it greatly improves the performance of incremental backups. Use the ALTER
DATABASE ENABLE BLOCK CHANGE TRACKING; sqlplus command to enable block
change tracking on the database.
In the following example, the first run command initiates a proxy copy backup of
tablespace tbs1. NetBackup for Oracle uses a snapshot file-based backup to
perform a full tablespace backup. RMAN designates this backup as eligible for
incremental level 1-n backups. The second run command initiates a traditional
non-proxy level 1 incremental backup of the same tablespace tbs1. In this case,
NetBackup for Oracle performs a stream-based backup.

run {
allocate channel t1 type 'SBT_TAPE';
backup
incremental level 0
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 159
How NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client works

proxy
format ’bk_%U_%t’
tablespace tbs1;
release channel t1;
}

run {
allocate channel t1 type 'SBT_TAPE';
backup
incremental level 1
format ’bk_%U_%t’
tablespace tbs1;
release channel t1;
}

Proxy backup examples

The Oracle Intelligent Policy automatically creates the RMAN proxy script. In some
instances, you need to create a custom script specific to your environment.
The following examples show how to use multiple channels in RMAN scripts with
proxy backups.

Table 6-2 Proxy backup examples

Backup example Sample script

This RMAN sample script initiates a whole run {

database backup, which includes the control allocate channel t1 type 'SBT_TAPE';
file. RMAN starts one proxy copy backup send 'NB_ORA_PC_STREAMS=3';
session by sending a list of all data files to backup proxy
the NetBackup for Oracle agent on channel format 'bk_%U_%t'
t1. (database);
release channel t1;
}

The agent splits the files into three streams and initiates a file-based
backup for each stream. After the proxy backup is done, RMAN starts
a non-proxy conventional backup of the control file on channel t1.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 160
How NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client works

Table 6-2 Proxy backup examples (continued)

Backup example Sample script

This RMAN sample script initiates a whole run {

database backup, which includes the control allocate channel t1 type 'SBT_TAPE';
file. RMAN starts one proxy copy backup allocate channel t2 type 'SBT_TAPE';
session by sending a list of all data files to send 'NB_ORA_PC_STREAMS=3';
the NetBackup for Oracle agent on channel backup proxy
t1. The agent splits the files into three format 'bk_%U_%t'
streams and initiates a file-based backup for (database);
each stream. At the same time, RMAN starts release channel t1;
a non-proxy conventional backup of the release channel t2;
control file on channel t2. }

If the RMAN recovery catalog is not used, the version of the control file
being backed up does not contain information about the current backup.
To include the information about the current backup, back up the control
file as the last step in the backup operation. This step is not necessary
if the recovery catalog is used.

Run {
allocate channel t1 type 'SBT_TAPE';
backup
format 'cntrl_%s_%p_%t'
current controlfile;
release channel t1;
}
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 161
How NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client works

Table 6-2 Proxy backup examples (continued)

Backup example Sample script

In this sample script, RMAN initiates two run {

proxy copy backups sequentially on channel allocate channel t1 type 'SBT_TAPE';
t1. It starts a proxy backup of tablespace backup proxy
tbs1 data files. After the backup is done, it format 'bk_%U_%t'
starts another proxy backup of tablespace (tablespace tbs1);
tbs2 data files. backup proxy
format 'bk_%U_%t'
(tablespace tbs2);
release channel t1;
}

This configuration can cause problems if the sequential backups create

snapshots on the same or a separate volume that share a snapshot
resource specification. In such a situation, issue a single backup
command such as the following which specifies both tablespaces rather
than two separate backup commands:

run {
allocate channel t1 type 'SBT_TAPE';
backup proxy
format 'bk_%U_%t'
(tablespace tbs1, tbs2);
release channel t1;
}

In this example, RMAN distributes proxy run {

copy backups over two channels. It creates allocate channel t1 type 'SBT_TAPE';
two proxy copy backup sessions sending send ’NB_ORA_POLICY=policy1’;
tbs1 data files on channel t1 and tbs2 allocate channel t2 type 'SBT_TAPE';
data files on channel t2. Such a method is send ’NB_ORA_POLICY=policy2’;
useful if you want to specify different backup proxy
NetBackup configurations for each channel. format 'bk_%U_%t'
In this example, each send command (tablespace tbs1 channel t1);
specifies a different policy that is sent to the (tablespace tbs2 channel t2);
proxy backups. Each of the proxy backups release channel t1;
uses this policy. release channel t2;
}
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 162
About configuring Snapshot Client with NetBackup for Oracle

About configuring Snapshot Client with

NetBackup for Oracle
This topic explains how to configure snapshot and instant recovery backups for the
Oracle policy. For information on how a snapshot method is automatically selected
and details on the types of backup methods, see the NetBackup Snapshot Client
Administrator’s Guide.
Snapshot backups do not back up all database objects. Your backup configuration
must include one or more automatic schedules to perform snapshot backups and
one or more application schedules to perform stream-based backups. This
configuration ensures that the entire database can be restored successfully.
For snapshot or instant recovery backups, configure the following policies and
schedules as follows:
■ A Oracle policy with the following attributes:
■ Snapshot methods for the file systems in which the database files reside.
■ A backup method on the policy attributes dialog box.
■ An Automatic Full Backup schedule to perform snapshot and off-host backups
of the database.
■ (Conditional) For script-based policies: An Application Backup schedule to
back up the transaction logs.

To use NAS snapshot with NetBackup for Oracle, the Oracle database must be
installed and configured to work in a NAS environment.
If you want to use a SnapVault storage unit, make sure that the storage unit is
configured before you start configuring the NAS snapshot policy.
For more information about NAS snapshot and SnapVault, see the NetBackup
Snapshot Client Administrator’s Guide.

Configuration requirements for snapshot backups with NetBackup

for Oracle
Each agent has its own hardware requirements, software requirements, compatibility
with certain features, and the snapshot methods that are supported. Special
requirements apply for specific types of backups. See the NetBackup Snapshot
Client Administrator’s Guide and the Veritas Support website for more information.
Familiarize yourself with this information before you configure any snapshot backups.
The following list highlights some of the requirements that pertain to database
agents:
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 163
About configuring Snapshot Client with NetBackup for Oracle

■ Snapshot Client backups do not back up all database objects. Your backup
configuration must include schedules to perform snapshot and stream-based
backups. This configuration ensures that the entire database can be restored
successfully.
■ On UNIX, the user identification and group identification numbers (UIDs and
GIDs) associated with the files to be backed up must be available. The UID and
GID must be available to both the primary client and the alternate backup client.
The UID on the primary client and the alternate backup client must be the same.
Similarly, the GID on the primary client and the alternate backup client must be
the same.

Note: The UID number can be different than the GID number.

■ Allocate different areas for data files, archived redo logs, and the control file for
database activities. Write the data files to their own repository because it is
required for an instant recovery point-in-time rollback. Only data files can exist
on the volume or the file system that you want to restore.
■ The hardware and software that is required for the appropriate snapshot method
must be installed and configured correctly.
■ NetBackup Snapshot Client must be installed and configured correctly, and the
license for this option must be registered.
■ To perform off-host backups, perform any special configuration that is required.

Configuring a snapshot policy for NetBackup for Oracle

The following procedure shows how to configure a snapshot policy with optional
instant recovery, snapshot retention, and off-host backup.
This procedure does not detail how to configure a snapshot policy when a NetBackup
appliance is used.
See “ Configuring a snapshot policy using a share on the NetBackup appliance
(Oracle Copilot)” on page 167.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 164
About configuring Snapshot Client with NetBackup for Oracle

To configure a snapshot policy

1 Open the policy you want to configure.
2 Click on the Attributes tab. The following screen appears.

Select the policy

type

Select appropriate
storage unit or
storage unit group

Click Perform
snapshot backups

Click Retain
snapshot for Instant
Recovery or SLP
management

Click Perform off-

host backup and
specify a method

3 Select the Oracle policy type.

4 Select a policy storage unit from the Policy storage list.
Select a policy storage unit in this step even if you plan to select Instant
Recovery Snapshots Only later in this procedure.
NetBackup uses this storage unit for the stream-based backups of the control
files and the archived redo logs this policy includes.
5 Click Perform snapshot backups.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 165
About configuring Snapshot Client with NetBackup for Oracle

6 (Optional) Click Options to choose a snapshot method.

By default NetBackup chooses a snapshot method for you. To choose a
snapshot method, click auto (the default) or click one of the methods that are
presented in the list.
The snapshot method that you can use depends on your hardware environment
and software environment. Only certain snapshot methods are supported in
certain environments. See the NetBackup Snapshot Client Administrator’s
Guide or the supported platforms matrix on the Veritas Support website for
more information.
You can configure only one snapshot method per policy. For example, assume
that you want one snapshot method for clients a, b, and c, and a different
method for clients d, e, and f. Then you need to create two policies for each
group of clients and select one method for each policy.
7 (Optional) Select Retain snapshot for Instant Recovery or SLP management.
When this option is selected, NetBackup retains the snapshot backup image
on disk for later use in recovery.
8 (Optional) Select Perform off-host backup.
By default, the client that hosts the database performs the backup. If you want
to reduce the I/O processing load on the client that hosts the database, specify
an alternate client to perform the backup.
9 (Conditional) Select an off-host backup method.
The following off-host backup methods are available:

Use Alternate If you select Alternate client, also specify the name of the client
client (UNIX and to perform the backup. This option may require additional
Windows clients) configuration. The alternate client must be a client that shares the
disk array.

Use Data mover If you click Data mover, select Network Attached Storage.
(UNIX clients only).

10 Click the Schedules tab.

11 Click New.
12 Configure a schedule for the database files.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 166
About configuring Snapshot Client with NetBackup for Oracle

13 (Conditional) To create only disk images, in the Destination panel, under

Instant Recovery, select Snapshots only.
This setting suppresses NetBackup’s default behavior, which is to copy the
snapshot to a storage unit. When you select Snapshots only, NetBackup
creates the on-disk snapshot copy of the database, but it does not copy the
snapshot to a storage unit. The on-disk snapshot becomes the only backup
copy. Note that the on-disk snapshot is not considered to be a replacement
for a traditional backup.
14 (Conditional) On the Schedules tab, configure a backup schedule for the
control files or archived redo logs.
■ Oracle Intelligent Policy backup policy. Configure an Archived Redo Log
Backup schedule for this policy.
NetBackup uses this storage unit for the stream-based backups of the control
files and the logs that are included in this policy. NetBackup copies the
database’s control files and archived redo logs to the storage unit you select.
For UNIX clients, if you selected Third-Party Copy Device as an off-host
backup method, click Override policy storage unit. Then select a non-SAN
Media Manager or other storage unit type that is appropriate to back up the
control files and archived redo logs.
15 Configure the Clients, instances, or instance groups.
■ Oracle Intelligent Policy backup policy. On the Instances and Databases
tab, specify the instances or instance group, to be included in this policy.
■ Script-based backup policy. On the Clients tab, specify the clients to be
included in this policy.

16 On the Backup Selections tab, specify the correct setup depending on policy
setup.
■ Oracle Intelligent Policy backup policy. Use the radio button to select Whole
Database, Partial database – Tablespaces, Partial database – Datafiles,
Fast Recovery Area, Database Backup Shares, or Whole Database -
Datafile Copy Share when using this type of policy.
■ Script-based backup policy. Specify the backup script when you use this
type of policy.
More information is available about how to use scripts for a NetBackup for
Oracle policy with Snapshot Client.
See “About Snapshot Client effects” on page 177.
17 Configure other attributes and add any additional schedules and backup
selections.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 167
About configuring Snapshot Client with NetBackup for Oracle

See “Configuration requirements for snapshot backups with NetBackup for Oracle”
on page 162.
See “About configuring Snapshot Client with NetBackup for Oracle” on page 162.

Configuring a snapshot policy using a share on the NetBackup

appliance (Oracle Copilot)

Note: This feature requires a NetBackup appliance running software version 2.7.1
or later.

Use the following procedure to configure an Oracle snapshot policy that uses
Database Backup Shares or Whole Database - Datafile Copy Share options.
This procedure uses the Oracle Intelligent Policy, which makes configuration easier.
To configure a snapshot policy using a NetBackup appliance share
1 Open the policy you want to configure or create a new policy.
Do not use the Policy Configuration Wizard when performing this procedure.
2 Select the Attributes tab.
3 Select Oracle as the policy type if this policy is new.
4 Select a policy storage unit from the Policy storage list.
■ Policy storage
Oracle combines snapshots (proxy) and stream-based backups as part of the
same backup. The storage that is indicated here is used for the stream-based
part of the Database Backup Shares or Whole Database - Datafile Copy
Share backup.
Select a storage lifecycle policy that is configured to contain the stream-based
(non-snapshot) part of the database backup. The storage must use a storage
lifecycle policy that is configured for non-snapshot backups.
5 Select Perform snapshot backups.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 168
About configuring Snapshot Client with NetBackup for Oracle

6 Click Options to choose a snapshot method.

When you use the Database Backup Shares or Whole Database - Datafile
Copy Share options, remote_vxfs is the only valid snapshot method.

Note: If there is more than one backup share that is associated with the
database instance, then Maximum Snapshots should be set to number of
recovery points you want multiplied with number of backup shares. Example:
If you want three recovery snapshot points and the database instance is
associated with two backup shares then Maximum Snapshots should be set
to 6.

7 Select Retain snapshot for Instant Recovery or SLP management.

8 Select the Schedules tab.
9 Click New.
10 Configure a Full schedule for the database backup shares.
■ Type of backup: Select Full Backup. The Full Backup is used for both
the snapshot part of the database and the non-snapshot (stream-based)
part of the Oracle database.
■ Override policy storage selection: Enable and select the SLP that is
configured for a snapshot. (A snapshot SLP is one in which the first
operation is a snapshot operation.) This option must be enabled so that the
schedule storage overrides the policy storage with a snapshot SLP.
■ Retention: The retention for the streamed data is based on the
non-snapshot SLP that was indicated as the Policy storage in Step 4.
■ The non-snapshot SLP specified on the policy storage in Step 4
determines the retention for the streamed data.
■ The snapshot SLP that is specified as the schedule storage (Override
policy storage selection) determines the retention for the snapshot
data.

When Database Backup Shares or Whole Database - Datafile Copy Share

is selected, it is recommended that an SLP is set up to backup from the
snapshots and copy snapshots to a storage unit. NetBackup retains the
snapshot backup image on disk for later use in SLP management.
Click OK to save the schedule.
11 (Optional) On the Schedules tab, configure an Archived Redo Log Backup
schedule for the archived redo logs.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 169
Restoring NetBackup for Oracle from a snapshot backup

12 Select the Instances and Databases tab and specify the instances to back
up. The policy must include at least one instance. To continue to use the Oracle
Intelligent Policy method, select either Protect instances or Protect instance
groups.
13 On the Backup Selections tab, use the radio button to select Database
Backup Shares or Whole Database - Datafile Copy Share options.
14 (Optional) Configure other attributes and add any additional schedules.

Note: The NetBackup appliance media server can only be configured in a pure
IPv4 or dual stack IPv4/IPv6 mode.

See “Configuring a snapshot policy for NetBackup for Oracle” on page 163.
See “About Snapshot Client effects” on page 177.
See “Configuring an OIP using a share on the NetBackup appliance (Oracle Copilot)”
on page 88.

Restoring NetBackup for Oracle from a snapshot

backup
The following topics describe how to restore files, volumes, and file systems from
a snapshot backup:
■ See “About restoring individual files from a NetBackup for Oracle snapshot
backup” on page 169.
■ See “About NetBackup for Oracle restores of volumes and file systems using
snapshot rollback” on page 170.
■ See “Performing a NetBackup for Oracle point-in-time rollback restore from a
SnapVault backup (UNIX)” on page 171.
■

About restoring individual files from a NetBackup for Oracle snapshot

backup
Data that is backed up with Snapshot Client methods is restored in the same way
as data that is backed up without Snapshot Client methods.
Use this procedure for the files that were backed up with, or without, instant recovery
enabled. In all cases, Oracle determines the files that were backed up, and it initiates
a corresponding restore request to the database agent.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 170
Restoring NetBackup for Oracle from a snapshot backup

If instant recovery is enabled, NetBackup attempts to restore the file by using the
unique restore methods available with the instant recovery feature. The type of
restore method that NetBackup uses depends on your environment and the type
of backup performed. If NetBackup is unable to use any of the instant recovery
methods, it restores the file in the typical manner. Data is copied from the snapshot
to the primary file system. Information on the instant recovery methods that
NetBackup uses is available.
See the NetBackup Snapshot Client Administrator’s Guide.

About NetBackup for Oracle restores of volumes and file systems

using snapshot rollback
You can request that an entire volume or an entire file system be restored from an
instant recovery Snapshot backup. This type of a restore is called a point in time
rollback. All the data in the snapshot is restored; single file restore is not available
in a rollback.
See the NetBackup Snapshot Client Administrator’s Guide.
The following considerations are relevant for NetBackup for Oracle restores:
■ Snapshot rollback overwrites the entire volume.
■ With NetBackup for Oracle, snapshot rollback always performs file verification.
The agent checks for the following:
■ The requested files (number and names) are identical to those in the snapshot
■ The primary volume does not contain any files that were created after the
snapshot was made
If verification fails, the rollback aborts with status 249.

Performing a snapshot rollback restore using a script or

RMAN command
This topic describes how to perform a snapshot rollback restore using a script or
RMAN command.

Note: If the data file you want to restore has not changed since it was backed up,
the rollback may fail. Initiate the restore from a script and use the Oracle FORCE
option.

To specify a snapshot rollback restore using a script or RMAN command, follow

this example:
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 171
Restoring NetBackup for Oracle from a snapshot backup

■ If you want to use a shell script or RMAN command, set a new variable,
NB_PC_ORA_RESTORE=rollback

■ Example:

RUN {
allocate channel t1 'SBT_TAPE';
send 'NB_ORA_PC_RESTORE=rollback';
sql 'alter tablespace TEST offline immediate'
restore tablespace TEST;
recover tablespace TEST;
release channel t1;
}

Performing a NetBackup for Oracle point-in-time rollback

restore from a SnapVault backup (UNIX)
When you select a point-in-time rollback restore from a SnapVault backup,
NetBackup restores the entire subvolume (qtree) to a new subvolume (qtree) on
the primary host. The restore does not overwrite the existing subvolume. File
verification is not performed.
The format of the new subvolume name is as follows:
mountpointname_restore.timestamp

For example: subvol1_restore.2005.05.19.10h49m04s

To perform a NetBackup for Oracle point-in-time rollback restore from a
SnapVault backup (UNIX)
1 Unmount the original subvolume, which is the subvolume that the restore
process did not overwrite.
2 Rename the original subvolume.
3 Rename the new subvolume with the name of the original.
4 Mount the new subvolume on the client. Use the ALTER DATABASE RENAME
DATAFILE command to point to the restored data file on the newly created
subvolume.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 172
About configuring NetBackup for Oracle block-level incremental backups on UNIX

About configuring NetBackup for Oracle

block-level incremental backups on UNIX
If only a small portion of a database changes on a daily basis, full database backups
are costly in terms of time and media. The Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backup
interface extends the capabilities of NetBackup to back up only the file system
blocks that contain changed data blocks.
A database BLI backup is done at the file system block level, which means only
changed file blocks are backed up. Unchanged blocks within the files are not backed
up. The VxFS Storage Checkpoint facility tracks changed blocks in real time.
Accordingly, a BLI backup does not need to search the entire volume for the modified
blocks at backup time. BLI backup saves time, decreases the amount of backup
media that is required, and significantly reduces CPU and network overhead during
backups. In addition, BLI backup allows more frequent backups, so backup images
are more up to date.
BLI backup is particularly useful for any large databases that are sized in terms of
hundreds of gigabytes or terabytes. Most traditional methods for database backup
require that any change in the database—no matter how small—requires that the
entire database is backed up. With BLI backup, only modified blocks (or file) need
to be backed up.
The recommended method for performing BLI backups is the proxy BLI agent with
RMAN. This method supports the other features of NetBackup for Oracle, including
the policy types and schedules. It also remains tightly integrated with RMAN and
its catalog, which greatly simplifies administration tasks.
You can also perform backups with the script-based BLI method without RMAN.
See “About script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN”
on page 238.

Note: Veritas recommends that Snapshot Client users who want to perform BLI
backups use BLI with RMAN.
NetBackup for Oracle also provides a method for BLI backup without RMAN that
uses scripts to put tablespaces into, and take them out of, backup mode. This
method is not recommended, and it requires a significantly different configuration.
But for Oracle 12c, using script-based BLI backups without the use of RMAN are
not supported.

See “How BLI works with NetBackup for Oracle (UNIX)” on page 173.
See “Configuration requirements for BLI backups with NetBackup for Oracle”
on page 175.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 173
About configuring NetBackup for Oracle block-level incremental backups on UNIX

See “Configuring policies for BLI backups with NetBackup for Oracle” on page 175.
See “About NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client” on page 150.
See “How NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client works” on page 154.

How BLI works with NetBackup for Oracle (UNIX)

NetBackup supports BLI full backups and BLI incremental backups of Oracle
databases.
BLI backup supports two types of incremental backups: differential and cumulative.
Full, differential incremental, and cumulative incremental backups are specified as
part of the policy schedule configuration. When a restore is performed, NetBackup
restores an appropriate full backup. Then it applies the changed blocks from the
incremental backups.
Restoring any of the incremental backup images requires NetBackup to restore the
last full backup image and all the subsequent incremental backups. The restore
process continues until the specified incremental backup image is restored.
NetBackup performs this restore process automatically, and it is completely
transparent. The media that stored the last full backup and the subsequent
incremental backups must be available, or the restore cannot proceed.
Note that restoring a file rewrites all blocks in that file. The first subsequent
differential incremental backup and or all subsequent cumulative incremental
backups back up all the blocks in the restored file. After an entire database is
restored, the first subsequent backup results in a full backup.
The restore destination can be a VxFS, UFS (Solaris), JFS (AIX), or HFS (HP-UX)
file system. The destination VxFS file system does not need to support the Storage
Checkpoint feature to restore files. However, a VxFS file system with the Storage
Checkpoint feature is needed to perform BLI backups of the restored data.
This topic uses the following terms to describe BLI backups:
■ Full Backup.
A backup in which NetBackup backs up each database file completely, not just
data blocks that have changed since the last full or incremental backup.
■ Cumulative BLI Backup.
This type of backup is a backup of all the changed blocks in the database files
since the last full backup. A cumulative BLI backup image contains only the data
blocks of database files that changed since the last full backup. A cumulative
BLI backup can reduce the number of incremental backup images that must be
applied during a restore operation. This speeds up the restore process.
■ Differential BLI backup.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 174
About configuring NetBackup for Oracle block-level incremental backups on UNIX

A backup in which NetBackup performs a backup of only those data blocks

(within the database files) that changed since the last backup. The previous
backup can be of type full, cumulative incremental, or differential incremental.
When NetBackup initiates BLI backups, it creates, manages, and uses the
appropriate Storage Checkpoints of the filesystem(s) hosting the Oracle data file
systems. These Storage Checkpoints identify and maintain a list of modified blocks.

About the Storage Checkpoint facility and NetBackup for Oracle

The BLI backup methodology uses the Storage Checkpoint facility in the Veritas
File System (VxFS). This facility is available through the Storage Foundation for
Oracle.
The VxFS Storage Checkpoint facility keeps track of the file blocks modified by the
database since the last backup. NetBackup with BLI backup leverages this facility
to back up only changed blocks for an incremental backup. The entire volume or
file is not backed up.
VxFS Storage Checkpoint is a disk-efficient and I/O-efficient snapshot of file systems.
A Storage Checkpoint provides a consistent, stable view of a file system at the
instant when the file system was snapped or checkpointed. Instead of making a
physically separate copy of the file system, a Storage Checkpoint tracks changed
file system blocks. Disk space is saved and I/O overhead is significantly reduced.
Because the changed blocks are tracked, the VxFS Storage Checkpoint enables
BLI backups. VxFS Storage Checkpoint facility provides a consistent view of file
systems, which allows BLI backup to freeze the database image during database
backups.
The Storage Checkpoint operation is similar to the snapshot file system mechanism.
However, the Storage Checkpoint persists after a system restart which is unlike a
snapshot. Also, the Storage Checkpoint operation is totally transparent to backup
administrators. The Checkpoint image is managed and available only through
NetBackup or through the VxDBA utility for database backup available with the
Veritas Storage Foundation.
For more information on Storage Checkpoints, see the Veritas Storage Foundation
Administrator’s Guide.
You can take a Storage Checkpoint while the database is online or offline. To take
a Storage Checkpoint while the database is online, you must enable archive log
mode. During the creation of the Storage Checkpoint, all tablespaces are placed
in backup mode.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 175
About configuring NetBackup for Oracle block-level incremental backups on UNIX

Configuration requirements for BLI backups with NetBackup for

Oracle
Before you configure BLI backups, make sure that your configuration meets the
following requirements:
■ NetBackup for Oracle is installed, licensed, and configured.
■ NetBackup Snapshot Client is installed and configured, and the master server
must have a valid license for this option.
■ Veritas Storage Foundation for Oracle must be installed and configured.
■ Veritas File System must have Storage Checkpoint licensed.
For more information on requirements, see the NetBackup Snapshot Client
Administrator’s Guide.

Configuring policies for BLI backups with NetBackup for Oracle

This topic explains how to configure BLI backups for Oracle policies. BLI backups
do not back up all database objects. Include schedules to perform stream-based
backups.
Your backup configuration must ensure that the entire database can be successfully
restored.
See “Configuration requirements for BLI backups with NetBackup for Oracle”
on page 175.
To configure a policy for BLI backups, configure the following:
■ The BLI backup method on the policy attributes dialog box.
■ An Automatic Backup schedule to perform full and incremental snapshot
backups of the data files.
■ An Application Backup schedule to perform a stream-based backup of control
files and archived redo logs. These files are backed up with standard RMAN
operations.
To configure a policy for BLI backups
1 Open the policy you want to configure.
2 Click the Attributes tab.
3 From the Policy Type list, choose Oracle.
4 Select a Policy storage.
5 Select Perform block level incremental backups.
6 To configure schedules, click the Schedules tab.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 176
About configuring NetBackup for Oracle block-level incremental backups on UNIX

Oracle does not support proxy backups of database control files and archived
redo logs. To perform a whole database proxy backup, which automatically
includes a backup of the control file, configure the following:
■ One or more automatic backup schedules to perform proxy BLI backups
of the data files.
■ An Application Backup schedule type to back up the control files and
archived redo logs.

7 On the Clients tab, specify clients to be backed up with this policy.

8 On the Backup Selections tab, specify the script.
See “About the types of NetBackup for Oracle BLI backups” on page 176.
See “How BLI works with NetBackup for Oracle (UNIX)” on page 173.
See “About the Storage Checkpoint facility and NetBackup for Oracle” on page 174.
See “About configuring NetBackup for Oracle block-level incremental backups on
UNIX” on page 172.

About the types of NetBackup for Oracle BLI backups

NetBackup performs BLI backups with Automatic Full Backup, Automatic Differential
Incremental Backup, and Automatic Cumulative Incremental Backup schedules.
If a user initiates a backup and the proxy schedule name is not specified on the
request with the NB_ORA_PC_SCHED environment variable, the NetBackup server
starts an Full Backup schedule by default.
NetBackup for Oracle checks that a full backup was performed before it proceeds
with an incremental backup. If the NetBackup scheduler or user initiates an
incremental backup, and NetBackup for Oracle finds no record of a full backup
using the same policy, it performs a full backup.
To ensure that it has a proper set of images to restore, NetBackup performs a full
backup when it encounters the following situations:
■ If the number of backup streams that is specified changed from the previous
backup. This change can be made in the NB_ORA_PC_STREAMS environment
variable.
■ If NetBackup does not have a valid full backup image for the same policy in its
database. For example, this situation can occur if images were expired.
■ If a new file was added to or deleted from the list of files for an incremental
backup.
NetBackup for Oracle always initiates a full backup under these conditions, even
if you want to perform an incremental backup.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 177
About Snapshot Client effects

About Snapshot Client effects

The following topics describe how the Snapshot Client software affects backup
types, schedule properties, and scripts.
The following topics describe how the Snapshot Client software affects backup
types, schedule properties, scripts, and environment variables.

How Snapshot Client software affects backup types

The backup types available on the Schedules tab of the policy play a different role
for NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client backups.
See Table 6-3 on page 177.

Table 6-3 Backup types for Oracle policies

Backup type Description

Application Backup An application backup applies only to script-based policies not the
Oracle Intelligent Policies.

The Application Backup schedule stores stream-based backups.

The Default-Application-Backup schedule is automatically configured
as an Application Backup schedule.

Full backup The full and incremental backup schedule types automatically start
the backups by running the NetBackup for Oracle RMAN scripts.
Differential incremental
They also store the snapshot backups.
backup,
Note: For most snapshot types, any automatic backup schedule
Cumulative incremental
(full, cumulative, or differential) results in a full volume snapshot.
backup
BLI is the only snapshot method that can perform an incremental
backup.

See “How Snapshot Client software affects schedule properties” on page 177.
See “How Snapshot Client software affects scripts” on page 178.
See “ Oracle with Snapshot Client environment variables” on page 178.

How Snapshot Client software affects schedule properties

Some schedule properties have a different meaning for Snapshot Client database
backups than for a regular database backup. For a description of other schedule
properties, see the information that is specific to standard database agent backups.
See “About schedule properties ” on page 93.
Table 6-4 explains the properties for Snapshot Client backups.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 178
About Snapshot Client effects

Table 6-4 Schedule properties

Property Description

Retention Automatic Schedules:

Determines how long to retain history of the backups that the

master server schedules and also how long to retain snapshot
backups.

Application Schedules:

Determines how long to retain stream-based backups.

Multiple Copies For snapshot backup, configure Multiple copies on the automatic
backup schedule.

For stream-based backups, configure Multiple copies on the

Application backup schedule.

Frequency Determines how often an Automatic schedule executes a backup.

Does not apply to Application backup schedules.

How Snapshot Client software affects scripts

When you use a script, you must enable the advanced backup method for your
clients. Configure this method on the Attributes tab of the policy. At run time, the
agent checks the policy attributes to determine if a Snapshot Client backup method
is configured and performs a proxy file-based backup.
See “About creating shell scripts” on page 106.
If you use a script, the script must reside on each client that is included in the policy.
Include the RMAN backup proxy command in the script to perform the advanced
backup method. Sample scripts are included with the installation.
See “How Snapshot Client software affects backup types” on page 177.
See “How Snapshot Client software affects schedule properties” on page 177.
See “ Oracle with Snapshot Client environment variables” on page 178.

Oracle with Snapshot Client environment variables

You can use environment variables to change the number of streams the proxy
copy session uses or to specify an alternate backup schedule.
The following list shows the variables that you can set that are specific to NetBackup
for Oracle with Snapshot Client:
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 179
About Snapshot Client effects

NB_ORA_PC_SCHED The NetBackup for Oracle schedule NetBackup uses for

a proxy copy file-based backup. (This schedule can be Full,
Differential Incremental, or Cumulative Incremental backup
type).

For scheduled backups, this variable is passed from the

scheduler.

NB_ORA_PC_STREAMS Specifies the number of backup streams that NetBackup

starts simultaneously in each proxy copy session. When a
backup starts, NetBackup groups all data files into a
specified number of backup streams that are based on the
file sizes. NetBackup tries to create streams of equal size.

The default value for NB_ORA_PC_STREAMS is 1.

Only a user can set this variable.

For NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client, the order of precedence for
environment variables is the same as for standard NetBackup for Oracle. Refer to
the instructions for how to configure the NetBackup and the user variables.
See “About configuring the run-time environment” on page 99.
NetBackup for Oracle installs sample scripts in the following location:
Windows:

install_path\NetBackup\dbext\oracle\samples\rman

UNIX:

/usr/openv/netbackup/ext/db_ext/oracle/samples/rman

The following are the scripts for NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client that
show how to configure the required variables:

Windows: This script sets the environment and calls RMAN

hot_database_backup_proxy.cmd with the appropriate command to perform a whole
database proxy backup. When NetBackup runs a
UNIX:
schedule, it sets the environment variables that
hot_database_backup_proxy.sh
NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client uses.
The script shows how to use the RMAN send
command to pass the NetBackup for Oracle with
Snapshot Client variables with a vendor-specific
quoted string.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 180
About Oracle support for Replication Director

Windows: This script sets the environment and calls RMAN

hot_tablespace_backup_proxy.cmd with the appropriate command to perform a
tablespace proxy backup.
UNIX:
hot_tablespace_backup_proxy.sh

If you use scripts, use the send command to pass the environment variables to the
agent. The following example uses the send command to specify the values for
NB_ORA_PC_SCHED and NB_ORA_PC_STREAMS:

run {
allocate channel t1 type 'SBT_TAPE';
send 'NB_ORA_PC_SCHED= sched, NB_ORA_PC_STREAMS= number’;
backup proxy
(database format 'bk_%U_%t');
}

For more information, see the sample scripts that are provided with the agent.
See “How NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client works” on page 154.
See “Performing a snapshot rollback restore using a script or RMAN command”
on page 170.
See “Proxy backup examples” on page 159.
See “How Snapshot Client software affects backup types” on page 177.
See “How Snapshot Client software affects schedule properties” on page 177.
See “How Snapshot Client software affects scripts” on page 178.

About Oracle support for Replication Director

Replication Director can be used to create snapshots of the Oracle database and
replicate the snapshots to other NetApp disk arrays. To use Replication Director,
the Oracle database must exist on a NetApp NAS disk array. (It is not supported
on SAN storage at this time.)
Oracle snapshot backups that use Replication Director are supported on UNIX
platforms only.
The administrator can create an Oracle policy to use Replication Director by using
either the following methods:
■ The Oracle Intelligent Policy (recommended).
See “Configuring an Oracle Intelligent Policy using Replication Director”
on page 181.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 181
About Oracle support for Replication Director

■ Create a script-based Oracle policy.

See “Configuring a script-based Oracle policy” on page 187.
Table 6-5 describes the differences between the two methods:

Table 6-5 Differences in Oracle snapshot policy setup

Configuration Oracle Intelligent Policy Script-based Oracle policy

Scripts ■ All scripts that are necessary to protect all ■ NetBackup can continue to use custom scripts
parts of the database are automatically to perform database backups.
generated at run-time. ■ The administrator must know how to configure
■ The administrator does not need to know how RMAN scripts.
to configure RMAN scripts. ■ The administrator must set the retention levels
■ The retention levels for the different parts of for the different parts of the database
the database are automatically assigned. correctly.
■ The administrator must ensure that a
snapshot of the proxy data is created.

Schedules The administrator configures only one schedule The administrator must configure two schedules
that backs up all parts of the database and sets with two retentions:
the correct retention automatically.
■ One Full Backup schedule to back up the
The Archived Redo Log schedule is not snapshot (proxy) data part of the database.
supported with a snapshot backup. ■ One Application Backup schedule to back
up the stream-based part of the Oracle
database.

The Archived Redo Log schedule is available

with a configured script.

Backups User-directed backups are not supported. To User-directed backups are supported.
attempt a user-directed backup (results in a
status 240 (no schedules of the correct type exist
in this policy).

Load balancing RAC load balancing is not supported. RAC load balancing is supported.

Configuring an Oracle Intelligent Policy using Replication Director

Use the following procedure to configure an Oracle snapshot policy that uses
Replication Director. This procedure uses the Oracle Intelligent Policy, which makes
configuration easier.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 182
About Oracle support for Replication Director

To create an Oracle Intelligent Policy

1 In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, expand
NetBackup Management > Policies.
2 On the Actions menu, click New > New Policy.
3 Type a unique name for the new policy in the Add a New Policy dialog box
and click OK.
Do not use the Policy Configuration Wizard to configure a policy for
Replication Director.

4 Select the Attributes tab. The following items are specific to creating an Oracle
policy for snapshots with Replication Director:
■ Policy type
For NetBackup to perform Oracle backups, select Oracle. An Oracle tab
appears.
■ Policy storage
Oracle combines snapshots (proxy) and stream-based backups as part of
the same backup. The storage that is indicated here is used for the
stream-based part of the Replication Director backup.
Select a storage lifecycle policy that is configured to contain the
stream-based (non-snapshot) part of the database backup. The storage
must use a storage lifecycle policy that is configured for non-snapshot
backups.
■ Use Replication Director
Enable Use Replication Director to automatically select other options that
Replication Director requires:
■ Perform snapshot backups: Ensures that the policy creates snapshots
of the disk array.
■ Retain snapshots for Instant Recovery or SLP management: Ensures
that the policy retains the snapshot after the backup completes.
■ Options button
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 183
About Oracle support for Replication Director

Snapshot ■ Auto (default): The OpenStorage partner uses the best

Type snapshot technology available to that partner to create the
snapshot.
■ Differential: The OpenStorage partner creates a snapshot
that is completely dependent on the source. This parameter
is based on copy-on-write technology. The device creates a
cache object to maintain the original blocks of the snapshot
when the blocks are modified.
■ Plex: The OpenStorage Partner creates a snapshot that is
completely independent of the source snapshot. This option
is based on mirror-break-off technology. When a mirror device
is attached to the source, the contents of the mirror device is
exactly the same as the source device. When the relationship
is broken between the two, the mirror device is separated from
the source. The mirror device acts as a point-in-time copy.
■ Clone: The OpenStorage Partner creates an independent
copy of the volume. The copy process can take some time as
the entire copy must be complete. The snapshot that is created
is independent of the source.

Maximum Sets the maximum number of snapshots to be retained at one

Snapshots time.

The default setting is one. Choose the number of snapshots that

is appropriate for your environment. Note that the maximum
number of snapshots on a NetApp volume is 255.

When the maximum is reached, snapshot rotation occurs: The

next snapshot causes the oldest to be deleted.

Managed by SLP retention is automatically selected if the Fixed

or the Expire after Copy retention is currently selected in the
SLP.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 184
About Oracle support for Replication Director

5 Select the Schedules tab. Create one schedule:

■ Type of backup: Select Full Backup. The Full Backup is used for both
the snapshot (proxy) part of the database and the non-snapshot
(stream-based) part of the Oracle database.
The Oracle Intelligent Policy does not support the snapshot of an Archived
Redo Log Backup. To take a snapshot of the archived redo logs, use the
script-based Oracle policy method.

Note: Unless creating Block Level Incremental (BLI) backups, always select
Full Backup to create snapshots of the Oracle database.

■ Override policy storage selection: Enable and select the SLP that is
configured for snapshot replication. (A snapshot SLP is one in which the
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 185
About Oracle support for Replication Director

first operation is a snapshot operation.) This option must be enabled so

that the schedule storage overrides the policy storage with a snapshot SLP.
■ Retention: The retention for the streamed data is based on the
non-snapshot SLP that was indicated as the Policy storage in Step 4.
■ The non-snapshot SLP specified on the policy storage in Step 4
determines the retention for the streamed data.
■ The snapshot SLP that is specified as the schedule storage (Override
policy storage selection) determines the retention for the snapshot
data.

Click OK to save the schedule.

 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 186
About Oracle support for Replication Director

6 Select the Instances and Databases tab and specify the instances to back
up. The policy must include at least one instance. To continue to use the Oracle
Intelligent Policy method, select either Protect instances or Protect instance
groups.

Oracle Intelligent Policy

Method

Script- or template-
based Oracle policy
method

7 Select the Backup Selections tab. Select the parts of the database to back
up. Note that the selection applies to all listed instances.
The following can be selected for the policies that use Replication Director:
■ Whole database: Backs up the entire database (default).
■ Partial database - Tablespaces: Backs up the tablespaces.
■ Partial database - Datafiles: Backs up the data files.
■ Fast Recovery Area (FRA): Do not select for a policy that uses Replication
Director.
■ Database Backup Shares: Do not select for a policy that uses Replication
Director.
■ Whole Database - Datafile Copy Share: Do not select for a policy that
uses Replication Director.

Note: If you back up the partial database, and later want to perform a
Point-in-time rollback restore, make sure that you select all of the tablespaces
or data files from a partition in the Backup Selections.
For copy-back restores, this step is not a requirement.

8 Select the Oracle tab to configure Oracle RMAN properties.

9 When the policy configuration is complete, click OK.
See “Configuring a script-based Oracle policy” on page 187.
See “About Oracle support for Replication Director” on page 180.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 187
About Oracle support for Replication Director

Configuring a script-based Oracle policy

Use the following procedure to configure an Oracle snapshot policy that uses
Replication Director. This procedure uses an Oracle policy type, but does not
automatically generate the necessary scripts. It allows the administrator to use
custom scripts.
To create a script-based Oracle policy
1 In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, expand
NetBackup Management > Policies.
2 On the Actions menu, click New > New Policy.
3 Type a unique name for the new policy in the Add a New Policy dialog box
and click OK.
Do not use the Policy Configuration Wizard to configure a policy for
Replication Director.

4 Select the Attributes tab. The following items are specific to creating an Oracle
policy for snapshots with Replication Director:
■ Policy type
For NetBackup to perform Oracle backups, select Oracle. An Oracle tab
appears.
■ Policy storage
Oracle combines snapshots (proxy) and stream-based backups as part of
the same backup. The storage that is indicated here is used for the
stream-based part of the Replication Director backup.
Select the storage that is configured to contain the stream-based
(non-snapshot) part of the database backup. The storage can be either a
storage lifecycle policy that is configured for non-snapshot backups, or a
disk or Media Manager unit.
■ Use Replication Director
Enable Use Replication Director to automatically select other options that
Replication Director requires:
■ Perform snapshot backups: Ensures that the policy creates snapshots
of the disk array.
■ Retain snapshots for Instant Recovery or SLP management: Ensures
that the policy retains the snapshot after the backup completes.
■ Options button
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 188
About Oracle support for Replication Director

Snapshot ■ Auto (default): The OpenStorage partner uses the best

Type snapshot technology available to that partner to create the
snapshot.
■ Differential: The OpenStorage partner creates a snapshot
that is completely dependent on the source. This parameter
is based on copy-on-write technology. The device creates a
cache object to maintain the original blocks of the snapshot
when the blocks are modified.
■ Plex: The OpenStorage Partner creates a snapshot that is
completely independent of the source snapshot. This option
is based on mirror-break-off technology. When a mirror device
is attached to the source, the contents of the mirror device is
exactly the same as the source device. When the relationship
is broken between the two, the mirror device is separated from
the source. The mirror device acts as a point-in-time copy.
■ Clone: The OpenStorage Partner creates an independent
copy of the volume. The copy process can take some time as
the entire copy must be complete. The snapshot that is created
is independent of the source.

Maximum Sets the maximum number of snapshots to be retained at one

Snapshots time.

The default setting is one. Choose the number of snapshots that

is appropriate for your environment. Note that the maximum
number of snapshots on a NetApp volume is 255.

When the maximum is reached, snapshot rotation occurs: The

next snapshot causes the oldest to be deleted.

Managed by SLP retention is automatically selected if the Fixed

or the Expire after Copy retention is currently selected in the
SLP.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 189
About Oracle support for Replication Director

5 Select the Instances and Databases tab and specify the instances to back
up. Select Clients for use with scripts. If either of the other two are selected,
the Oracle Intelligent Policy is used and the scripts are created automatically.

Oracle Intelligent
Policy method

Script-based Oracle
policy method
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 190
About Oracle support for Replication Director

After you select the Clients for use with scripts option, a message appears
that describes the effect of this choice:
■ Existing selections (if any) for this policy are erased.
■ The Oracle tab is removed from this policy.
■ Another effect is that the Selections tab turns into the Clients tab.
Click Yes to continue Oracle policy configuration.

6 Click Yes to save and close the entire policy.

7 In the NetBackup Administration Console, select the policy and click the
refresh button in the toolbar.

8 Re-open the policy and select the Schedules tab.

Modify the Default-Application-Backup schedule:
■ Override policy storage selection: Enable and select a non-snapshot
storage unit or a non-snapshot SLP. This option is most likely the storage
unit that is specified on the Attributes tab. Indicating the option here, makes
the selection explicit.
■ Retention: The policy or SLP indicates the retention for the backup:
■ When the storage is an SLP, the SLP determines the retention and no
selection is possible here.
■ When the storage is not an SLP, the schedule determines the retention
and a selection is possible here.

Click OK to save the schedule.

 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 191
About Oracle support for Replication Director

Create one Full Backup schedule:

■ Name the schedule.
■ Type of backup: Select Full Backup.

Note: Unless creating Block Level Incremental (BLI) backups, always select
Full Backup to create snapshots of the Oracle database.

■ Override policy storage selection: Enable and select the SLP that is
configured for snapshot replication.
■ Retention: The SLP indicates the retention for the backup.
 NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client 192
About Oracle support for Replication Director

9 Configure the schedule in the Start Window tab and the Exclude Days tab.
Click OK to save and close the schedule.
10 Select the Clients tab. By default, the Clients for use with scripts option is
selected for this script-based Oracle policy.
11 Add the client names that contain the Oracle database and indicate the
operating system of each.
12 Select the Backup Selections tab. Specify the script that NetBackup should
use. Indicate only one script.
13 When the policy configuration is complete, click OK.
See “Configuring an Oracle Intelligent Policy using Replication Director” on page 181.
See “About Oracle support for Replication Director” on page 180.
 Chapter 7
NetBackup Dedupe Direct
for Oracle
This chapter includes the following topics:

■ About NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in

■ Verifying the operating system and platform compatibility

■ Before you install NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in

■ Installing NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in on the Oracle database
server

■ Using NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in

■ Uninstalling the NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in

About NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in

NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in is a lightweight plug-in that you can
use to store the data from RMAN backups to MSDP storage directly. The Oracle
DBA can control the whole protection and life-cycle stages without NetBackup client.
Oracle database administrator can deploy this plug-in with root or non-root
permissions and perform backup or restore jobs. It also enables client-side
deduplication to minimize network traffic and improves overall backup speed.
NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in includes a set of library of functions
that implements backup and restore with RMAN.
 NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle 194
Verifying the operating system and platform compatibility

Verifying the operating system and platform

compatibility
Verify that the NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in is supported on your
operating system or platform.
See the following NetBackup compatibility list for the NetBackup server and client
requirements:
veritas.com/content/support/en_US/article.100040093

Before you install NetBackup Dedupe Direct for

Oracle plug-in
Before you install and configure the NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in,
ensure that the following requirements are met:

Table 7-1 Requirements

Requirement Description

Database server ■ Oracle Database version: 11g R2 – 19c

■ Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7/8

See “Verifying the operating system and

platform compatibility” on page 194.

Limitations or restrictions Use Oracle user to install and manage the

plug-in.

NetBackup deduplication storage server Create MSDP storage server.

The storage server deduplicates the backups,

writes the data to the storage, and manages
the storage. A storage server is an entity that
writes to and reads from the storage. One
host functions as the storage server, and only
one storage server exists for each NetBackup
deduplication node. The host must be a
NetBackup media server. Although the
components of the storage server run on a
media server, the storage server is a separate
logical entity.
 NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle 195
Installing NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in on the Oracle database server

Table 7-1 Requirements (continued)

Requirement Description

Database administrator Prepare database administrator username

and password at NetBackup server.

Run the following command to create

username and password on the MSDP
server.

/usr/openv/pdde/pdcr/bin/spauser
--app -a -u <username> -p
<password>

For more information, see NetBackup

Deduplication Guide.

Firewall and ports For information about firewall and ports, see
About MSDP port usage topic of the
NetBackup Deduplication Guide.

Oracle stream handler Disable the Oracle stream handler.

See “Disabling Oracle stream handler”

on page 200.

Installing NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle

plug-in on the Oracle database server
Install NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in on all database servers. You
can enable the communication between Oracle database server and the MSDP
storage server by configuring the environment variables.
This plug-in can co-exist with the NetBackup Oracle client. You can also install the
plug-in along with the NetBackup Oracle client on the Oracle server. Following table
lists the backup and recovery capability.

Table 7-2 Backup and recovery capability

Backup Recovery from the Recovery from

plug-in directly NetBackup Oracle client

Backups from the plug-in Yes Yes

Backups from NetBackup No Yes

oracle client
 NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle 196
Using NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in

To install the plug-in on the database servers:

1 Download NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in.
2 Run the following command to install the plug-in.
command sbt_config with --install option

3 To ensure the communication between NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle

plug-in and the MSDP storage server, set the MSDP_DBA_USER and
MSDP_DBA_PASSWORD environment variables before you perform the backups.

export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=$LD_LIBRARY_PATH:/home/oracle/sbt/lib:/home/
oracle/sbt/ost-plugins
export MSDP_DBA_USER=<Your username>
export MSDP_DBA_PASSWORD=<Your password>

Using NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in

Configure the following to use NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in
■ Configure the NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in.
See “Configuring the NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in” on page 196.
■ Configure External Certificate Authority (ECA).
See “Configuring External Certificate Authority (ECA)” on page 198.
■ Configure Oracle RAC.
See “Configuring Oracle RAC” on page 200.
■ Disable Oracle stream handler.
See “Disabling Oracle stream handler” on page 200.
Perform backup directly to MSDP storage and restore directly from MSDP storage:
■ Perform the RMAN backup.
See “Performing the RMAN backup directly to MSDP server” on page 201.
■ Perform the RMAN restore directly from MSDP.
See “Performing the RMAN restore directly from the MSDP storage server”
on page 202.

Configuring the NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in

Update the rman.cfg configuration file to configure the NetBackup Dedupe Direct
for Oracle plug-in.
 NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle 197
Using NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in

To configure the NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in:

1 Use a text editor to open the rman.cfg file.
The rman.cfg file is available at <plugin installation path>/etc/.
2 Configure the parameters in this file that control the behavior of the NetBackup
Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in.
See “NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle rman.cfg file parameters” on page 197.
3 Save and close the file.

NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle rman.cfg file parameters

The following table lists the rman.cfg file parameters. Update this file to configure
NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in.

Table 7-3 rman.cfg file parameters

Settings Description

STORAGE_SERVER A valid MSDP server.

Default value: The host name of MSDP storage server.

The Oracle DBA provided during the plug-in installation.

RETENTION_LEVEL Retention level for current backups.

Possible values:

■ 0: 1 week
■ 1: 2 weeks
■ 2: 3 weeks
■ 3: 1 month
■ 4: 2 months
■ 5: 3 months
■ 6: 6 months
■ 7: 9 months
■ 8: 1 year

Default value: RETENTION_LEVEL=0

LSU_NAME A name of the MSDP LSU.

Administrator configures Cloud LSU name from MSDP

storage server to backup data to the cloud LSU.

Default value: LSU_NAME=PureDiskVolume, The default

value is local LSU name in target MSDP storage server.
 NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle 198
Using NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in

Table 7-3 rman.cfg file parameters (continued)

Settings Description

USER The MSDP app user.

Default value is the value that is provided during the plug-in

installation.

See About MSDP app users support topic in NetBackup

Deduplication Guide.

PASSWORD MSDP app user password.

Default value is the value that is provided during the plug-in

installation.

See About MSDP app users support topic in NetBackup

Deduplication Guide.

LOG_LEVEL A log level to specify the amount of information that is

written to the log file.
Possible values:

■ 0: Fatal
■ 1: Error
■ 2: Warning
■ 3: Info
■ 4: Debug
■ 5: Trace

Configuring External Certificate Authority (ECA)

If remote MSDP servers support ECA, you can configure the plug-in to communicate
with remote MSDP server.
For more information on the external CA support, see the NetBackup Security and
Encryption Guide.
 NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle 199
Using NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in

To configure an ECA
1 Ensure that the external certificate files are saved to the local directory on the
Oracle server that this plug-in can access.
2 Use a text editor to open the msdp_app.cfg file.
The msdp_app.cfg file is available under <plugin installation path>/etc/
directory:
See “ECA msdp_app.cfg file parameters” on page 199.
For example,

# ECA issue name

subjectname="cert subject name"
# ECA cert path
certpath="cert local path"/cert_chain.pem
# ECA private key path
privatekeypath="cert local path"/private/key.pem
# ECA passphrase file
passphrasefile="cert local path"/passphrasefile
# ECA certificate for trusted certs
truststorepath="cert local path"/trusted/cacerts.pem

ECA msdp_app.cfg file parameters

The following table lists the msdp_app.cfg file parameters.

Table 7-4 msdp_app.cfg file parameters

Settings Descriptions

subjectname A name of the ECA that issued a certificate.

Default value: The host name of MSDP storage server.

The Oracle DBA provided during the plug-in installation.

certpath ECA certificate path.

For example,

certpath="cert local path"/cert_chain.pem"

privatekeypath The ECA private key path.

For example,

certpath="cert local path"/private/key.pem"

 NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle 200
Using NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in

Table 7-4 msdp_app.cfg file parameters (continued)

Settings Descriptions

passphrasefile The ECA passphrase file.

For example,

certpath="cert local path"/passphrasefile"

truststorepath The ECA certificate for trusted certificates.

For example,

certpath="cert local
path"/trusted/cacerts.pem"

Configuring Oracle RAC

You must install the plug-in on each Oracle RAC node. After the installation, you
can update the configuration file to configure Oracle RAC.
To configure Oracle RAC:
1 Open the <installation path>/etc/msdp_app.cfg configuration file for
editing.
2 Set the same client name on all the Oracle RAC nodes.
For example, CLIENT=RAC_MY_CLIENT_NAME
3 Set the different policy names on each RAC node.
For example,
POLICY=RAC_node1_MY_POLICY_NAME on Oracle RAC node 1.
POLICY=RAC2_POLICY_NAME on Oracle RAC node 2.

Disabling Oracle stream handler

The Oracle stream handler is enabled by default. You can check the status of stream
handler using the cacontrol command line utility. Run the following command to
check the status of stream handler for each client.
/usr/openv/pdde/pdcr/bin/cacontrol --sth get Oracle
n132-h95.cdc.veritas.com agentless_policy

You can disable the Oracle stream handler by updating the marker.cfg configuration
file. This file is stored at the plug-in installation directory.
 NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle 201
Using NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in

To disable the Oracle stream handler:

1 Open the <installation path>/etc/msdp_app.cfg configuration file for
editing.
2 Change the ENABLE_STH value to 0 to disable the Oracle stream handler.
Default value is 1.

Performing the RMAN backup directly to MSDP server

Prerequisites to perform the RMAN backup directly to MSDP server:
■ Plug-in is installed correctly.
■ Plug-in installation path is added to OS environment variable
LD_LIBRARY_PATH.
■ The MSDP application user and password are created on MSDP server and
added as OS environment variable.
NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in includes a set of library of functions
that enable RMAN to work with NetBackup MSDP storage server. On UNIX,
NetBackup uses the RMAN SBT_LIBRARY parameter to link the RMAN server software
with the media management API library that NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle
plug-in installs.
Before you perform backup, use the SBT_LIBRARY parameter in the PARMS section
of the allocate channel in the RMAN script. In the RMAN script, modify the ALLOCATE
statement so that the SBT_LIBRARY parameter points to the NetBackup Dedupe
Direct for Oracle library, and specify the rman.cfg location in script. The rman.cfg
location is in etc directory under installed path.
For example,

RUN

ALLOCATE CHANNEL c1 DEVICE TYPE 'SBT_TAPE' PARMS 'SBT_LIBRARY=<plugin_install_path>

/lib/libmsdp_sbt.so, SBT_PARMS=(SBTCONFIG=<plugin_install_path>/etc/rman.cfg)';

backup FORMAT 'bk_d%d_u%u_s%s_p%p_t%t' DATABASE filesperset 1;

backup archivelog all format 'archlog_%d_%T_%s_%p';

RELEASE CHANNEL c1;

}
 NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle 202
Uninstalling the NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in

To perform the RMAN backup directly to MSDP server:

1 Set the environment variables LD_LIBRARY_PATH, App user, and password.
2 Update the default values.
3 Perform RMAN backup directly to MSDP storage server.

Performing the RMAN restore directly from the MSDP storage server
Make sure that a backup using the NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in
has completed successfully before you attempt a restore. You can run the rman
command from a command prompt on the client. Use the appropriate RMAN
command file as a parameter.
Before you perform restore, use the SBT_LIBRARY parameter in the PARMS section
of the allocate channel in the RMAN script. In the RMAN script, modify the ALLOCATE
statement so that the SBT_LIBRARY parameter points to the NetBackup Dedupe
Direct for Oracle library, and specify the rman.cfg location in script. The rman.cfg
location is in etc directory under installed path.
For example,

RUN
{
ALLOCATE CHANNEL ch00 TYPE 'SBT_TAPE' PARMS 'SBT_LIBRARY=<plugin_install_path>
/lib/libmsdp_sbt.so, SBT_PARMS=(SBTCONFIG=<plugin_install_path>/etc/rman.cfg)';
RESTORE DATABASE;
RECOVER DATABASE;
RELEASE CHANNEL ch00;
}

To perform the RMAN backup:

1 Set the environment variables SBT_LIBRARY, SBTCONFIG.
2 Update the default values.
3 Perform RMAN restore directly from the MSDP storage server.

Uninstalling the NetBackup Dedupe Direct for

Oracle plug-in
NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in provides the command to uninstall the
plug-in.
Run the following command to uninstall the plug-in:
 NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle 203
Uninstalling the NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in

Run uninstall ./bin/sbt_config --uninstall

 Chapter 8
Troubleshooting
This chapter includes the following topics:

■ About troubleshooting NetBackup for Oracle

■ About NetBackup for Oracle troubleshooting steps

■ NetBackup debug logs and reports

■ Enabling the debug logs manually (Windows)

■ Enabling the debug logs manually (UNIX)

■ About the NetBackup for Oracle log files

■ Setting the debug level on a Windows client

■ Setting the debug level on a UNIX client

■ About RMAN utility logs

■ Troubleshooting RMAN backup or restore errors

■ Troubleshooting NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client

■ Minimizing timeout failures on large database restores

■ Minimizing the loading and unloading of tapes for database backups

■ Enabling the debug logs manually for NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle
plug-in

About troubleshooting NetBackup for Oracle

NetBackup, NetBackup for Oracle, and the Oracle Recovery Manager (RMAN) all
provide reports on database backup, archive, and restore operations. These reports
are useful for finding the errors that are associated with those applications.
 Troubleshooting 205
About NetBackup for Oracle troubleshooting steps

For more information about debug logs and reports, refer to the NetBackup
Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.

About NetBackup for Oracle troubleshooting steps

When you troubleshoot NetBackup for Oracle problems, the following items are
referred to as the API:
■ On Windows, orasbt.dll is called the API.
■ On UNIX, the libobk module is called the API. Many media manager vendors
also call the libobk module DMO (Database Module).
To perform this procedure, ensure that NetBackup is properly installed and
configured:
 Troubleshooting 206
About NetBackup for Oracle troubleshooting steps

To perform general troubleshooting steps

1 When verifying your installation, ensure that the NetBackup for Oracle binaries
exist.
On UNIX, these are located in /usr/openv/netbackup/bin.
The binaries are as follows:

On Windows: The binary resides on the client and both the

install_path\NetBackup\bin\bphdb.exe NetBackup scheduler and the graphical user
interface uses the binary to start backups.
On UNIX: bphdb
The main purpose of bphdb is to run an
Oracle Intelligent Policy or a shell script that
calls rman, bporaexp, or bporaimp.

On Windows: Provides the functions that RMAN can call.

c:\Windows\System32\orasbt.dll

On UNIX: libobk A shared library module that contains the

functions that RMAN can call. This library is
loaded when RMAN is started. The name of
this binary depends on the operating system.

See “About linking Oracle RMAN with

NetBackup for UNIX” on page 38.

2 For the Oracle Intelligent Policy, verify that the following binaries exist.
On Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\bpdbsbora.exe
On Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\dbsbrman.dll
On UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/bpdbsbora
On UNIX: /usr/openv/lib/libdbsbrman.so (libdbsbrman.sl on HP-UX)
3 Check that both the NetBackup server and the client software work properly.
That is, check that normal operating system files can be backed up and restored
from the client. The NetBackup client must be running the same version of
software as the NetBackup server.
4 The logs can become very large, especially bpdbm. Ensure that enough free
disk space exists in the log directory disk partition.
5 Check that the following NetBackup log directories exist:
■ On the client: bpdbsbora, bporaexp (or bporaexp64), bporaimp (or
bporaimp64), dbclient, bphdb, bpfis, and bpcd.

■ On the master server: bprd and bpdbm.

 Troubleshooting 207
NetBackup debug logs and reports

■ On the host with the storage unit: bpbrm and bptm.

The VERBOSE level must be 5.
See “About troubleshooting NetBackup for Oracle” on page 204.
See “Troubleshooting each stage of the backup or restore” on page 214.
See “About RMAN utility logs” on page 213.

NetBackup debug logs and reports

The NetBackup server and client software let you enable detailed debugging logs.
The information in these log files can help you troubleshoot the problems that occur
outside of either the database agent or RMAN.
Note the following with regard to these logs:
■ These logs do not reveal the errors that occur when RMAN is running unless
those errors also affect NetBackup. Oracle may (or may not) write errors in the
application to the NetBackup logs. Your best sources for Oracle error information
are the logs provided by Oracle.
■ Generally, each debug log corresponds to a NetBackup process and executable.
However, for an RMAN backup, the debug log is created in the dbclient
directory, which has no corresponding executable.
More detailed information about the debug log files is available.
See the NetBackup Troubleshooting Guide.
Also refer to the following file:
Windows:

install_path\NetBackup\logs\README.debug file

UNIX:

/usr/openv/netbackup/logs/README.debug file

NetBackup provides other reports that are useful in isolating problems. One such
report is All Logs Entries on the server. Information on server reports is available.
See the NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.

Enabling the debug logs manually (Windows)

To create the NetBackup for Oracle for Windows database agent logs manually
1 Create the following directories on the client:
 Troubleshooting 208
Enabling the debug logs manually (Windows)

■ bphdb
For any backup that is initiated from an automated schedule on the master
server.

install_path\NetBackup\logs\bphdb

■ bpdbsbora
For any OIP backup restore operations.

install_path\NetBackup\logs\bpdbsbora

■ dbclient
For any backup or restore using RMAN.

install_path\NetBackup\logs\dbclient

■ bpbkar
For any snapshot backup.

install_path\NetBackup\logs\bpbkar

■ tar
For any snapshot restore.

install_path\NetBackup\logs\tar

2 Verify the user or group that the Oracle process (process that loads
orasbt.dll) has appropriate permissions to write to the following directories
if they exist. If the following directories do not exist, the directories are created
automatically with the correct permissions.
install_path\NetBackup\logs\user_ops

install_path\NetBackup\logs\user_ops\dbext

install_path\NetBackup\logs\user_ops\dbext\logs

Also verify that the user or group that the Oracle process runs as has
appropriate permissions to write to the log directories in step 1.
 Troubleshooting 209
Enabling the debug logs manually (UNIX)

3 On the NetBackup server or servers, create the debug log directories for the
legacy processes that interact with the Oracle agent.
On the master server:
install_path\NetBackup\logs\bprd

On the media server or servers:

install_path\NetBackup\logs\bpbrm

install_path\NetBackup\logs\bptm

4 The debug logs for unified processes on the server and the client hosts are
created automatically by NetBackup.
NetBackup writes unified logs to install_path\NetBackup\logs.
For information on how to use logs and reports, see the NetBackup
Troubleshooting Guide.

Enabling the debug logs manually (UNIX)

To create the NetBackup for Oracle for UNIX database agent logs manually
1 Create the following directories on the client:
■ bphdb
For any backup that is initiated from an automated schedule on the master
server.

/usr/openv/netbackup/logs/bphdb

■ bpdbsbora
For any OIP backup restore operations.

/usr/openv/netbackup/logs/bpdbsbora

■ dbclient
For any backup or restore using RMAN.

/usr/openv/netbackup/logs/dbclient

■ bpbkar
For any snapshot backup.

/usr/openv/netbackup/logs/bpbkar
 Troubleshooting 210
About the NetBackup for Oracle log files

■ nbtar
For any snapshot restore.

/usr/openv/netbackup/logs/tar

2 Verify the user or group that the Oracle process (process that loads libobk)
has appropriate permissions to write to the following directories if they exist. If
the following directories do not exist, the directories are created automatically
with the correct permissions.
/usr/openv/logs/user_ops

/usr/openv/logs/user_ops/dbext

/usr/openv/logs/user_ops/dbext/logs

Also verify that the user or group that the Oracle process runs as has
appropriate permissions to write to the log directories in step 1.
3 On the NetBackup server or servers, create the debug log directories for the
legacy processes that interact with the Oracle agent.
On the master server:
/usr/openv/logs/bprd

On the media server or servers:

/usr/openv/logs/bpbrm

/usr/openv/logs/bptm

4 The debug logs for unified processes on the server and the client hosts are
created automatically by NetBackup.
NetBackup writes unified logs to /usr/openv/logs.
For information on how to use logs and reports, see the NetBackup
Troubleshooting Guide.

About the NetBackup for Oracle log files

Table 8-1 describes the logs that are created when you create the log directories.
Use a text editor to view the contents of the logs.
The logs are located in the following directories:
Windows: install_path\NetBackup\logs\<cmd>
UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/logs/<cmd>
 Troubleshooting 211
About the NetBackup for Oracle log files

For example, the logs for bphdb all appear in the

install_path\NetBackup\logs\bphdb directory (Windows) or the
/usr/openv/netbackup/logs/bphdb directory (UNIX).

Table 8-1 Log files

Log directory Description

bphdb The bphdb directory contains the following types of logs:

■ Windows: obk_stdout.mmddyy.hhmmss.txt
UNIX: obk_stdout.mmddyy
Unless it is redirected elsewhere, NetBackup writes the shell script output to this
file.
■ Windows: obk_stderr.mmddyy.hhmmss.txt
UNIX: obk_stderr.mmddyy
Unless it is redirected elsewhere, NetBackup writes any shell script errors to this
file.
■ Windows: mmddyy.log
UNIX: log.mmddyy
This log contains debugging information for the bphdb process. bphdb is the
NetBackup database backup binary. It is invoked when an automatic backup
schedule is run. NetBackup for Oracle uses this client process for the shell script
execution.

dbclient The dbclient directory contains the following execution log:

■ Windows: mmddyy.log
■ UNIX: log.mmddyy

This log contains debugging information and execution status for the Oracle for
NetBackup client processes.

On Windows, the processes are linked to the library program that is provided with
NetBackup for Oracle.

On UNIX, this library program is libobk.

bpdbsbora The bpdbsbora directory contains the following execution log:

■ Windows: mmddyy.log
■ UNIX: log.mmddyy

NetBackup for Oracle OIP uses this log for backup and recovery.

bporaexp64 The bporaexp (or bporaexp64 on UNIX) directory contains the following execution
log:

■ Windows: mmddyy.log
■ UNIX: log.mmddyy.log
 Troubleshooting 212
Setting the debug level on a Windows client

Table 8-1 Log files (continued)

Log directory Description

bporaimp64 The bporaimp (or bporaimp64 on UNIX) directory contains the following execution
log:

■ Windows: mmddyy.log
■ UNIX: log.mmddyy

See “About troubleshooting NetBackup for Oracle” on page 204.

See “About NetBackup for Oracle troubleshooting steps” on page 205.

Setting the debug level on a Windows client

To control the amount of information that is written to the debug logs, change the
Database debug level. Typically, the default value of 0 is sufficient. However,
technical support may ask you to set the value higher to analyze a problem.
The debug logs are located in install_path\NetBackup\logs.
To change the amount of debug information in other log directories, set the other
debug levels. For instance, Verbose.
To set the debug level on a Windows client
1 Open the Backup, Archive, and Restore interface.
2 Select File > NetBackup Client Properties.
3 Click the Troubleshooting tab.
4 Set the General debug level.
5 Set the Verbose debug level.
6 Set the Database debug level.
7 Click OK to save your changes.
8 Stop and start the Oracle database services. This action is necessary for
orasbt.dll to pick up the new debug level.

Setting the debug level on a UNIX client

To control the amount of information that is written to the debug logs, change the
“Database” debug level. Typically, the default value of 0 is sufficient. However,
Technical Support may ask you to set the value higher to analyze a problem.
 Troubleshooting 213
About RMAN utility logs

The debug logs are located in /usr/openv/netbackup/logs.

To set the debug level on a UNIX client
Enter the following line in the bp.conf file.

VERBOSE = X

Where X is the debug level you want.

About RMAN utility logs

RMAN uses a command language interpreter, and it can be run in interactive or
batch mode. You can use the following syntax to specify a log file on the command
line to record significant RMAN actions:

msglog ‘logfile_name’

Troubleshooting RMAN backup or restore errors

An RMAN backup error can originate from NetBackup or from Oracle, as follows:
■ On the NetBackup side, an error can be from the API, from the NetBackup server
or client, or from Media Manager.
■ On the Oracle side, an error can be from RMAN or from the target database
instance.
Veritas suggests that you use the following steps when troubleshooting a failed
operation:
■ Check the logs to determine the source of the error.
■ Troubleshoot each stage of the backup or restore.

Verifying the RMAN script on UNIX

The following procedure describes how to verify that the RMAN script works
correctly.
 Troubleshooting 214
Troubleshooting RMAN backup or restore errors

To verify the RMAN script

1 Use RMAN to make a backup directly to disk. Do not use NetBackup.
2 Use RMAN with NetBackup to create a backup.
3 Look for log files under the /usr/openv/netbackup/logs/dbclient directory
structure.
On UNIX all Oracle users are non-root so the logs files are in the
/usr/openv/netbackup/logs//dbclient/<users_dir> directory.

If no log file exists, libobk is not linked into Oracle properly.

See “Testing configuration settings for NetBackup for Oracle” on page 111.
See “About troubleshooting NetBackup for Oracle” on page 204.
See “About NetBackup for Oracle troubleshooting steps” on page 205.

Troubleshooting each stage of the backup or restore

The following explains the sequence of events for an action initiated by RMAN and
suggests solutions for the problems that can occur at each point in the sequence:
■ rman starts.

A backup or restore can be started in any of the following ways:

■ From an RMAN backup or restore initiated from the operating system prompt
such as:

rman target user/pwd[@TNS_alias] \

rcvcat user/pwd[@TNS_alias]\
cmdfile RMAN_script_file_name

Where the RMAN_script_file_name is fully qualified.

■ Manually from the administrator interface on the master server.
■ Automatically by an automatic backup schedule.
If an error occurs now, check the RMAN log.

■ RMAN verifies its environment and then issues requests to the API.
On Windows, some information, such as the NetBackup version, API versions,
and trace file name, is registered with RMAN. An error now is usually due to a
problem with client and server communication. Check the messages in the bprd
and the bpcd logs for clues.
On UNIX, some information, such as the NetBackup version, API versions, trace
file name, and NetBackup signal handlers, is registered with RMAN. An error
now is usually due to a problem with client and server communication. Check
 Troubleshooting 215
Troubleshooting RMAN backup or restore errors

the messages in the bprd and the bpcd logs for clues. Also verify the bp.conf
entries on the client.
■ RMAN issues a backup or restore request.
The API gathers necessary parameters and sends the backup or restore
request to the NetBackup server. The API waits until both the server and client
are ready to transfer data before it returns to the request.
The API then sends this information to the master server’s bprd process.
To troubleshoot a problem in this part of the first sequence, examine the following
file:
Windows:

install_path\NetBackup\logs\dbclient\mmddyy.log

UNIX:

/usr/openv/netbackup/logs/dbclient/log.mmddyy

If the bprd process failed, check the logs for bprd and bpbrm.
A failure now is frequently due to bad NetBackup server or Oracle policy
configuration parameters.
NetBackup can usually select the correct Oracle policy and schedules. But
NetBackup can select a policy or schedule in error if there are several Oracle
policies in its database.
On Windows, try setting the SERVER and NB_ORA_POLICY values in the client
environment.
On UNIX, try setting the SERVER and POLICY values in the bp.conf file on the
client or by setting environment variables.
For example, the following C Shell setenv commands specify the Oracle policy,
schedule, and server for NetBackup to use:

setenv NB_ORA_POLICY policyname

setenv NB_ORA_SCHED application_backup_schedule_name
setenv NB_ORA_SERV Netbackup_server

■ RMAN issues read or write requests to the API, which then transfers data to or
from the NetBackup server.
A failure here is probably due to NetBackup media, network, or time-out errors.
■ RMAN tells the API to close the session.
The API waits for the server to complete its necessary actions (for example, it
verifies the backup image) and then exits.
An error can originate from either NetBackup or RMAN, as follows:
 Troubleshooting 216
Troubleshooting NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client

■ RMAN aborts if it encounters an error while it reads a data file during the
backup (for example, if Oracle blocks are out of sequence). It also aborts if
NetBackup sends a bad backup image during the restore.
■ NetBackup might return an error code to the API if for some reason it could
not complete the backup successfully.

See “About troubleshooting NetBackup for Oracle” on page 204.

See “Minimizing timeout failures on large database restores” on page 217.
See “Troubleshooting each stage of the XML export or XML import” on page 290.
See “About NetBackup for Oracle troubleshooting steps” on page 205.

Troubleshooting NetBackup for Oracle with

Snapshot Client
Debug logs used for troubleshooting the problems that occur with NetBackup and
NetBackup for Oracle have been discussed in previous areas. In addition to those
logs, there are debug logs used for troubleshooting NetBackup for Oracle with
Snapshot Client.
Snapshot Client backup and debug messages are written to the following
subdirectories of:
Windows:

install_path\NetBackup\logs

UNIX:

/usr/openv/netbackup/logs/

The logs are as follows:

■ The bpbrm log is on the NetBackup media server.
■ The bptm/bpdm log is on the NetBackup media server.
■ The bpbkar log is on the NetBackup client and alternate client.
■ The bpfis log is on the NetBackup client and alternate client.
■ The bppfi log is on the NetBackup client or alternate client.
Snapshot Client restore and debug messages are written to the following
subdirectories on the NetBackup master server:
■ The bprestore is almost always a client log on the NetBackup host that initiated
the restore by using the bprestore command.
 Troubleshooting 217
Minimizing timeout failures on large database restores

■ The bprd is on the NetBackup master server.

■ The bpbrm is on the NetBackup master server.
■ The bptm/bpdm is on the NetBackup media server. Both the tape and the disk
backup log to bptm, disk backups also log to bpdm.
■ The tar is on the NetBackup client or redirected client.
Additional help for troubleshooting most installation and other issues is available
in the NetBackup Snapshot Client Administrator’s Guide.
See “About NetBackup for Oracle troubleshooting steps” on page 205.

Minimizing timeout failures on large database

restores
Large database restores sometimes fail when multiple restore sessions compete
for resources. In this situation, a restore session can be delayed while waiting for
media or device access. If the delay is too long, the restore session times out. Use
the following procedure to minimize session timeouts and to allow the restores to
complete successfully.
To minimize timeout failures on large database restores
1 In the NetBackup Administration Console, expand NetBackup Management
> Host Properties > Clients.
2 Double-click the client.
3 Select the Timeouts properties.
4 Set the Client read timeout property to a large value.
The default for the Client read timeout setting is 300 seconds (5 minutes).
For database agent clients, increase the value significantly from the
recommended value.
See the NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume 1.
For example, change this setting to 30-60 minutes to minimize timeout errors.
5 Click OK for each client.

Note: This change may delay detecting problems during subsequent backups.
Consider putting the original value back in place once any restore that requires a
change is complete.
 Troubleshooting 218
Minimizing the loading and unloading of tapes for database backups

Minimizing the loading and unloading of tapes for

database backups
You can minimize excessive unloading and reloading of tapes between
multistreamed database backups by changing the media settings for the master or
the media server.
See the NetBackup Administration Guide, Volume 1 for details.
To minimize loading and unloading of tapes
1 Open the NetBackup Administration Console.
2 Choose Host Properties.
3 Choose Master Servers or Media Servers.
4 Double-click on the name of the server.
5 In the left pane, click Media.
6 Configure the following settings:
■ Media unmount delay
■ Media request delay
Use this variable only with non-robotic drives, such as tape stackers.

Enabling the debug logs manually for NetBackup

Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in
The configuration files are stored at the installation directory, under the folders etc
and ost-plugins.
You can configure debugging log settings in two configuration files: /etc/rman.cfg
and /ost-plugins/pd.conf
 Troubleshooting 219
Enabling the debug logs manually for NetBackup Dedupe Direct for Oracle plug-in

Table 8-2 rman.cfg file settings:

Settings Description

LOG_LEVEL Following are the log levels:

■ 0 Fatal
■ 1 Error
■ 2 Warning
■ 3 Info
■ 4 Debug
■ 5 Trace

The default log level is 3.

LOG_MAXSIZE Maximum size per log file. The default value

is 100 MB.

LOG_RETENTION Maximum days log files to keep. The default

value is 90 days.

Table 8-3 pd.conf file settings

Settings Description

LOGLEVEL Log levels are from 0 to 10.

The default log level is 2.

MAX_LOG_MBSIZE Maximum size per log file. The default value

is 100 MB.
 Appendix A
Deduplication best
practices
This appendix includes the following topics:

■ Optimizing and deduplicating stream-based and proxy copy Oracle backups

■ Oracle stream handler

■ Configuring a stream-based Oracle backup

■ Example RMAN script for a stream-based backup

■ Editing the RMAN script and configuring NetBackup for Oracle for a proxy copy
backup

■ Example RMAN script for a proxy copy backup

Optimizing and deduplicating stream-based and

proxy copy Oracle backups
NetBackup enables you to perform optimized deduplication of Oracle databases.
You can perform either a stream-based backup or a proxy copy backup.
Veritas recommends that you perform a proxy copy if the database consists of many
small tablespaces. A proxy copy is also recommended if the DBA or the backup
administrator does not want to set FILESPERSET=1.
To configure a proxy copy Oracle backup, you need to edit the RMAN script and
configure NetBackup for Oracle.
See “Editing the RMAN script and configuring NetBackup for Oracle for a proxy
copy backup” on page 228.
 Deduplication best practices 221
Optimizing and deduplicating stream-based and proxy copy Oracle backups

For stream-based backups, Veritas recommends that you specify FILESPERSET=1

for all Oracle database backups. When FILESPERSET=1 is specified, Oracle
generates the backup set identically each time. The backup set is generated with
the same data from the same files in the same sequence each time the database
is backed up. This uniformity ensures better deduplication. In addition, when
FILESPERSET=1 is in effect, Oracle does not perform multiplexing, so Oracle includes
only one file in each backup set. If FILESPERSET is specified with a number other
than 1, Oracle groups files together unpredictably and deduplication rates suffer.
You may also want to increase the number of channels that are allocated to the
backup, if possible.
It is recommended that you test your database backups by running both
stream-based backups and proxy copy backups. Measure the deduplication rates
and the backup times, and see which method fits best in your environment. The
Oracle database files themselves benefit the most from deduplication. Typically,
the archive logs and the control files are unique, so they benefit less from
deduplication.
Deduplication performs best when used in the following ways:

Stream deduplication The Oracle Intelligent Policy detects both

ASM and non-ASM environments to generate
the correct backup scripts ensuring good
deduplication rates. In a non-ASM
environment, scripts are generated that are
a non-snapshot proxy backup. In an ASM
environment, scripts are generated that set
FILESPERSET=1 if this command has not
been modified in a backup policy.

You may need to create a custom script for

your environment. However, in most
situations, the Oracle Intelligent Policy creates
the script that is needed for your environment.

Snapshot deduplication When you use snapshot deduplication,

nothing changes and NetBackup proxy
snapshot backup is performed. If ASM is
detected, an error is displayed. Snapshot
backup is not allowed in an ASM
environment.
 Deduplication best practices 222
Oracle stream handler

Note: In OIP when deduplication storage is used and a stream-based backup is

selected, the policy overrides and attempts to perform a proxy backup. The override
is attempted if NO ASM storage is found in the database. The
ORACLE_OVERRIDE_DATA_MOVEMENT setting in the bp.conf file can be used to override
this behavior.
Set ORACLE_OVERRIDE_DATA_MOVEMENT=1 to always do streaming.
Set ORACLE_OVERRIDE_DATA_MOVEMENT=2 to always do proxy.
Set ORACLE_OVERRIDE_DATA_MOVEMENT=>2 to maintain standard behavior.
On UNIX you can edit the /usr/openv/netbackup/bp.conf file.
On Windows you can use the bpsetconfig command
(install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd\bpsetconfig) on the server to set the
client’s configuration. See the following example:
bpsetconfig -h myoracleclient

ORACLE_OVERRIDE_DATA_MOVEMENT = 1

For information about the backup methods, see the following:

■ See “Configuring a stream-based Oracle backup” on page 225.
■ See “Editing the RMAN script and configuring NetBackup for Oracle for a proxy
copy backup” on page 228.

Oracle stream handler

The Oracle stream handler is not enabled by default for existing and new Oracle
clients in NetBackup 8.3. Also, the Oracle stream handler only supports
stream-based backups and you can enable and disable the Oracle stream handler
per <client> <policy> combination using the cacontrol command line utility.
In NetBackup 10.0, the Oracle stream handler is enabled (by default) for all new
clients that have no existing images. As with previous versions, the Oracle stream
handler only supports stream-based backups and you can configure the Oracle
stream handler using the cacontrol command line utility. You can enable and
disable the stream handler per the following:
■ Policy and client
■ Policy level
■ Stream type level
 Deduplication best practices 223
Oracle stream handler

Note: When you use the Oracle stream handler, it is not recommended to use
variable-length deduplication.

The cacontrol command utility with the --sth flag, is used to override the default
behavior of NetBackup by creating a Marker Entry for a client, policy, or stream
type in a configuration file. The cacontrol command utility is located in the following
locations:
■ Windows: install_path\Veritas\pdde\cacontrol
■ UNIX: /usr/openv/pdde/pdcr/bin/cacontrol
In the following examples for cacontrol, STHTYPE must be set to Oracle to
configure the Oracle stream handler.
In NetBackup 8.3, you can configure cacontrol using the following options:
■ You can query the settings for the stream handler per client and policy.

cacontrol --sth get <STHTYPE> <CLIENT> <POLICY> [SPAUSER]

■ You can enable the stream handler per client and policy.

cacontrol --sth update

<STHTYPE> <CLIENT> <POLICY> [SPAUSER] <enabled>

■ You can delete the settings for client and policy (return to default behavior).

cacontrol --sth delete <STHTYPE> <CLIENT> <POLICY> [SPAUSER]

■ You can disable the stream handler on a client and policy.

cacontrol --sth update

<STHTYPE> <CLIENT> <POLICY> [SPAUSER] <disabled>

Note: When you use cacontrol to set <POLICY> or <STHTYPE> to enabled,

NetBackup enables all the old clients which have existing images. The deduplication
rate decreases significantly only at the first backup after enabled. Also, the storage
usage increases only in the first backup after enabled. Basically, NetBackup behaves
as if you have run a first full backup. Both the deduplication rate and storage usage
improve after initial activation of the stream handler.

When using the cacontrol command utility to create a Marker Entry in NetBackup
10.0, priority is given to the more granular configuration. For example:
 Deduplication best practices 224
Oracle stream handler

Marker Entry 1: <Client1> <Policy1> to enabled

Marker Entry 2: <Policy1> to disabled

The stream handler is enabled because the more granular configuration in Marker
Entry 1 has higher priority.

In NetBackup 10.0, you can configure cacontrol using the following options:
■ You can query the settings for the stream handler per client and policy.

cacontrol --sth get <STHTYPE> <CLIENT> <POLICY> [SPAUSER]

■ You can enable the stream handler per client and policy.

cacontrol --sth update

<STHTYPE> <CLIENT> <POLICY> [SPAUSER] <enabled>

■ You can delete the settings for a client and policy (return to default behavior).

cacontrol --sth delete <STHTYPE> <CLIENT> <POLICY> [SPAUSER]

■ You can disable the stream handler on a client and policy.

cacontrol --sth update

<STHTYPE> <CLIENT> <POLICY> [SPAUSER] <disabled>

■ You can query the settings for the stream handler per policy.

cacontrol --sth getbypolicy <STHTYPE> <POLICY> [SPAUSER]

■ You can enable the stream handler per policy.

cacontrol --sth updatebypolicy

<STHTYPE> <POLICY> [SPAUSER] <enabled>

■ You can delete the settings for the stream handler per policy (return to default
behavior).

cacontrol --sth deletebypolicy <STHTYPE> <POLICY> [SPAUSER]

■ You can disable the stream handler per policy.

cacontrol --sth updatebypolicy

<STHTYPE> <POLICY> [SPAUSER] <disabled>

■ You can query the settings for the stream handler per stream handler type.
 Deduplication best practices 225
Configuring a stream-based Oracle backup

cacontrol --sth getbytype <STHTYPE> [SPAUSER]

■ You can enable a stream handler per stream handler type.

cacontrol --sth updatebytype <STHTYPE> [SPAUSER] <enabled>

■ You can delete the settings for a stream handler (return to default behavior).

cacontrol --sth deletebytype <STHTYPE> [SPAUSER]

■ You can disable the stream handler per stream handler type.

cacontrol --sth updatebytype <STHTYPE> [SPAUSER] <disabled>

See “Oracle tab” on page 81.

See “Creating an Oracle Intelligent Policy (OIP)” on page 69.

Configuring a stream-based Oracle backup

The following procedure explains how to reconfigure an existing Oracle RMAN
specification to achieve a stream-based, optimized, deduplicated Oracle backup.
To configure a stream-based Oracle backup
1 On the client computer that hosts the Oracle database, open the RMAN backup
script in a text editor, and make the following edits:
■ Add the FILESPERSET=1 parameter to the part of the RMAN script that
specifies how you want to back up the database.
Do not add FILESPERSET=1 to the section of the RMAN script that specifies
how to back up the control files or archive logs. Typically, these other data
objects are unique to each backup, so there is very little potential gain from
optimizing the control file and archive log backups for deduplication.
Example RMAN script after editing:

BACKUP
FILESPERSET=1
%BACKUP_TYPE%
FORMAT 'bk_u%%u_s%%s_p%%p_t%%t'
DATABASE;

The addition of FILESPERSET=1 suppresses Oracle multiplexing of more

than one data file into a backup set. When you suppress Oracle multiplexing,
Oracle creates the backup set identically each time the backup runs.
NetBackup can deduplicate these identical backup sets.
 Deduplication best practices 226
Configuring a stream-based Oracle backup

■ Specify parallel backup streams for the database backup.

Specify appropriate ALLOCATE CHANNEL and RELEASE CHANNEL parameters
in the backup script.
For an example that shows an edited backup script, see the following:
See “Example RMAN script for a stream-based backup” on page 227.
2 Disable Oracle's optimization and encryption for the duration of the database
backup.
By default, Oracle disables optimization and encryption. If optimization and
encryption are enabled, run the following RMAN commands from the command
line to disable optimization and encryption:

RMAN> CONFIGURE BACKUP OPTIMIZATION OFF;

RMAN> CONFIGURE ENCRYPTION FOR DATABASE OFF;

If your site requires encryption, you can specify encryption in the NetBackup
for Oracle backup policy.
3 Disable Oracle's compression for the duration of the database backup.
By default, Oracle disables compression. If compression is enabled, Oracle
compresses unused sections in streams, and the result is unpredictable
deduplication rates. If compression is enabled, run the following RMAN
command from the command line to disable compression:

RMAN> CONFIGURE DEVICE TYPE SBT_TAPE BACKUP TYPE TO BACKUPSET;

If your site requires compression, you can specify compression in the

NetBackup for Oracle backup policy.
4 Configure a NetBackup for Oracle policy.
If you want to compress or encrypt the backup, enable compression and
encryption in the NetBackup pd.conf file.
Run a full database backup as soon as you can. The policy can perform
incremental backups until the full backup can be run.

Note: Make sure that Oracle optimization, encryption, and compression are disabled
for the entirety of the database backup. Make sure to check specifications outside
of the RMAN backup script, too.
 Deduplication best practices 227
Example RMAN script for a stream-based backup

Example RMAN script for a stream-based backup

The following is an example fragment from an RMAN script that performs an
optimized, deduplicated, stream-based backup of an Oracle database.

RUN {

# Back up the database.

# Use 4 channels as 4 parallel backup streams.

ALLOCATE CHANNEL ch00 TYPE 'SBT_TAPE';

ALLOCATE CHANNEL ch01 TYPE 'SBT_TAPE';
ALLOCATE CHANNEL ch02 TYPE 'SBT_TAPE';
ALLOCATE CHANNEL ch03 TYPE 'SBT_TAPE';
SEND ' NB_ORA_SERV=$NB_ORA_SERV’;

BACKUP
$BACKUP_TYPE
SKIP INACCESSIBLE
TAG hot_db_bk_level0
# The following line sets FILESPERSET to 1 and facilitates database deduplication.
FILESPERSET 1
FORMAT 'bk_%s_%p_%t'
DATABASE;
sql 'alter system archive log current';
RELEASE CHANNEL ch00;
RELEASE CHANNEL ch01;
RELEASE CHANNEL ch02;
RELEASE CHANNEL ch03;

# Back up the archive logs

# The FILESPERSET parameter setting depends on the number of archive logs you have.

ALLOCATE CHANNEL ch00 TYPE 'SBT_TAPE';

ALLOCATE CHANNEL ch01 TYPE 'SBT_TAPE';
SEND ' NB_ORA_SERV=$NB_ORA_SERV’;
BACKUP
FILESPERSET 20
FORMAT 'al_%s_%p_%t'
ARCHIVELOG ALL DELETE INPUT;
RELEASE CHANNEL ch00;
 Deduplication best practices 228
Editing the RMAN script and configuring NetBackup for Oracle for a proxy copy backup

RELEASE CHANNEL ch01;

#
# Note: During the process of backing up the database, RMAN also backs up the
# control file. This version of the control file does not contain the
# information about the current backup because "nocatalog" has been specified.
# To include the information about the current backup, the control file should
# be backed up as the last step of the RMAN section. This step would not be
# necessary if we were using a recovery catalog or auto control file backups.
#
ALLOCATE CHANNEL ch00 TYPE 'SBT_TAPE';
SEND ' NB_ORA_SERV=$NB_ORA_SERV’;
BACKUP
FORMAT 'cntrl_%s_%p_%t'
CURRENT CONTROLFILE;
RELEASE CHANNEL ch00;
}

Editing the RMAN script and configuring

NetBackup for Oracle for a proxy copy backup
The following procedure explains how to edit the RMAN script on the client.
To edit the RMAN script
1 On the client computer that hosts the Oracle database, open the RMAN backup
script in a text editor, and make the following edits:
■ Add PROXY to the list of commands that backs up the data files.
Example RMAN script after editing:

BACKUP
FORMAT 'bk_u%u_s%s_p%p_t%t'
PROXY
DATABASE;

■ Specify the NB_ORA_PC_STREAMS parameter in the database backup script.

The NB_ORA_PC_STREAMS variable controls the number of proxy copy backup
streams to be started. By default, the agent initiates one backup job for all
files. If the RMAN send command passes NB_ORA_PC_STREAMS, NetBackup
for Oracle splits the files into the number of groups that are specified by
the variable based on the file size. The agent attempts to create streams
of equal size and determines the number of processes that run to perform
the backup.
 Deduplication best practices 229
Example RMAN script for a proxy copy backup

For an example that shows an edited backup script, see the following:
See “Example RMAN script for a proxy copy backup” on page 229.
2 Disable Oracle's optimization and encryption for the duration of the database
backup.
By default, Oracle disables optimization and encryption. If the optimization and
encryption are enabled, run the following RMAN commands from the command
line to disable optimization and encryption:

RMAN> CONFIGURE BACKUP OPTIMIZATION OFF;

RMAN> CONFIGURE ENCRYPTION FOR DATABASE OFF;

If your site requires encryption, you can specify encryption in the NetBackup
for Oracle backup policy.
3 Disable Oracle's compression for the duration of the database backup.
By default, Oracle disables compression. If compression is enabled, Oracle
compresses unused sections in streams, and the result is unpredictable
deduplication rates. If compression is enabled, run the following RMAN
command from the command line to disable compression:

RMAN> CONFIGURE DEVICE TYPE SBT_TAPE BACKUP TYPE TO BACKUPSET;

If your site requires compression, you can specify compression in the

NetBackup for Oracle backup policy.
4 Configure a NetBackup for Oracle policy.
If you want to compress or encrypt the backup, enable compression and
encryption in the NetBackup pd.conf file.
Run a full database backup as soon as you can. You can perform incremental
backups until the full backup can be run.

Note: Make sure that Oracle optimization, encryption, and compression are
disabled for the entirety of the database backup. Also, make sure to check
specifications outside of the RMAN backup script.

Example RMAN script for a proxy copy backup

The following is an example of an RMAN script that performs an optimized,
deduplicated, proxy copy backup of an Oracle database.
 Deduplication best practices 230
Example RMAN script for a proxy copy backup

RUN {

# Back up the database.

ALLOCATE CHANNEL ch00 TYPE 'SBT_TAPE';

# Specify 2 streams.

SEND 'NB_ORA_PC_STREAMS=2';
BACKUP
PROXY
SKIP INACCESSIBLE
TAG hot_db_bk_proxy
FORMAT 'bk_%s_%p_%t'
DATABASE;
sql 'alter system archive log current';
RELEASE CHANNEL ch00;

# Back up the archive logs.

# The FILESPERSET parameter setting depends on the number of archive logs you have.

ALLOCATE CHANNEL ch00 TYPE 'SBT_TAPE';

ALLOCATE CHANNEL ch01 TYPE 'SBT_TAPE';
SEND ' NB_ORA_SERV=$NB_ORA_SERV’;
BACKUP
FILESPERSET 20
FORMAT 'al_%s_%p_%t'
ARCHIVELOG ALL DELETE INPUT;
RELEASE CHANNEL ch00;
RELEASE CHANNEL ch01;

#
# Note: During the process of backing up the database, RMAN also backs up the
# control file. This version of the control file does not contain the
# information about the current backup because "nocatalog" has been specified.
# To include the information about the current backup, the control file should
# be backed up as the last step of the RMAN section. This step would not be
# necessary if we were using a recovery catalog or auto control file backups.
#
ALLOCATE CHANNEL ch00 TYPE 'SBT_TAPE';
SEND ' NB_ORA_SERV=$NB_ORA_SERV’;
 Deduplication best practices 231
Example RMAN script for a proxy copy backup

BACKUP
FORMAT 'cntrl_%s_%p_%t'
CURRENT CONTROLFILE;
RELEASE CHANNEL ch00;
}
 Appendix B
Snapshot Client support of
SFRAC
This appendix includes the following topics:

■ About Snapshot Client support of SFRAC

■ NetBackup configuration for an SFRAC environment

■ Configuring the SFRAC environment for a backup operation

■ Performing a rollback restore in an SFRAC environment

■ Troubleshooting NetBackup in an SFRAC environment

About Snapshot Client support of SFRAC

Veritas Storage Foundation for the Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC)
environment leverages storage management and high availability technologies for
deployment of Oracle RAC on UNIX environments.
Storage Foundation is a complete solution for heterogeneous online storage
management. Based on VxVM and VxFS, it provides a standard set of integrated
tools to centrally manage data growth, maximize storage hardware usage, and
provide data protection.

NetBackup configuration for an SFRAC

environment
To perform the offhost snapshot backup of Oracle database in the SFRAC
environment, the NetBackup client software must be installed on each node of the
cluster.
 Snapshot Client support of SFRAC 233
Configuring the SFRAC environment for a backup operation

You need to configure the following:

■ On the master server or media server that resides outside of the cluster, you
must configure the policy to back up the Oracle RAC database.
■ Configure the alternate client so that the snapshot is taken using that offhost.
The alternate client should not be part of the cluster.

Note: IPv6 is not supported for SFRAC.

Configuring the SFRAC environment for a backup

operation
The backup and rollback operations involve the Oracle Agent and the hardware
array. The configuration steps required for both of these operations should also be
done before taking the snapshot.
The following lists the prerequisites before you perform a backup in the SFRAC
environment.
To configure the SFRAC environment for a backup operation
1 Configure a virtual IP or virtual name over the cluster. NetBackup refers to the
client by using this virtual name.
2 The NetBackup client name on each node of the cluster must match the virtual
name that is configured on the cluster. Do one of the following:
■ If you have already installed the client, change the CLIENT_NAME entry
in the bp.conf file of the NetBackup directory to the following:

CLIENT_NAME = <virtual_name>

■ Alternatively, add the following parameter to the RMAN script file that you
are using for backup and restore, and keep the default CLIENT_NAME as
the hostname:

NB_ORA_CLIENT = <host_name>

3 Specify the required host mode options in the storage array that provides the
storage LUNs. For example, in the Host group options of an Hitachi array, enter
the type of host (for example, Solaris) and enable the VERITAS Database
Edition/Advanced Cluster for Oracle RAC (Solaris) option.
 Snapshot Client support of SFRAC 234
Performing a rollback restore in an SFRAC environment

4 Add the following line to the bp.conf file, on each node in the cluster.

PREFERRED_NETWORK = <virtual-host-name>

This entry is required when running a rollback operation.

5 If the CFS version that you run does not support group quiescence, enable
serial quiescence by adding the following lines to the
/usr/openv/lib/vxfi/configfiles/vxfsfi.conf file.

[QUIESCENCE_INFO]
"QUIESCENCE_SERIAL_QUIESCENCE"=dword:00000001

6 Ensure that the database is in open (read-write) mode.

7 Ensure that the service group for the database in VCS is in the online state.
8 Because only the master node of the cluster supports the rollback restore,
change the virtual IP before a rollback operation so that it points to the master
node.
9 Configure a snapshot backup policy for the SFRAC environment. In the backup
selection tab of the policy, make sure that you provide a path name to the
RMAN script. Make sure that the script resides on all the nodes of the cluster.
Parameters like ORACLE_SID can differ on each of the nodes. For example,
on node 1, the ORACLE_SID can be symc1 and on node 2, the ORACLE_SID
can be symc2.

Performing a rollback restore in an SFRAC

environment
The following procedure describes the manual steps that are needed to restore
volumes and file systems by using the snapshot rollback method in an SFRAC
environment.
A typical host deployment for running NetBackup for Oracle in an SFRAC
environment is as follows: Host A and Host B are in the cluster and Host C is used
as an alternate client. The instant recovery snapshot is taken using the Oracle policy
and the Hardware Snapshot FIM (frozen image method).
The application I/O stack is built upon the hardware array of VxVM (CVM) and VxFS
(CFS).
The Veritas Cluster Server (VCS) controls the Oracle RAC database and other
required essential resources such as shared storage. VCS defines and manages
its resources as a single unit called a service group. A service group contains all
the necessary components and resources of an application.
 Snapshot Client support of SFRAC 235
Performing a rollback restore in an SFRAC environment

The following are entities in the VCS that monitor the application I/O stack:
■ CFSMount contains the mount points (cfs) where data files, archive logs, and
control files are stored.
■ CVMVolDg contains all the Volume Groups (cvm) configured on top of the
various array LUNs that participate in the hardware snapshot.
■ The Database Resource Group contains the database instance and assists in
failover.
To perform a rollback restore in the SFRAC environment
1 Ensure that you previously created a virtual IP for the clustered node. Point
that virtual IP to the master node of the cluster.
2 On all the clustered nodes, take the VCS database service group (Oracle,
CFSMount, and CVMVolDg resources) offline by using the following command:

# hagrp -offline <DB_Service_Group> -any

3 Freeze the database service group.

# hagrp -freeze <DB_Service_Group>

4 Mount the CFSMount points manually outside VCS on the master node. This
action helps when you start the database in mount state.

# mount -F vxfs -o cluster <mntPt>

5 Start the database with mount option on the clustered master node using one
of these options:
Option 1:

# sqlplus /as sysdba

# startup mount;

Option 2:

# sqlplus /as sysbackup

# startup mount;
 Snapshot Client support of SFRAC 236
Troubleshooting NetBackup in an SFRAC environment

6 Run the rollback restore operation from the RMAN script or the client GUI. A
sample RMAN script file (hot_database_backup_proc) is located in the
following directory path:

/usr/openv/netbackup/ext/db_ext/oracle/samples/rman

To perform PIT rollback, add the following parameter to the script:

NB_ORA_PC_RESTORE=rollback

7 Unmount the CFS on the master node.

# umount <mntPt>

8 Unfreeze the VCS database service group.

# hagrp -unfreeze <DB_Service_Group>

9 On all the clustered nodes, take the VCS database service group (Oracle,
CFSMount, and CVMVolDg resources) back online:

# hagrp -online <DB_Service_Group> -any

Troubleshooting NetBackup in an SFRAC

environment
The following describes some common errors and how to troubleshoot them:
■ Problem: The backup failed with error code 6 displayed in the GUI. The
rman_script.out file shows the following error:

RMAN-06403: could not obtain a fully authorized session

ORA-01034: ORACLE not available
ORA-27101: shared memory realm does not exist
SVR4 Error: 2: No such file or directory

Resolution: Check the ORACLE_HOME and ORACLE_SID values.

ORACLE_HOME should not have an extra ‘/’ at the end.
■ Problem: The backup failed with error code 239. The dbclient logs show the
following log statement:

serverResponse: ERR - server exited with status 239: the specified

client does not exist in the specified policy
01:02:23.844 [4000] <16> CreateNewImage: ERR - serverResponse() fail
 Snapshot Client support of SFRAC 237
Troubleshooting NetBackup in an SFRAC environment

Resolution: The client name mentioned in the policy and in the bp.conf file at
the client are different.
■ Problem: The backup failed with error 156. The bpfis logs show the following
error.

CVxFSPlugin::vxFreezeAll : ioctl VX_FREEZE_ALL failed with errno : 16

CVxFSPlugin::quiesce - Could not quiesce as VX_FREEZE_ALL failed and
VX_FREEZE is not allowed

Resolution: Add the following lines to the

/usr/openv/lib/vxfi/configfiles/vxfsfi.conffile:

file:[QUIESCENCE_INFO]
"QUIESCENCE_SERIAL_QUIESCENCE"=dword:00000001

■ Problem: The rollback failed with the following error displayed in the GUI:

Failed to process backup file <bk_113_1_728619266>

The dbclient logs show the following error:

xbsa_ProcessError: INF - leaving

xbsa_QueryObject: ERR - VxBSAQueryObject: Failed with error: Server
Status: client is not validated to use the server
xbsa_QueryObject: INF - leaving (3)
int_FindBackupImage: INF - leaving
int_AddToFileList: ERR - Failed to process backup file
<bk_113_1_728619266>

Resolution : Add the following line in the bp.conf file on the master node of the
cluster PREFERRED_NETWORK = <virtual_name>
 Appendix C
Script-based Block-Level
Incremental (BLI) Backups
without RMAN on UNIX
and Linux systems
This appendix includes the following topics:

■ About script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN

■ About BLI backup and restore operations

■ Verifying installation requirements for BLI backups without RMAN

■ Creating NetBackup policies for script-based BLI backup

■ Performing backups and restores

■ About troubleshooting backup or restore errors

About script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI)

Backups without RMAN
NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client extends the capabilities of NetBackup
to back up only changed data blocks of Oracle database files. NetBackup
recommends using RMAN-based BLI backups, which allows tight integration with
Oracle administration.
If you choose to use script-based BLI backups without RMAN, you can configure
NetBackup for BLI support. A BLI backup backs up only the changed data blocks
 Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux systems 239
About BLI backup and restore operations

of Oracle database files. NetBackup for Oracle script-based BLI performs backups
using the Storage Checkpoint facility in the Veritas File System (VxFS) available
through the Veritas Storage Foundation for Oracle.
See “About NetBackup for Oracle with Snapshot Client” on page 150.
See “About BLI backup and restore operations” on page 239.
See “Verifying installation requirements for BLI backups without RMAN” on page 240.
See “About NetBackup for Oracle agent automatic backups” on page 254.
See “About NetBackup for Oracle manual backups” on page 254.
See “About NetBackup backup and restore logs” on page 257.
See “Creating NetBackup policies for script-based BLI backup” on page 241.
See “Example Oracle BLI backup policy” on page 246.
See “Restoring BLI backup images” on page 256.
See “Improving NetBackup backup performance” on page 261.

About BLI backup and restore operations

A BLI backup performs database backups by obtaining the changed blocks identified
by the Storage Checkpoints. BLI backups can also be performed while the database
is online or offline. As with Storage Checkpoints, you must enable archive log mode
to perform online BLI backups.
A BLI backup places the tablespaces in backup mode, takes a Storage Checkpoint,
and then performs the backup. You specify how and when to back up the database
when configuring the NetBackup notify scripts.
For example, suppose at 4:00 p.m. you lost a disk drive and its mirrored drive. A
number of user tablespaces reside on the disk drive, and you want to recover all
committed transactions up to the time you lost the drive. Because the BLI backup
facility lets you perform more frequent backups, you did an online differential
incremental backup at 1:00 p.m.
You recover by shutting down the database, installing new replacement disk drives,
and restoring all the data files with NetBackup. Then you apply the archive logs to
recover the tablespaces on the failed drive. If you used Fulldata Storage
Checkpoints, the extra redo logs generated during an online backup are small, the
media recovery part of the database recovery takes very little time. Moreover,
because you have a recent backup, the entire recovery is accomplished quickly.
 Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux systems 240
Verifying installation requirements for BLI backups without RMAN

Verifying installation requirements for BLI

backups without RMAN
Verify the following requirements before you begin the installation.
To verify the installation requirements
1 Make sure that the following products are properly installed and configured:
■ NetBackup
■ A supported level of Oracle
■ NetBackup for Oracle
■ Veritas Storage Foundation for Oracle

2 Verify licensing.
The products must have valid licenses. To check for licenses, enter the following
commands based on your version:
For VxFS versions earlier than 3.5:

# vxlicense -p

For VxFS versions 3.5 or later:

# vxlicrep

The command displays all the valid licenses that are installed on the system.
If you have valid licenses, the Storage Checkpoint feature and the Veritas
Storage Foundation for Oracle appear in the list.
3 Verify that both the NetBackup server (master and media) and client software
work properly.
Particularly, verify that you can back up and restore typical operating system
files from the client.

File system and Storage Checkpoint space management

To support BLI backups, the VxFS file systems need extra disk space to keep track
of the block change information. The space that is required depends on the type
of checkpoint that is used and the database change rate while the backup is running.
Using Storage Checkpoints has an effect on space in the following ways:
 Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux systems 241
Creating NetBackup policies for script-based BLI backup

Nodata Storage Checkpoint If the database is offline during the entire backup window (a
cold database backup) or you use this checkpoint type, the
additional space is minimal. Each file system requires about
1% of free space.

This checkpoint sets a bit to indicate if a file block changed.

When you use this checkpoint type, the data files are left in
quiesce (write suspend) mode for the duration of the backup.

Fulldata Storage Checkpoint If the database is online during the backup and using this
checkpoint type, then more free space is needed in the file
system.

NetBackup for Oracle keeps the Oracle containers in quiesce

(write suspend) mode only for the time that is needed to
create a Storage Checkpoint. During the backup, the
checkpoint creates copies of any file blocks immediately
before they are changed. The backup up contains only the
unchanged blocks and the original copies of the changed
blocks. After the backup completes, the Fulldata Storage
Checkpoint is converted to a Nodata Storage checkpoint and
the copied blocks are returned to the free list.

If the workload change rate is light during backup or the

backup window is short, 10% free space is usually sufficient
for the workload. If the database has a heavy change rate
while the backup is running, the file systems may require
more than 10% of free space.

Note: The default option that NetBackup uses for backups is Fulldata Storage
Checkpoint.

To use Nodata Storage Checkpoint instead of the default option, a user must create
the following empty touch file:

/usr/openv/netbackup/ext/db_ext/NODATA_CKPT_PROXY

Creating NetBackup policies for script-based BLI

backup
To allow full and incremental backups, you must add at least one Standard type
policy to NetBackup and define the appropriate schedules for that policy. Use the
NetBackup Administration Console to add policies. NetBackup policies define the
criteria for the backup.
These criteria include the following:
 Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux systems 242
Creating NetBackup policies for script-based BLI backup

■ Policy attributes
■ Clients and the files or directories to be backed up on the client
■ Storage unit to use
■ Backup schedules
While most database NetBackup BLI backup policy requirements are the same as
for file system backups, the following items have special requirements:
■ The number of policies that are required
See “Number of policies required for BLI backup” on page 242.
■ Policy attribute values
See “About BLI policy attributes” on page 244.
■ The BLI client list
See “About the BLI client list” on page 245.
■ The list of directories and files to back up
See “Backup selections list for BLI backups” on page 245.
■ Schedules
See “About schedules for BLI backup policies” on page 245.

Number of policies required for BLI backup

A database BLI backup requires at least one Standard type policy.
This policy usually includes the following:
■ One full backup schedule
■ One incremental backup schedule
■ One user-directed backup schedule for control files and archive logs
Only one backup stream is initiated for each backup policy during automatic backups.
To enable multiple backup streams, define multiple policies for the same database.
If you have more than one database SID, configure policies for each SID. If you
intend to do simultaneous backups of more than one SID on the same file system,
use Nodata Storage Checkpoints. Set the METHOD to NODATA_CKPT_HOT.
For example, to back up file systems F1, F2, F3, and F4 with two streams, you need
to define two policies (P1 and P2) with F1 and F2 backed up in P1, and F3 and F4
backed up in P2. If you have one large file system that needs to be backed up with
multiple streams, divide the files in the file system between different policies. After
a file is added to a policy, it should stay in that policy. If you must rearrange the file
list, do so only prior to a full backup.
Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux systems 243
Creating NetBackup policies for script-based BLI backup

If you have more than one policy defined for an Oracle database instance,
NetBackup groups the database instance by the NetBackup keyword phrase. Identify
one of the policies as the POLICY_IN_CONTROL in the NetBackup notify scripts. This
policy performs database shutdowns and restarts. All policies with the same keyword
phrase need to be configured to start simultaneously.

Warning: Care must be taken when specifying the keyword phrase. A multistream
backup is attempted if the backup process finds more than one policy with the
following characteristics: Each policy has the BLI attribute set, each policy is active,
each policy contains the same client, and each policy has an identical keyword
phrase.
Typical failure status is: “74 - timeout waiting for bpstart_notify to complete.”
"See “NetBackup restore and backup status codes” on page 259.

You can check the file systems on the backup client to see if they are included in
one of the NetBackup policies on the server. To see if you need to add any new
file systems to the NetBackup policies, run the following commands from the server
on a regular basis, perhaps as a cron(1) job:

# cd /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/goodies/
# ./check_coverage -coverage -client mars -mailid \nbadmin

The preceding command generates the following output and mails it to the specified
mailid:

File System Backup Coverage Report (UNIX only)

-----------------------------------------------
Key: * - Policy is not active
UNCOVERED - Mount Point not covered by an active policy
MULTIPLE - Mount Point covered by multiple active policies

CLIENT: mars
Mount Point Device Backed Up By Policy Notes
----------- ------ ------------------- -----
/ /dev/vg00/lvol3 production_servers
/home /dev/vg00/lvol5 production_servers
/oradata1 /dev/dsk/c1t0d0 block_incr1
/oradata2 /dev/dsk/c1t0d0 block_incr1
/oradata3 /dev/nbuvg/nbuvol UNCOVERED
/opt /dev/vg00/lvol6 production_servers
/oracle /dev/vg00/oracle production_servers
/stand /dev/vg00/lvol1 production_servers
 Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux systems 244
Creating NetBackup policies for script-based BLI backup

/usr /dev/vg00/lvol7 production_servers

/var /dev/vg00/lvol8 production_servers

If there is an UNCOVERED file system that is used by Oracle, add it to one of the
NetBackup policies so that all the necessary file systems are backed up at the same
time.

Note: After a file system is added to a policy, it is a good idea to keep the file system
in that policy. If you change the policy, NetBackup performs a full backup the next
time backups are run even if an incremental backup is requested.

About BLI policy attributes

NetBackup applies policy attribute values when it backs up files.
The following attributes must be set for BLI backup:

Policy Type Set to Standard.

Perform block level Select to enable BLI backups. If the BLI attribute is not enabled,
incremental backups NetBackup uses the standard method to back up the files in
the file list.

Job Priority Set so that the BLI backup policies run before other policies.

Keyword phrase Define as the Oracle database instance name ($ORACLE_SID)

in each of the policies for the same instance. Multistream
backups start when all the policies with a particular keyword
phrase complete their respective startup scripts. If you have
multiple Oracle database instances (SIDs) use a separate set
of policies for each SID. If the SIDs are backed up
simultaneously and any share a common file system for data
files, use Nodata Storage Checkpoints. Set the METHOD to
NODATA_CKPT_HOT.

Note: Do not change a keyword phrase after it is set in a policy. The keyword phrase
is used in naming Storage Checkpoints. Changing the keyword phrase necessitates
a full backup even if an incremental backup is requested.

The NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume I describes other policy attributes

and how to configure them.
 Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux systems 245
Creating NetBackup policies for script-based BLI backup

About the BLI client list

The client list specifies the clients upon which you configured a BLI backup. For a
database backup, specify the name of the machine upon which the database resides.
Specify the virtual hostname if clustered.

Backup selections list for BLI backups

The backup selections list specifies a list of directories and files to back up. The list
must contain all the database files or their directory names. Using directory names,
rather than file names, ensures that new database files added to an existing
configuration are backed up without having to update the file list. Use the
check_coverage script to make sure all file systems are backed up.

If you are using the Quick I/O interface, you need to specify both the Quick I/O file
name and the associated hidden file in the file list (for example, dbfile and
.dbfile), or you need to specify the directory that contains both files. NetBackup
does not follow the symbolic links to automatically back up the hidden file if you
enumerate only the dbfile explicitly in the backup selections list. They are both
included if you enumerate their common directory.
When the NetBackup scheduler invokes an automatic backup schedule, it backs
up the files one at a time, in the same order they appear in the backup selection
list.
Oracle does not recommend backing up the online redo log, so it is recommended
that you place online redo log files in a different file system than datafiles, archive
log files, or database control files. Do not include the online redo log files in the file
list.

About schedules for BLI backup policies

The NetBackup server starts these schedule types:
■ Full Backup
■ Differential Incremental Backup
■ Cumulative Incremental Backup
Each BLI backup policy must include one full backup schedule and at least one
incremental backup schedule. In addition, you must designate one of the BLI backup
policies as the POLICY_IN_CONTROL. The policies for each stream must have the
same types of schedules.
The NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume I describes other schedule attributes
and how to configure them.
 Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux systems 246
Creating NetBackup policies for script-based BLI backup

You can configure the following types of schedules:

■ User-directed backup schedule. The user-directed backup schedule
encompasses all the days and times when user-directed backups are allowed
to occur. Set the backup window as described.
The policies for each stream must have the same types of schedules.
■ Automatically initiated backup schedules. Include server-initiated backup
schedules to specify the days and times for NetBackup to automatically start
backups of the files specified in the policy file list. Set the backup window as
described.
For server-initiated full and incremental backup schedules, set the start times and
durations to define the appropriate windows for the backups. Follow the same
procedure used to define backup schedules for other policies. For more information
on these procedures, see the NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.
The backups are started by the scheduler only within the backup window specified.
For the POLICY_IN_CONTROL, include in the user-directed backup schedule the time
periods when the BLI backup policies complete.
Set the retention level and periods to meet user requirements.

Example Oracle BLI backup policy

The following example shows attributes and schedules for an Oracle BLI backup
policy. Use the NetBackup Administration Console to add policies.

Policy Name: oracle_backup1

Policy Type: Standard
Active: yes
Block level incremental: yes
Job Priority: 0
Max Jobs/Policy: 1
Residence: oracle_tapes
Volume Pool: NetBackup
Keyword: ORA1
Client List: Sun4 Solaris2.6 mars
HP9000-800 HP-UX11.00 mars
Backup Selections List: /oradata/oradata1
Schedule: full
Type: Full Backup
Frequency: 1 week
Retention Level: 3 (one month)
Daily Windows:
Sunday 18:00:00 --> Monday 06:00:00
 Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux systems 247
Creating NetBackup policies for script-based BLI backup

Monday 18:00:00 --> Tuesday 06:00:00

Tuesday 18:00:00 --> Wednesday 06:00:00
Wednesday
18:00:00 --> Thursday 06:00:00
Thursday18:00:00 --> Friday 06:00:00
Friday 18:00:00 --> Saturday 06:00:00
Saturday18:00:00 --> Sunday 06:00:00
Schedule: incr
Type: Differential Incremental Backup
Frequency: 1 day
Retention Level: 3 (one month)
Daily Windows:
Sunday 18:00:00 --> Monday 06:00:00
Monday 18:00:00 --> Tuesday 06:00:00
Tuesday 18:00:00 --> Wednesday 06:00:00
Wednesday 18:00:00 --> Thursday 06:00:00
Thursday 18:00:00 --> Friday 06:00:00
Friday 18:00:00 --> Saturday 06:00:00
Saturday 18:00:00 --> Sunday 06:00:00
Schedule: userbkup
Type: User Backup
Retention Level: 3 (one month)
Daily Windows:
Sunday 00:00:00 --> Sunday 24:00:00
Monday 00:00:00 --> Monday 24:00:00
Tuesday 00:00:00 --> Tuesday 24:00:00
Wednesday 00:00:00 --> Wednesday 24:00:00
Thursday 00:00:00 --> Thursday 24:00:00
Friday 00:00:00 --> Friday 24:00:00
Saturday 00:00:00 --> Saturday 24:00:00

In this example, the oracle_backup1 policy backs up all the files in

/oradata/oradata1. The policy specifies a weekly full backup, a daily differential
incremental backup, and a user-directed backup schedule. The archive logs and
the control file are backed up using the user-directed schedule at the completion
of the full or incremental backup.

Setting the maximum jobs per client global attribute

Set the Maximum Jobs per Client to the number of policies that have the same
keyword phrase. This number can be greater than one when multiple job policies
are defined to back up multiple file systems.
 Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux systems 248
Creating NetBackup policies for script-based BLI backup

About BLI backup methods

You can choose from the following backup methods when configuring BLI notify
scripts:

Table C-1 BLI backup terminology

Term Definition

cold database A cold database backup is taken while the database is offline or closed.
backup BLI backup shuts down the database and performs either full or
block-level incremental backups. This backup method is also referred
to in Oracle documentation as a "consistent whole database backup"
or a "closed backup." The data from a cold backup is consistent,
resulting in easier recovery procedures.

To select this backup method, set METHOD to

SHUTDOWN_BKUP_RESTART.

In an offline backup, all database files are consistent to the same point
in time (for example, when the database was last shutdown using typical
methods). The database must stay shut down while the backup runs.

hot database A hot database backup allows the database to be online and open while
backup the backup is performed. With the Storage Checkpoint facility, this
backup method runs database backups in parallel so a database does
not need to be in backup mode for a long time.

To select this backup method, set METHOD to ALTER_TABLESPACE.

Hot backups are required if the database must be up and running 24

hours a day, 7 days a week.

To use hot backups, the database must be in ARCHIVELOG mode. BLI

backup uses the alter tablespace begin backup command and
the alter tablespace end backup command to put the database
into and take it out of backup mode. Oracle documentation refers to
this method as an inconsistent whole database backup or open backup.
Unlike the cold database backup method, the data in hot backups is
fuzzy or inconsistent until the appropriate redo log files (online and
archived) are applied after the restore operation to make the data
consistent.
 Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux systems 249
Creating NetBackup policies for script-based BLI backup

Table C-1 BLI backup terminology (continued)

Term Definition

Nodata storage A Nodata storage checkpoint hot backup puts the tablespaces in backup
checkpoint hot mode for the duration of the backup. It uses a Nodata Storage
Checkpoint to reduce the amount of file system space consumed.

To select this backup method, set METHOD to NODATA_CKPT_HOT.

Use this method if all of the following conditions are present:

■ You are backing up multiple Oracle database instances.

■ More than one instance shares the file system.
■ The backup of the instances can overlap in time.

quick freeze The quick freeze database backup is different than an online database
database backup backup, because it requires the database to be brought down briefly to
take a snapshot or Fulldata Storage Checkpoint of the database image.
The Fulldata Storage Checkpoint is created in a few seconds and the
database can be restarted immediately. A backup image from a quick
freeze database backup is equivalent to a backup image from a cold
database backup. You can choose this backup method when you
configure BLI notify scripts.

To select this backup method, set METHOD to

SHUTDOWN_CKPT_RESTART.

See “Creating notify scripts for BLI backups” on page 249.

If the database is in ARCHIVELOG mode, you can use all four methods to back up
the database. If the database is in NOARCHIVELOG mode, you can only select the
cold backup or quick freeze backup.
When you use the cold and quick freeze database backups, the default shutdown
command that you use in the bpstart_notify.oracle_bli script is shutdown or
shutdown normal. These commands wait for all users to log off before it initiates
the shutdown. In some circumstances, even after all interactive users are logged
off, processes such as the Oracle Intelligent Agent (Oracle dbsnmp account) can
still be connected to the database, preventing the database shutdown. Attempt to
use the default shutdown commands to shut down the database cleanly.
Alternatively, you can use shutdown immediate to initiate the database shutdown
immediately.

Creating notify scripts for BLI backups

Create the notify scripts that run on the clients to synchronize the backup operation
and the database operation. You need a set of three notify scripts for each policy
Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux systems 250
Creating NetBackup policies for script-based BLI backup

that performs BLI backups. The scripts must be in the /usr/openv/netbackup/bin

directory on the NetBackup client.
The scripts are named as follows:
■ bpstart_notify.POLICY

■ post_checkpoint_notify.POLICY

■ bpend_notify.POLICY

To create the notify scripts, run the following script as root:

/usr/openv/netbackup/ext/db_ext/oracle/bin/setup_bli_scripts

This script copies the sample notify script templates to /usr/openv/netbackup/bin

and makes the necessary changes based on the information you provide.
The notify script templates are located on the local computer in the following location:

/usr/openv/netbackup/ext/db_ext/oracle/samples

When you run setup_bli_scripts you need to supply the following information:
■ Identify the POLICY_IN_CONTROL
See “Identify the POLICY_IN_CONTROL for BLI backups” on page 250.
■ Provide the Oracle environment variables
See “Oracle environment variables for BLI scripts” on page 250.
■ Select a backup method
■ Notify scripts for other policies
See “About BLI notify scripts for other policies” on page 251.
See the information about how to use the notify scripts to back up your Oracle
database.

Identify the POLICY_IN_CONTROL for BLI backups

If you have more than one policy defined on the server for one Oracle database
instance, identify one of the policies as the POLICY_IN_CONTROL. This is the policy
that initiates the database shutdown, startup, or alter tablespace commands.
The POLICY_IN_CONTROL can be any policy (for example, the first policy defined).
This variable is stored in the notify scripts.

Oracle environment variables for BLI scripts

If you create notify scripts, or if you run setup_bli_scripts, you need to provide
values for the Oracle environment variables.
 Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux systems 251
Creating NetBackup policies for script-based BLI backup

These variables are as follows:

ORACLE_DBA User name of the Oracle database administrator. Typically,

oracle.

ORACLE_BASE $ORACLE_BASE of the Oracle database instance.

ORACLE_HOME $ORACLE_HOME of the Oracle database instance.

ORACLE_SID Oracle database instance ID ($ORACLE_SID) if it is different from

the keyword.

ORACLE_LOGS Directory in which the Oracle archive logs reside.

ORACLE_CNTRL Location to which a copy of the Oracle control file is written so

that it can be backed up.

SQLCMD sqldba, svrmgrl, or sqlplus command to start up or shut

down the database.

ORACLE_INIT Path name for the Oracle startup parameter file (INIT.ORA). If
you are using an Oracle SPFILE as your parameter file, do not
set the ORACLE_INIT environment variable.

ORACLE_CONFIG Path name for the Oracle configuration file (CONFIG.ORA). Some
database configurations use the CONFIG.ORA file to specify
values for the database parameters that usually do not change.
The CONFIG.ORA file can be called by the INIT.ORA file using
an include statement.

About BLI notify scripts for other policies

If you have more than one policy defined to support multiple backup streams, create
a copy of the notify scripts for each policy defined.
For example, assume that you have two policies defined, oracle_backup1 and
oracle_backup2. Also assume that POLICY_IN_CONTROL is set to oracle_backup1.
You also need to create notify scripts for policy oracle_backup2. The
setup_bli_scripts script performs this step automatically.

Sample setup_bli_scripts session

The following sample session shows how to use setup_bli_scripts to create the
notify scripts.

#/usr/openv/netbackup/ext/db_ext/oracle/bin/setup_bli_scripts

Please enter the user name of your Oracle administrator? orac901

 Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux systems 252
Creating NetBackup policies for script-based BLI backup

ORACLE_BASE is the Oracle environment variable that identifies

the directory at the top of the Oracle software and administrative
file structure. The value of this variable is typically
/MOUNTPOINT/app/oracle

Please enter your ORACLE_BASE? /dbhome/oracle/orac901

ORACLE_HOME is the Oracle environment variable that identifies the

directory containing the Oracle software for a given Oracle server
release. The value of this variable is typically
/dbhome/oracle/orac901/product/RELEASE

Please enter your ORACLE_HOME? /dbhome/oracle/orac901

sqlplus will be used.

The default "connect" statement that will be used to connect to the database is:
"connect / as sysdba"

Would you like to modify the connect and use a specific login? (y/n) n

"connect / as sysdba" will be used.

Please enter the Oracle instance (ORACLE_SID) you want to back up? orac901

If you are using a CONFIG.ORA file, you need to specify where

it is, so that it can be backed up. If this does not apply
apply to your configuration, hit ENTER to go on. If this does
apply to your configuration, specify the file path.
Typically this would be:
/dbhome/oracle/orac901/admin/orac901/pfile/configorac901.ora
but this file could not be found.

Enter your Oracle config file path or hit ENTER:

To back up a copy of the Oracle control file, you need to specify a file
path where Oracle can write a copy of the control file.

Please enter the file path where Oracle is to write a copy of your
control file? /dbhome/oracle/orac901/admin/orac901/pfile/cntrlorac901.ora
 Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux systems 253
Creating NetBackup policies for script-based BLI backup

To back up the Oracle archive logs, you need to specify their location.

Enter the directory path to your Oracle archive logs?

/dbhome/oracle/orac901/admin/orac901/arch

Do you have more archive log locations? (y/n): n

Do you want the output of successful executions of the NetBackup

scripts mailed to you? y
Please enter the mail address to send it to? [email protected]

Do you want the output of unsuccessful executions of the NetBackup

scripts mailed to you? y
Please enter the mail address to send it to? [email protected]

There are 4 backup methods to choose from:

ALTER_TABLESPACE - Use alter tablespace begin backup method
NODATA_CKPT_HOT - Use alter tablespace begin backup with nodata ckpts
SHUTDOWN_CKPT_RESTART - Shutdown, create the ckpt clones, and restart
SHUTDOWN_BKUP_RESTART - Shutdown the DB, backup, and then restart
If one of the methods requiring DB shutdown are selected, you may experience
problems with timeouts if the database can't be shut down in a timely
manner. You may want to change the shutdown command in the notify scripts to
shutdown immediate, or you may have to increase the BPSTART_TIMEOUT value in the
bp.conf file on the master server, or you may want to change the backup
method to ALTER_TABLESPACE or NODATA_CKPT_HOT.
Note: the default BPSTART_TIMEOUT value is 300 seconds.

Do you want to use the ALTER_TABLESPACE method? y

You now need to decide on how many NetBackup policies you will have
backing up simultaneously. The first one you enter will be known
as the POLICY_IN_CONTROL in the scripts and will perform any needed
DB operations. When you create the policies on the NetBackup server,
you will have to divide the filesystems between these policies.

Please enter the name of the policy that will be the POLICY_IN_CONTROL? BLI_1
Please enter the name of another policy or DONE to stop? BLI_2
Please enter the name of another policy or DONE to stop? BLI_3
Please enter the name of another policy or DONE to stop? BLI_4
Please enter the name of another policy or DONE to stop? BLI_5
 Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux systems 254
Performing backups and restores

Please enter the name of another policy or DONE to stop? BLI_6

Please enter the name of another policy or DONE to stop? DONE

Performing backups and restores

After the installation and configuration are complete, you can use the NetBackup
interfaces to start Oracle backups and restores. You can run backups manually by
using schedules that you determine. You can also run a schedule manually.

Note: You must be the root user to perform all operations using the BLI backup
software.

About NetBackup for Oracle agent automatic backups

The best way to back up databases is to set up schedules for automatic backups.

Note: You must be the root user to perform all operations using the BLI backup
software.

Note: For HP-UX PA-RISC checkpoints to unmount and be cleaned up, create
touch file /usr/openv/netbackup/AIO_READS_MAX that contains the value 1.
HP-UX PA-RISC checkpoints may not be unmounted on Oracle database agents.

About NetBackup for Oracle manual backups

You can also run an Automatic Backup schedule manually using the NetBackup
Administration Console. For information about performing manual backups of
schedules, see the NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.

Note: You must be the root user to perform all operations using the BLI backup
software.

Note: For HP-UX PA-RISC checkpoints to unmount and be cleaned up, create
touch file /usr/openv/netbackup/AIO_READS_MAX that contains the value 1.

To perform a cold (offline) backup, set the environment variable METHOD in the
bpstart_notify script on the client to SHUTDOWN_BKUP_RESTART. The
 Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux systems 255
Performing backups and restores

bpstart_notify script shuts down the database before the backup begins and
the bpend_notify script restarts the database after the backup completes.
To perform a hot (online) backup using Fulldata Storage Checkpoints, make sure
the database is running in ARCHIVELOG mode and set the variable METHOD to
ALTER_TABLESPACE. The bpstart_notify script changes the tablespaces to online
backup mode before the backup begins, and the post_checkpoint_notify script
changes the tablespaces back to normal mode after the Fulldata Storage
Checkpoints are created.
To perform a Nodata Storage Checkpoint Hot (online) backup, make sure the
database is running in ARCHIVELOG mode and set the environment variable METHOD
in the bpstart_notify script to NODATA_CKPT_HOT. The bpstart_notify script
changes the tablespaces to online backup mode before the backup begins. The
bpend_notify script changes the tablespaces back to normal mode after the backup
completes.
To perform a quick freeze backup, set the environment variable METHOD in the
bpstart_notify script to SHUTDOWN_CKPT_RESTART. The bpstart_notify script
shuts down the database and the post_checkpoint_notify script restarts it
immediately after the Fulldata Storage Checkpoints are created. Taking VxFS
Fulldata Storage Checkpoints is very fast (within a minute), and with the NetBackup
queuing delay for scheduling the backup jobs, the database down time is typically
only a few minutes.

Backing up Quick I/O files

A Quick I/O file consists of two components: a hidden file with the space allocated
for it, and a link that points to the Quick I/O interface of the hidden file. Because
NetBackup does not follow symbolic links, you must specify both the Quick I/O link
and its hidden file in the list of files to be backed up.

Note: You must be the root user to perform all operations using the BLI backup
software.

For example:

ls -la /db02
total 2192
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 96 Jan 20 17:39 .
drwxr-xr-x 9 root root 8192 Jan 20 17:39 ..
-rw-r--r-- 1 oracle dba 1048576 Jan 20 17:39 .cust.dbf
lrwxrwxrwx 1 oracle dba 22 Jan 20 17:39 cust.dbf ->\
.cust.dbf::cdev:vxfs:
 Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux systems 256
Performing backups and restores

The preceding example shows that you must include both the symbolic link cust.dbf
and the hidden file .cust.dbf in the backup file list.
If you want to back up all Quick I/O files in a directory, you can simplify the process
by only specifying the directory to be backed up. In this case, both components of
each Quick I/O file is properly backed up. In general, you should specify directories
to be backed up unless you only want to back up some, files in those directories.

Note: For HP-UX PA-RISC checkpoints to unmount and be cleaned up, create
touch file /usr/openv/netbackup/AIO_READS_MAX that contains the value 1.

Restoring BLI backup images

Restoring the backup images that a BLI backup creates is no different than restoring
the backup images that are created using the default NetBackup configuration.
Restoring to any of the incremental backup images requires NetBackup to restore
the last full backup image and all the subsequent incremental backups until the
specified incremental backup image is restored. NetBackup does this automatically.
The media that stored the last full and the subsequent incrementals must be
available, or the restore cannot proceed.
You can start the restore operations from the NetBackup client by using the Backup,
Archive, and Restore interface. To restore the latest copy of each file, select either
the files or parent directories with the latest backup date, and click Restore. For
more information on restoring, see the NetBackup Backup, Archive, and Restore
Getting Started Guide.
If the operation is to restore files from an incremental backup image, NetBackup
issues multiple restore operations beginning from the last full backup image and
the subsequent incremental backup images until the selected date. The activity of
multiple restores is logged in the Progress Log.
If you plan to restore files backed up by another client or to direct a restore to another
client, start the restore from the NetBackup server using the Backup, Archive, and
Restore interface. Before you initiate a restore, a backup must have successfully
completed or an error occurs during the execution.
For Solaris, the restore destination can be a VxFS or UFS file system. The
destination file system does not need to support the Storage Checkpoint feature,
but to be able to perform BLI backups of the restored data, a VxFS file system with
the Storage Checkpoint feature is required.
For HP-UX, the restore destination can be a VxFS or HFS file system. The
destination file system does not need to support the Storage Checkpoint feature to
restore files. However, a VxFS file system with the Storage Checkpoint feature is
required to perform BLI backups of the restored data.
 Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux systems 257
Performing backups and restores

For AIX, the restore destination can be a VxFS or JFS file system. The destination
file system does not need to support the Storage Checkpoint feature to restore files.
However, a VxFS file system with the Storage Checkpoint feature is required to
perform BLI backups of the restored data.
Note that restoring a file causes all blocks in that file to be rewritten. Thus, all the
blocks in the file are considered to have been modified. Thus, the first subsequent
differential incremental backup and all subsequent cumulative incremental backups
back up all of the blocks in the restored file. If you are restoring an entire database
or a file system, the first subsequent backup backs up all blocks that are restored.
To restore a Quick I/O file, if both the symbolic link and the hidden file already exist,
NetBackup restores both components from the backup image. If either one of the
two components is missing, or both components are missing, NetBackup creates
or overwrites as needed.
Oracle database recovery might be necessary after restoring the files. See the
Oracle documentation for more information on doing database recovery.

About NetBackup backup and restore logs

NetBackup provides logs on the database backup and restore operations and are
useful for finding problems with those operations. The following table describes the
most useful logs and reports for troubleshooting backup and restore operations.

Table C-2 NetBackup backup and restore logs

Log file type Description

NetBackup progress This description only applies to a File System Restore (script-based BLI).
logs
For user-directed backups and restores performed with Backup, Archive, and Restore
interface, the most convenient log to use for NetBackup is the progress log. The progress
log file is written to the user’s home directory, by default in
/usr/openv/netbackup/logs/user_ops/username/logs. This log indicates whether
NetBackup was able to complete its part of the operation. You can view the progress log
from the Backup, Archive, and Restore interface, or you can use a file editor such as vi(1).

NetBackup debug logs The NetBackup server and client software provide debug logs for troubleshooting any problems
that occur outside of BLI backups. To enable these debug logs on the server or client, create
the appropriate directories under the following directory:

/usr/openv/netbackup/logs

For more information on debug logs, see the NetBackup Troubleshooting Guide or see the
/usr/openv/netbackup/logs/README.debug file.
 Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux systems 258
About troubleshooting backup or restore errors

Table C-2 NetBackup backup and restore logs (continued)

Log file type Description

NetBackup reports In addition to logs, NetBackup provides a set of reports that help isolate problems. One report
is All Log Entries on the server. For a description of all reports, see the NetBackup
Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.

See “Restoring BLI backup images” on page 256.

See “About troubleshooting backup or restore errors” on page 258.
See “About BLI backup and database recovery” on page 261.
See “About script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN”
on page 238.

About troubleshooting backup or restore errors

A backup or restore error can originate from NetBackup for Oracle, from the
NetBackup server or client, from the Media Manager, or from VxFS. In addition to
examining log files and reports, you should determine at which stage of the backup
or restore operation the problem occurred. You can also use NetBackup status
codes to determine the cause of the problem.

Troubleshooting stages of backup and restore operations

Refer to the following list to determine the source of a backup or restore error:
■ A backup or restore can be started in either of the following ways:
■ Manually from the administrator interface on the master server
■ Automatically by a NetBackup server using a full schedule or incremental
schedule
If an error occurs during the start operation, examine the Java reports window
for the possible cause of the error.
■ If the backup or restore starts successfully but eventually fails, one of the
following can be the cause:
■ Server/Client communication problem
■ Schedule error
■ Media-related error
■ VxFS errors
For more information, see the NetBackup Troubleshooting Guide.
 Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux systems 259
About troubleshooting backup or restore errors

■ There can be insufficient disk space for the VxFS Fulldata Storage Checkpoints
to keep track of changed block information. Check the All Log Entries report
for errors.
If there is a file system out-of-space condition, increase the size of the file system
so it is large enough for Fulldata Storage Checkpoints or use the Nodata Storage
Checkpoint Hot backup method. This error does not affect the integrity of the
backup images because a full backup of the affected file system occurs after
the condition is fixed.
■ If an incremental backup is intended, but the whole file system is backed up
instead, one of the following conditions might be present:
■ Storage Checkpoints that keep track of changes have been removed
■ The Block level incremental attribute is not selected
■ Other errors with a nonzero status code
The most common cause of this problem is the file system removed the Storage
Checkpoint that keeps track of the block changes. This action might occur if the
file system runs out of space, and there are no volumes available to allocate to
the file system. The integrity of the backup images is not affected, because a
full backup of the file system occurs at the next backup opportunity after
NetBackup detects that a Storage Checkpoint is missing.

NetBackup restore and backup status codes

The status codes and their meanings are as follows:
■ Status Code 9. An extension package is needed but was not installed.
The client does not have the NetBackup binaries required to do BLI backups.
Use update_clients on the server to push out new binaries. Also, use
vxlicense -p to verify that the Storage Checkpoint feature [83] and the Veritas
Storage Foundation for Oracle [100] are installed.
■ Status Code 69. Invalid file list specification.
Look for a message such as the following in the error log on the server:

FTL - /oradata is not in a VxFS file system. A block incremental

backup of it is not possible.

This indicates that there was an attempt to back up a file system that is not a
VxFS file system with the Block level incremental attribute. This error can also
occur if the file system is not mounted.
■ Status Code 73. bpstart_notify failed.
When running the notify scripts, the bpstart_notify script exited with a nonzero
status code, or the permission bits are set wrong on the bpstart_notify script.
Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux systems 260
About troubleshooting backup or restore errors

The script must have execute permission. If the permission bits are set, check
the bpstart_notify_output.ORACLE_SID file in the
/usr/openv/netbackup/bin/BLOCK_INCR directory.

■ Status Code 74. Client timed out waiting for bpstart_notify to complete.
Check the BPSTART_TIMEOUT setting on the NetBackup server. The
BPSTART_TIMEOUT specified did not allow enough time for the script to complete.
The shutdown database operation might be taking too long, or the script might
be waiting for other streams to start. Check the
bpstart_notify_output.ORACLE_SID file and the
post_checkpoint_notify_output.ORACLE_SID file in the
/usr/openv/netbackup/bin/BLOCK_INCR directory. Make sure that the policies
and schedules are configured with appropriate multiplexing factors and that the
required storage units that allow all streams to start at the same time are
configured. Check to see if all needed tape drives are working and available.
Make sure that the database is not processing transactions so that the instance
cannot be shut down immediately (if you are using one of the backup methods
where the database is shut down).
Finally, make sure that the priority on the BLI policies is higher than other policies,
so they get access to the tape drives before the other policies.
■ Status Code 75. Client timed out waiting for bpend_notify to complete.
Check the BPEND_TIMEOUT setting on the NetBackup server. The BPEND_TIMEOUT
specified did not allow enough time for the script to complete. The restart
database operation might be taking too long, or the script might be waiting for
other streams to call the bpend_notify script. Check the
bpend_notify_output.ORACLE_SID file and the
post_checkpoint_notify_output.ORACLE_SID file in the
/usr/openv/netbackup/bin/BLOCK_INCR directory. Make sure that the policies
and schedules are configured with appropriate multiplexing factors and that the
required storage units that can allow all streams to be started at the same time
are configured. Verify that all needed tape drives are working and available
during backup.
■ Status Code 77. Execution of the specified system command returned a nonzero
status code.
Check the post_checkpoint_notify_output.KEYWORD file in the
/usr/openv/netbackup/bin/BLOCK_INCR directory for the possible cause. The
post_checkpoint_notify script exited with a nonzero status code.

■ Status Code 143. Invalid command protocol.

Check to see if the Block level incremental policy attribute is selected without
a keyword specified. Set the Keyword phrase in the policies to the Oracle
database instance name ($ORACLE_SID).
 Script-based Block-Level Incremental (BLI) Backups without RMAN on UNIX and Linux systems 261
About troubleshooting backup or restore errors

Improving NetBackup backup performance

If backups are running slowly, check to see if the database has an excessive
workload. BLI backups allow hot database backups and quick freeze database
backups. Because the database is running during both of these backup methods
while NetBackup is backing up the database files, Oracle I/O can affect the backup
performance.
If the database is not running with a high transaction volume, troubleshoot
NetBackup. If the incremental backup takes a long time to finish, it could mean that
there are more changed blocks since the last incremental backup. Verify whether
the size of the incremental backup image has increased, and consider increasing
the frequency of incremental backups.
Finally, you can improve the speed at which backup is performed by using
multiplexed backups. Assigning multiple policies to the same backup device is
helpful when devices are not writing at their maximum capacity.

About BLI backup and database recovery

A BLI backup does not perform automatic database recovery. This process includes
restoring the database files from NetBackup images and applying the Oracle redo
log files to the database files. Follow the Oracle documentation to perform database
recovery after a restore.
 Appendix D
XML Archiver
This appendix includes the following topics:

■ NetBackup for Oracle XML export and XML import

■ About the environment variables set by a user in the XML export parameter file

■ About XML export shell scripts

■ Performing an XML export archive

■ Browsing XML export archives using bporaimp parameters

■ Browsing XML export archives using bplist

■ Restoring an XML export archive

■ Troubleshooting XML export or XML import errors

■ Additional XML export and import logs

NetBackup for Oracle XML export and XML import

While Oracle RMAN performs backup, restore, and recovery of physical Oracle
database objects (data files, tablespaces, control files, and archived redo logs), the
NetBackup for Oracle XML export and XML import utilities provide backup and
restore of logical database objects (tables, users, and rows).
The XML format is used to provide a self-identifying and system-independent format
ideal for database archiving.

NetBackup for Oracle XML export and import archiving features

Table D-1 describes NetBackup for Oracle XML export and XML import archiving
features.
 XML Archiver 263
NetBackup for Oracle XML export and XML import

Table D-1 NetBackup for Oracle XML export and XML import archiving
features

Feature Description

System- and NetBackup for Oracle uses the eXtensible Markup Language (XML)
database-independent standard to represent relational database table data that is extracted
archive format from an Oracle database.

The eXtensible Markup Language (XML) is a universal format for

structured documents and data. The XML 1.0 standards are
produced by the World Wide Web Consortium and include the XML
Schema standard.

Unicode UTF-8 is the character set encoding generated by

NetBackup for Oracle. Standard XML processors support UTF-8.
US7ASCII is a strict subset of UTF-8.

Self-identifying archive The XML Schema standard is used to describe the table data that
format is included in an archive. In this way, the archive contains the key
to understanding the format of the data as well as the data itself.

Command line Parameter files specify the table data to include in an archive and
interfaces that allow the table data to extract from an archive for import into an Oracle
export and import at database.
row-level granularity

Restore destination NetBackup for Oracle can either restore XML data to an operating
option system directory or import the data back into the Oracle database.

Flexible archive image The NetBackup catalog contains information on the contents of the
searches archive that can be searched by using flexible search criteria, such
as tablename or user.

XML export archive process

Figure D-1 shows the XML export archive process.
 XML Archiver 264
NetBackup for Oracle XML export and XML import

Figure D-1 XML export archives

Command line 1

Script (bporaexp or
bporaexp64)

Table list WHERE clause

NetBackup OCI
Scheduler

2 3
Oracle DBMS
Query processor

Table metadata / Table data

4

XML generator

XML schema / XML instances

OS Directory
NetBackup

Table D-2 describes the archive activity.

Table D-2 Archive activity

Activity Process

Oracle XML archive NetBackup for Oracle extracts database table data, converts
it into XML format, and stores XML data to either of the
following types of repositories:

■ A directory
■ A storage unit

XML export NetBackup converts Oracle table data to XML format (XML
schema or metadata and XML instance or data).
 XML Archiver 265
NetBackup for Oracle XML export and XML import

Table D-2 Archive activity (continued)

Activity Process

Archive NetBackup stores the XML data on a NetBackup storage

unit.

bporaexp/bporaexp64 NetBackup for Oracle’s XML export utility converts Oracle

command database table data into a self-identifying XML schema
document and instance document. NetBackup archives them
or redirects them to an OS directory.

See “NetBackup for Oracle XML export and XML import” on page 262.
See “Sequence of operation: XML export archive” on page 265.
See “Sequence of operation: XML import restore” on page 268.
See “XML import restore process” on page 267.

Sequence of operation: XML export archive

Figure D-2 shows data flow.
 XML Archiver 266
NetBackup for Oracle XML export and XML import

Figure D-2 XML export archive data flow

XML schemas, XML

instances

XML schemas, XML

instances
XML generator
Option to
create XML NetBackup
files on disk

Table metadata, Table data

Oracle DBMS
Query processor
OCI

Table list WHERE clause

Script Command line

(bporaexp)
(Parameter file)

Scheduler

NetBackup

NetBackup for Oracle users or automatic schedules start the database XML export
archives. This operation is done by performing a manual backup of an Oracle policy,
by invoking a script at the command line on the client.
For an XML export archive:
■ The NetBackup for Oracle script calls the bporaexp utility with a specified
parameter file.
■ The query processor uses the parameters in the specified file to build an SQL
query for each table.
■ Oracle’s OCI API executes the queries on the Oracle database instance to be
archived.
■ The query processor passes the output (including metadata and data for a single
table or multiple tables) to the XML Generator.
 XML Archiver 267
NetBackup for Oracle XML export and XML import

■ For each table passed, the XML generator builds one or more sets of XML
schema and XML instance documents.
■ XML data streams are backed up by NetBackup.
■ Alternately, bporaexp allows the files to be saved to an operating system
directory.
See “XML export archive process” on page 263.
See “XML import restore process” on page 267.
See “NetBackup for Oracle XML export and XML import” on page 262.
See “Sequence of operation: XML export archive” on page 265.

XML import restore process

Figure D-3 shows the XML import restore process.

Figure D-3 XML import restores

OS Directory

Restore NetBackup
XML
export
XML Format

OS Directory

Table D-3 describes the restore activity.

Table D-3 Restore activity

Activity Process

Oracle XML Restore NetBackup for Oracle manages the retrieval of archived
database table data, the parsing of the XML format, and the
insertion of the data back into the Oracle database.

Restore NetBackup retrieves the XML-formatted data from the storage

unit.

XML import NetBackup for Oracle parses XML-formatted Oracle table

data and inserts data into the Oracle database.
 XML Archiver 268
NetBackup for Oracle XML export and XML import

Table D-3 Restore activity (continued)

Activity Process

bporaimp/bporamip64 NetBackup for Oracle’s XML import utility can parse the
commands XML-formatted data for re-insertion into the database or can
redirect the data to an OS directory.

Sequence of operation: XML import restore

Figure D-4 shows data flow.

Figure D-4 XML import restore data flow

XML schemas, XML

instances

Option to
restore XML
files on disk

XML schemas, XML

instances
XML Parser NetBackup

Archive name
Table metadata,
Table data Keyword

Table name
Script
OCI XML data loader (bporaimp)
Oracle DBMS
(Parameter file)

Command line

NetBackup for Oracle users start database XML import restores by invoking a
NetBackup for Oracle script at the client command line.
For an XML import restore:
 XML Archiver 269
About the environment variables set by a user in the XML export parameter file

■ The NetBackup for Oracle script calls the bporaimp utility with a specified
parameter file.
■ The input parameters that identify the XML archive to restore are passed to
NetBackup.
■ NetBackup locates and reads the set of XML schema and instance documents
from the NetBackup storage unit.
■ The XML data stream is passed to an XML parser, which passes the data to
the XML data loader.
■ The XML data loader uses Oracle’s OCI API to insert the data into the database.
Optionally, bporaimp allows the XML data stream to bypass the XML parser
and be sent to an operating system directory. In addition, users can restore the
table metadata only into an operating system directory. bporaimp also allows
import from an operating system directory into Oracle.
See “XML export archive process” on page 263.
See “XML import restore process” on page 267.
See “NetBackup for Oracle XML export and XML import” on page 262.
See “Sequence of operation: XML export archive” on page 265.

About the environment variables set by a user in

the XML export parameter file
You can set the XML export parameter file in the Oracle user’s environment.
See “About the environment variables set by a user in the XML export parameter
file” on page 269.
Table D-4 shows the NetBackup for Oracle environment variables.

Table D-4 NetBackup for Oracle environment variables

Environment variable Purpose

NB_ORA_SERV Specifies the name of NetBackup master server.

NB_ORA_CLIENT Specifies the name of the Oracle client.

On Windows, this variable is useful for specifying a virtual

client name in a cluster.
 XML Archiver 270
About XML export shell scripts

Table D-4 NetBackup for Oracle environment variables (continued)

Environment variable Purpose

NB_ORA_POLICY Specifies the name of the policy to use for the Oracle backup.
To define NB_ORA_POLICY, use the RMAN PARMS
statement or send statement in Oracle shell scripts. For
example:

ALLOCATE CHANNEL ch01 TYPE 'SBT_TAPE' ;

send 'NB_ORA_POLICY=Oracle_Backup' ;
BACKUP

NB_ORA_SCHED Specifies the name of the Application Backup schedule to

use for the Oracle backup.

See “About the bp.conf file on UNIX systems” on page 105.

About XML export shell scripts

The following sections describe XML export shell scripts.
The user writes the shell scripts and they must conform to the operating system’s
shell syntax. Sample XML export and import shell scripts are installed on the client
with the NetBackup for Oracle agent. Modify these scripts to meet your individual
requirements.
See “About creating RMAN scripts manually” on page 107.
See “About storing shell scripts” on page 110.

Creating XML export scripts manually

When the database agent was initially installed, the installation software wrote
example scripts to the following locations:
■ For export:
Windows:

install_path\NetBackup\dbext\Oracle\samples\bporaexp

UNIX:

/usr/openv/netbackup/ext/db_ext/oracle/samples/bporaexp

■ For import:
Windows:
 XML Archiver 271
About XML export shell scripts

install_path\NetBackup\dbext\Oracle\samples\bporaimp

UNIX:

/usr/openv/netbackup/ext/db_ext/oracle/samples/bporaimp

The example export scripts that are installed in bporaexp are as follows:
Windows:

data_archiver_export.cmd

UNIX:

data_archiver_export.sh

data_archiver_export64.sh

bporaexp_help.param
bporaexp_partitions.param
bporaexp_table_to_files.param
bporaexp_tables.param
bporaexp_tables_rows.param

The example import scripts that are installed in bporaimp are as follows:
Windows:

data_archiver_import.cmd

UNIX:

data_archiver_import.sh

data_archiver_import64.sh

bporaimp_archive.param
bporaimp_archive_schema_to_files.param
bporaimp_archive_to_users.param
bporaimp_bfile_table.param
bporaimp_help.param
bporaimp_ignore_rows_table.param
bporaimp_large_table.param
bporaimp_list.param
bporaimp_old_archive.param
bporaimp_partitions.pram
bporaimp_table_from_files.param
bporaimp_table_to_files.param
 XML Archiver 272
Performing an XML export archive

bporaimp_table_to_user.param
bporaimp_tables.param

To use the example scripts

1 Copy the example scripts to a different directory on your client. Oracle scripts
can be located anywhere on the client.
2 Modify each script for your environment.
3 On UNIX, make sure that the su command logs into the correct user.
If you do not include an su - user (user is Oracle administrator account) in
your Oracle scripts, they do not run with the proper permissions and
environment variables. The result is problems with your database backups and
restores.

Performing an XML export archive

The following sections describe how to perform an XML export archive.

Table D-5 Tasks and commands

Task The commands that are used to accomplish the task

Automatic backup of an As with Oracle backups using RMAN, the most convenient way to create archives that
Oracle policy consist of XML exports of data from your database is to create schedules for automatic
backups. The Oracle policy runs NetBackup for Oracle shell scripts.
When the NetBackup scheduler invokes a schedule for an automatic backup, the NetBackup
for Oracle XML export shell scripts run as follows:

■ In the same order as they appear in the file list

■ On all clients in the client list

The NetBackup for Oracle XML export shell scripts start the XML export by running the
NetBackup bporaexp or bporaexp64 utility.

Manual backup of an The administrator can use the NetBackup server software to manually run an automatic
Oracle policy backup schedule for the Oracle policy. For more information, see the NetBackup
Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.

See “Testing configuration settings for NetBackup for Oracle” on page 111.

User-directed XML The following sections describe procedures for performing user-directed XML exports.
exports from the client
■ See “Running the NetBackup for Oracle XML export script on the client” on page 273.
■ See “Running bporaexp on the client as an Oracle user” on page 273.
■ See “Writing to a directory versus writing to a storage unit” on page 274.
■ See “About bporaexp parameters” on page 275.
 XML Archiver 273
Performing an XML export archive

Running the NetBackup for Oracle XML export script on the client
You can initiate a database XML export from the operating system command prompt:
Type the full path to the shell script that performs the export. For example:
Windows:

install_path\oracle\scripts\data_archiver_export.cmd

UNIX:

/oracle/scripts/data_archiver_export.sh

The operating system shell starts the database XML export archive by running the
XML export script. The XML export script contains commands to run bporaexp.
The NetBackup for Oracle installation script installs sample scripts in the following
location:
Windows:

install_path\NetBackup\dbext\oracle\samples\bporaexp

UNIX:

/usr/openv/netbackup/ext/db_ext/oracle/samples/bporaexp

Running bporaexp on the client as an Oracle user

As an Oracle user you can also run the bporaexp command (bporaexp64 on some
platforms) from the operating system command prompt and specify a parameter
file.
To run bporaexp on the client as an Oracle user
1 Create a parameter file that specifies the settings that determine how the
backup is to be performed. Information is available about the bporaexp
parameters.
See “About bporaexp parameters” on page 275.
2 Run the following command to specify the parameter file:
# bporaexp [username/password] parfile = filename | help=y

3 Configure the runtime environment, because this method does not call the full
script that includes the runtime configuration.
On UNIX and Linux, check the sample scripts for runtime environment details.
See “About configuring the run-time environment” on page 99.
 XML Archiver 274
Performing an XML export archive

bporaexp creates a set of XML schema and instance documents that can be used
to archive Oracle table data. For each archive, one master XML schema (.xsd)
document is generated. In addition, bporaexp generates a table-specific schema
(.xsd) document and a table specific instance (.xml) document for each table.
Additional files are created if the table contains LONG or LOB columns.
See “Performing an XML export archive” on page 272.

Writing to a directory versus writing to a storage unit

One important aspect of the parameter file is the DIRECTORY parameter. If you
specify the DIRECTORY parameter, the bporaexp (bporaexp64 on some platforms)
command writes the backup files to the operating system directory you specify.
NetBackup does not write the files to a storage unit.
For example, assume that the archive test1 contains one table, USER1. If the
directory parameter is specified, NetBackup creates certain files when you run
the bporaexp command.
Windows:

DIRECTORY=\db\netbackup\xml

UNIX:

DIRECTORY=/db/netbackup/xml

Table D-6 shows the files NetBackup creates when you run the command.

Table D-6 NetBackup files for example table USER1

File Content

Windows: \db\netbackup\xml\test1\test1.xsd Master XML schema for table

USER1
UNIX: /db/netbackup/xml/test1/test1.xsd

Windows: Table schema for table

\db\netbackup\xml\test1\USER1\TEST1.xsd USER1

UNIX: /db/netbackup/xml/test1/USER1/TEST1.xsd

Windows: XML document for table

\db\netbackup\xml\test1\USER1\TEST1.xml USER1

UNIX: /db/netbackup/xml/test1/USER1/TEST1.xml

If the DIRECTORY parameter is not specified, NetBackup writes the backup images
to a storage unit. A NetBackup backup set is created and cataloged under the name:
 XML Archiver 275
Performing an XML export archive

Windows:

\Oracle\XMLArchive

UNIX:

/Oracle/XMLArchive

All NetBackup for Oracle bporaexp backups are cataloged using this convention.
Alternatively, if the parameter file does not contain the DIRECTORY parameter,
NetBackup creates and catalogs the following files:
Windows:

\Oracle\XMLArchive\test1\test1.xsd
\Oracle\XMLArchive\test1\USER1\TEST1.xsd
\Oracle\XMLArchive\test1\USER1\TEST1.xml

UNIX:

/Oracle/XMLArchive/test1/test1.xsd
/Oracle/XMLArchive/test1/USER1/TEST1.xsd
/Oracle/XMLArchive/test1/USER1/TEST1.xml

In production, do not use the DIRECTORY parameter in the bporaexp parameter file.
When you write to a storage unit, NetBackup offers the features that include
searching and cataloging with the NetBackup catalog and automatic handling of
output that exceeds file system limits. With the DIRECTORY parameter, file system
limits, such as a 2 GB maximum, can cause an error.
To run bporaexp on the client, run the following command:

bporaexp [username/password] parfile = filename | help=y

On some UNIX platforms, the bporexp64 command is used.

About bporaexp parameters

This topic describes the available bporaexp (bporaexp64 on some platforms)
parameters.
Note the following:
■ Use the NetBackup parameters NB_ORA_SERV, NB_ORA_CLIENT, NB_ORA_POLICY,
and NB_ORA_SCHED to specify the NetBackup runtime configuration. Otherwise,
the order of precedence for the runtime configuration variable settings is used.
 XML Archiver 276
Performing an XML export archive

■ Some parameters are valid only when you write to a storage unit. Other
parameters are valid only when you write to a directory. In the following table,
the Target Location column contains either Storage Unit or Directory to indicate
whether the parameter in that row applies to writing to a storage unit or to a
directory. Parameters that are recognized when you write to a directory are
ignored when you write to a storage unit.
Table D-7 shows the available bporaexp parameters with their default values.

Table D-7 bporaexp parameters and default values

Parameter Required? Default Description Target location

CONSISTENT N N Specifies if bporaexp uses the SET Directory

TRANSACTION READ ONLY statement to
ensure that the data from all tables is
consistent to a single point in time and does
not change during the execution of the
bporaexp command. If the default of
CONSISTENT=N is used, each table is
exported as an independent transaction.

DIRECTORY N no default Optionally specifies a directory for the output Directory

of the bporaexp utility.

HELP N N Displays a help message with descriptions of Directory

bporaexp parameters. Does not export data
if HELP=Y.

KEYWORD N no default Optionally specifies a keyword phrase that Storage Unit

NetBackup associates with the image being
created by the archive operation. Values for
KEYWORD must be in double quotes.

LOG N no default Optionally specifies a file name to receive Directory

informational and error messages. If so,
messages are logged on the log file and not
displayed to the terminal display.

NAME Y no default The name of the master XML schema file. Directory

NB_ORA_SERV N default master Optionally specifies the name of the Storage Unit
server NetBackup master server.

NB_ORA_CLIENT N default client Optionally specifies the name of the Storage Unit
NetBackup for Oracle client.

NB_ORA_POLICY N default Oracle Optionally specifies the name of the Storage Unit
policy NetBackup for Oracle policy.
 XML Archiver 277
Performing an XML export archive

Table D-7 bporaexp parameters and default values (continued)

Parameter Required? Default Description Target location

NB_ORA_SCHED N default backup Optionally specifies the name of the backup Storage Unit
policy policy schedule to use.
schedule

OWNER N no default Lists the Oracle schema owners to export. Directory

For each owner, the tables, partitions, and
views that are owned by that Oracle account
are exported by default. The PARTITIONS
and VIEWS parameters can be used to
exclude partitions and views.

PARTITIONS N Y Optionally specifies whether or not table Directory

partitions are included. Only valid when used
with the OWNER parameter.

QUERY N no default Selects a subset of rows from a set of tables. Directory

The value of the query parameter is a string
that contains a WHERE clause for a SQL select
statement that is applied to all tables and
table partitions listed in the TABLES
parameter.
For example, if TABLES = emp, bonus and
QUERY = "where job = ‘SALESMAN’ and
sal < 1600", two SQL statements are run:

■ SELECT*FROM emp where

job=’SALESMAN’ and sal<1600;
■ SELECT*FROM bonus where
job=’SALESMAN’ and sal<1600;

Each query that runs refers to a single table

at a time in the FROM clause, so it is illegal to
have a join in the WHERE clause.

ROW_BUFFER N 1000 Specifies the size, in rows, of the buffer used Directory
to fetch rows. Tables with LONG columns are
fetched one row at a time. The maximum
value allowed is 32767.

TABLES Y no default Lists the table names, view names, and Directory
partition names to export. The USERID must
have SELECT privilege on the tables and
views. The syntax used is:schema.table:
partition name or schema.view name
 XML Archiver 278
Browsing XML export archives using bporaimp parameters

Table D-7 bporaexp parameters and default values (continued)

Parameter Required? Default Description Target location

USERID Y no default Specifies the username/password (and Directory

optional connect string) of the user initiating
the export. If a connect string is not provided,
the ORACLE_SID environment variable is
used.

VIEWS N Y Optionally specifies whether or not views are Directory

included. Only valid when used with the
OWNER parameter.

Browsing XML export archives using bporaimp

parameters
To use the bporaimp (bporaimp64 on some platforms) command to browse XML
export archives created by using bporaexp (bporaexp64 on some platforms), create
a parameter file with the desired search criteria. First, set the variables LIST=Y and
USERID=username/. Only the archives created using the Oracle USERID are listed.

The Oracle password is not required. The operating system account that is running
bporaimp has access only to archives that were created using the same account.

Note: Only XML export archives created using NetBackup mode are searched.
Exports stored in an operating system directory using the DIRECTORY parameter
are not searched.

Use the NB_ORA_SERV and NB_ORA_CLIENT parameters to specify the NetBackup

server and client. Otherwise, the order of precedence for the runtime configuration
variable settings is used. You can also include the LOG parameter.
Information is available on the LIST, LOG, NB_ORA_CLIENT, NB_ORA_SERV, and USERID
parameters.
See “About bporaimp parameters” on page 282.
Table D-8 shows other parameters you can include in the parameter file.
 XML Archiver 279
Browsing XML export archives using bplist

Table D-8 Parameters you can include in a parameter file

Parameter Default Description

ARCHIVE_DATE_FROM no default Optionally specifies a start date for the

archive search. Used with
ARCHIVE_DATE_TO to specify a
range. The date format is
mm/dd/yyyy [hh:mm:ss].

ARCHIVE_DATE_TO no default Optionally specifies an end date for

the archive search. Used with
ARCHIVE_DATE_FROM to specify a
range. The date format is
mm/dd/yyyy [hh:mm:ss].

KEYWORD no default Optionally specifies a keyword phrase

for NetBackup to use when searching
for archives.

NAME no default The name of the master XML schema

file.

FROMUSER no default Optionally specifies a

comma-separated list of table owners.

TABLES no default Optionally specifies a list of table and

partition names that were included in
an archive.

For example, assume you named the list parameter file bporaimp_list.param. At
the command prompt, type the following:

bporaimp parfile = bporaimp_list.param

Note: On some UNIX platforms, the bporaimp64 command is used.

Browsing XML export archives using bplist

For a higher level view of the Oracle XML export archive list, you can use the bplist
command. The result is the list of XML schema and instance document file names.

Note: Only XML export archives created using NetBackup mode are searched.
Exports stored in an operating system directory using the DIRECTORY parameter
are not searched.
 XML Archiver 280
Restoring an XML export archive

The following UNIX or Linux example uses bplist to search all Oracle archives for
a client named jupiter. The sample output is produced for two archives, test1
and little_sales, where each archive has one Oracle table (test1 has
USER1.TEST1 and little_sales has USER1.LITTLE_SALES).

/usr/openv/netbackup/bin/bplist -C jupiter -t 4 -R /Oracle/XMLArch/

/Oracle/XMLArchive/test1/test1.xsd
/Oracle/XMLArchive/test1/USER1/TEST1.xsd
/Oracle/XMLArchive/test1/USER1/TEST1.xml
/Oracle/XMLArchive/little_sales/little_sales.xsd
/Oracle/XMLArchive/little_sales/USER1/LITTLE_SALES.xsd
/Oracle/XMLArchive/little_sales/USER1/LITTLE_SALES.xml
/exb_n2bm5bco_1_1392342936
/exb_mabm02ko_1_1392170136
/exb_lqbltds6_1_1392083334

The following Windows example uses bplist to search all Oracle archives for a client
named jupiter. The sample output is produced for one archive, test.

install_path\NetBackup\bin\bplist -C jupiter -t 4 -R Oracle:\XMLArch\

Oracle:\XMLArchive\test\test.xsd
Oracle:\XMLArchive\test\SCOTT\BONUS.xsd
Oracle:\XMLArchive\test\SCOTT\BONUS.xml
Oracle:\XMLArchive\test\SCOTT\DEPT.xsd
Oracle:\XMLArchive\test\SCOTT\DEPT.xml
Oracle:\XMLArchive\test\SCOTT\EMP.xsd
Oracle:\XMLArchive\test\SCOTT\EMP.xml
Oracle:\XMLArchive\test\SCOTT\SALGRADE.xsd
Oracle:\XMLArchive\test\SCOTT\SALGRADE.xml

The -t 4 on this command specifies the Oracle backups or archives. The -R

specifies the default number of directory levels to search, 999.
For more information on this command, see the bplist man page in the NetBackup
Commands Reference Guide.

Restoring an XML export archive

Before you attempt to restore an archive, make sure that the XML archive has
successfully completed. You can identify the correct archive to restore by browsing
the XML export archives. NetBackup generates an error if an archive backup history
does not exist.
The following sections describe procedures for performing user-directed restores.
 XML Archiver 281
Restoring an XML export archive

Running an XML import script on the client

You can initiate a restore from the operating system command prompt by typing
the full path to the XML import script that initiates the restore. For example:
Windows:

install_path\oracle\scripts\data_archiver_import.cmd

UNIX:

/oracle/scripts/data_archiver_import.sh

The operating system shell starts the database restore by running the XML import
script file. The XML import script file contains commands to run bporaimp
(bporaimp64 on some platforms).
The NetBackup for Oracle installation script writes sample scripts to the following
location:
Windows:

install_path\NetBackup\dbext\oracle\samples\bporaimp

UNIX:

/usr/openv/netbackup/ext/db_ext/oracle/samples/bporaimp

Running bporaimp on the client

Run the bporaimp command from the operating system command line on the client
using the appropriate parameter file.
The Windows account that runs bporaimp has access only to XML export archives
that were created using the same Windows account.
The UNIX account that runs bporaimp has access only to XML export archives that
were created using the same UNIX account. Be sure to configure the runtime
environment, because this method does not call the full script that includes the
runtime configuration. Check the sample scripts for runtime environment details.
To run bporaimp on the client
At the command prompt, type the bporaimp command in the following format:

bporaimp [username/password] parfile = filename | help=y

On some UNIX platforms, the bporaimp64 command is used.

See “About bporaimp parameters” on page 282.
 XML Archiver 282
Restoring an XML export archive

About bporaimp parameters

Use the NetBackup parameters NB_ORA_SERV and NB_ORA_CLIENT to specify the
NetBackup runtime configuration. Otherwise, the order of precedence for the runtime
configuration variable settings is used.
Some parameters are valid only when writing to a storage unit. Other parameters
are valid only when writing to a directory. In the following table, the right-most column
contains either “Storage Unit” or “Directory” to indicate whether the parameter in
that row is applicable for either writing to a storage unit or to a directory. Parameters
that are recognized when writing to a directory are ignored when writing to a storage
unit.
Table D-9 describes the bporaimp (bporaimp64 on some platforms) parameters
and default values.

Table D-9 bporaimp parameters and default values

Parameter Required? Default Description Target

location

ARCHIVE_DATE_FROM N no default Optionally specifies a start date for the archive Storage Unit
to be imported. Used with ARCHIVE_DATE_TO
to specify a range. If not used, the most recent
archive is imported. If the range used results in
more than one archive, the most recent from
the range is used. The date format is
mm/dd/yyyy [hh:mm:ss].

ARCHIVE_DATE_TO N no default Optionally specifies an end date for the archive Storage Unit
to be imported. Used with
ARCHIVE_DATE_FROM to specify a range. If
not used, the most recent archive is imported.
If the range used results in more than one
archive, the most recent from the range is used.
The date format is mm/dd/yyyy [hh:mm:ss].

BFILE_DIRECTORY Y (if any no default Specifies a directory for the output of any BFILE Directory
table being columns being imported. Oracle’s CREATE
imported has DIRECTORY command can be used to create
BFILE the DIRECTORY in Oracle, and the name should
columns) match the name used in the export file.
 XML Archiver 283
Restoring an XML export archive

Table D-9 bporaimp parameters and default values (continued)

Parameter Required? Default Description Target

location

COMMIT N N Specifies whether bporaimp should commit Directory

after each array insert. The size of the array is
determined by ROW_BUFFER. By default,
bporaimp commits only after loading each
table, and performs a rollback when an error
occurs, before continuing with the next object.

DIRECTORY N no default Optionally specifies a directory for the input of Directory

the bporaimp utility.

FROMUSER N no default Optionally specifies a comma-separated list of Directory

users to import from an archive containing
multiple users’ tables. If not specified, all of the
tables are imported.

HELP N N Displays a help message with descriptions of Directory

bporaimp parameters.

IGNORE_ROWS N N Specifies whether or not rows should be Directory

inserted into a table that is not empty. The
default is that the table already exists and that
it is empty. If it is not empty, IGNORE_ROWS =
N causes an error to be reported, and the table
is skipped with no rows inserted. IGNORE_ROWS
= Y causes rows to be inserted with errors
reported in the log file.

If IGNORE_ROWS = Y and an error such as a

primary key constraint violation occurs, no data
is inserted if COMMIT = N. However, if COMMIT
= Y, the array of rows (size determined by
ROW_BUFFER) is not inserted, but bporaimp
continues to process additional row arrays in
the order in which they were exported. To cause
all rows that do not violate a primary key
constraint to be inserted, set COMMIT = Y,
ROW_BUFFER = 1, and IGNORE_ROWS = Y.

KEYWORD N no default Optionally specifies a keyword phrase for Storage Unit

NetBackup to use when searching for archives
from which to restore files.
 XML Archiver 284
Restoring an XML export archive

Table D-9 bporaimp parameters and default values (continued)

Parameter Required? Default Description Target

location

LIST N N LIST = Y queries the NetBackup catalog and Storage Unit

lists the archives available. Does not import the
data if LIST = Y.

LOG N no default Optionally specifies a file name to receive Directory

informational and error messages. If this
parameter is specified, messages are logged
in the log file and not displayed to the terminal
display.

NAME Y no default The name of the master XML schema file. This Directory
parameter is required if LIST = N.

NB_ORA_SERV N default Optionally specifies the name of the NetBackup Storage Unit
master master server.
server

NB_ORA_CLIENT N default Optionally specifies the name of the NetBackup Storage Unit
client for Oracle client.

RESTORE_SCHEMA_ONLY N N Used with RESTORE_TO_DIRECTORY to restore Storage Unit

the XML schema files only to a directory.

RESTORE_TO_DIRECTORY N no default Optionally specifies a directory for the output Storage Unit
of the bporaimp utility. If used, the XML data
is not parsed and inserted into Oracle.

ROW_BUFFER N 1000 Specifies the size, in rows, of the buffer used Directory
to insert rows. Tables with LONG or LOB
columns are inserted one row at a time. The
maximum value allowed is 32767.
 XML Archiver 285
Restoring an XML export archive

Table D-9 bporaimp parameters and default values (continued)

Parameter Required? Default Description Target

location

TABLES N no default Optionally specifies a list of table, view, and Directory

partition names to import. If not used, all objects
in the archive are imported. The objects must
already exist, and the USERID must have
INSERT privilege on the objects. The object
names cannot be qualified with owner names,
and the FROMUSER parameter is used to specify
a particular owner. If a partition name is
specified, it indicates the exported partition only
and the rows are inserted according to the
partitioning scheme of the target table. If the
export contains partitions, and the import does
not specify them, all are inserted.

TOUSER N no default Optionally specifies a comma-separated list of Directory

users to import to that can be used with the
FROMUSER parameter to change the table
owners. The TOUSER Oracle accounts must
already exist, and the USERID must have
INSERT privilege on the tables that must also
exist.

USERID Y no default Specifies the username/password (and optional Directory

connect string) of the user initiating the import.
If a connect string is not provided, the
ORACLE_SID environment variable is used.

About redirecting a restore of an XML export archive to a different

client
With NetBackup for Oracle you have the option to restore an XML export archive
to a client other than the one that originally performed the XML export. The process
of restoring data to another client is called a redirected restore.
Before you redirect the restore, see the following topic:
Figure D-5 illustrates a typical redirected restore.
 XML Archiver 286
Restoring an XML export archive

Figure D-5 Redirected restore of an XML export archive to a different client

1. Client A agents are backed up.

3. The server restores client A backup

image to client B.
Server

2. Client B requests restore of client A

image to client B.

The user on client A cannot initiate a redirected restore to client B. Only the user
on client B, which is the client receiving the backup image, can initiate the redirected
restore. Any user who belongs to the database group that performed the backup
can restore it, unless the BKUP_IMAGE_PERM variable is set to USER.

Redirecting a restore of an XML export archive to a new

client using bporaimp
On UNIX and Linux, any user who belongs to the database group that performed
the archive can restore XML export archive. The BKUP_IMAGE_PERM variable
must be set to GROUP or ANY, not USER.
If you use a non-root service user account, specific access must be allowed for that
user when you add files to the /usr/openv/netbackup/db/altnames directory.
The service user account must have full access to these files through the ownership
or group and the permissions. For example, if the service user is svcname and its
group is srvgrp, the file can have permissions of 400. If the file owner is for a
different user and group, the file permissions must allow access to the service user.
For example, 777. Equivalent permission settings must be used in a Windows
environment.
Perform the following procedure on the new client host if you want to restore XML
export archives that are owned by another client.
 XML Archiver 287
Restoring an XML export archive

To redirect a restore of an XML export archive to a new client using bporaimp

1 Set the environment variables for bporaimp (bporaimp64 on some platforms)
on the new client, including ORACLE_HOME and ORACLE_SID.
2 In the bporaimp parameter file, include the following lines:

nb_ora_serv = Netbackup_server
nb_ora_client =
original_client_where_XML_export_occurred.

3 Specify any other bporaimp parameters.

See “Running bporaimp on the client” on page 281.
4 Run bporaimp.

Example - Using bporaimp for a redirected restore

For example, assume the following:
■ Original client is jupiter
■ New client is saturn
■ Server is jupiter
■ ORACLE_SID is test on both saturn and jupiter

■ Windows user is ora on both jupiter and saturn

■ UNIX user is ora on both jupiter and saturn
■ Archive name is sales
To use bporaimp for a redirected restore (example)
1 Create the following file on server jupiter:
Windows:

install_path\NetBackup\db\altnames\saturn

UNIX:

/usr/openv/netbackup/db/altnames/saturn

2 Edit the preceding file to contain the name jupiter.

3 Log on to saturn as ora.
 XML Archiver 288
Troubleshooting XML export or XML import errors

4 Create file bporaimp.param.

Include the following parameters:

NAME = sales
NB_ORA_SERV = jupiter
NB_ORA_CLIENT = jupiter
USERID = orauser/orapasswd

5 Run bporaimp parfile=bporaimp.param to restore sales archive to saturn

and to import the data into the test database on saturn.

Troubleshooting XML export or XML import errors

An XML export or import error can originate from NetBackup or from Oracle, as
follows:
■ On the NetBackup side, an error can be from the bporaexp or bporaimp
programs, the NetBackup server or client, or Media Manager.
■ On the Oracle side, an error can be from the target database.
Use the following steps when troubleshooting a failed operation:
■ Check the logs to determine the source of the error.
■ Troubleshoot each stage of the XML export or XML import.
The following sections describe these steps in detail.
On UNIX and Linux, these sections describe the log files from the bporaexp
and bporaimp commands. The logs are created in
/usr/openv/netbackup/logs/bporaexp or
/usr/openv/netbackup/logs/bporaimp.

Checking the logs to determine the source of an error

This topic describes how to check the logs to determine the source of an error.
To check the logs
1 Check the bporaexp or bporaimp log.
If the LOG parameter is specified in the bporaexp or bporaimp command’s
parfile, the commands write logs to the file that is specified as the argument
to the LOG parameter. The commands write log information to the screen if LOG
is not specified.
For example, incorrect installation or configuration causes the following common
problems:
 XML Archiver 289
Troubleshooting XML export or XML import errors

■ The ORACLE_HOME environment variable was not set.

■ The bporaexp or bporaimp program was unable to connect to the target
database.
When bporaexp and bporaimp are used and the backup images are written
to an operating system directory, these logs are the only source of error logging
and tracking.
2 Check the NetBackup logs.
On Windows, the first NetBackup log to check is
install_path\NetBackup\logs\bporaexp\log.mmddyy or
install_path\NetBackup\logs\bporaimp\log.mmddyy.

On UNIX, the first NetBackup log to check is

/usr/openv/netbackup/logs/bporaexp/log.mmddyy or
/usr/openv/netbackup/logs/bporaimp/log.mmddyy.

Examine these logs for any messages that show how to determine the source
of an error.
The NetBackup client writes these logs and they contain the following:
■ Requests from bporaexp and bporaimp
■ Activities between bporaexp and bporaimp and NetBackup processes
If the logs do not contain any messages, the following conditions could be
present:
■ bporaexp or bporaimp terminated before service is requested from
NetBackup.
■ bphdb (if started by the scheduler or graphical user interface) did not start
the shell script successfully. Check the bphdb logs for stderr and stdout
files.
Try to run the XML export or XML import script file from the command line to
determine the problem.
On UNIX, the error is usually due to a file permission problem for bphdb itself
or for the export or the import script file.
Ensure that the full XML export or import script file name is entered correctly
in the Backup Selections list of the Oracle policy configuration. Also verify
that this script name is correct.
For more information about debug logs and reports, refer to the NetBackup
Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.
See “About troubleshooting NetBackup for Oracle” on page 204.
 XML Archiver 290
Troubleshooting XML export or XML import errors

See “About NetBackup for Oracle troubleshooting steps” on page 205.

Troubleshooting each stage of the XML export or XML import

The information in this section does not apply to you if DIRECTORY is specified in
bporaexp or bporaimp command’s parfile.

The following explains the sequence of events for an action that bporaexp or
bporaimp initiates in NetBackup mode. This situation occurs when DIRECTORY is
not specified in the bporaexp or bporaimp command’s parfile. It suggests solutions
for the problems that can occur at each point in the sequence.
To troubleshoot by stage
1 bporaexp or bporaimp starts.

An export or import can be started in any of the following ways:

■ Command line from the system prompt.
For example:

bporaexp parfile = parameter_filename

bporaimp parfile = parameter_filename

■ Manually from the NetBackup Administration Console on the master server.

■ Automatically by an automatic export schedule.
If an error occurs now, check the bporaexp or bporaimp log.
2 bporaexp or bporaimp verifies its environment and then connects to Oracle
and NetBackup.
An Oracle environment problem, a database problem, an incorrect user ID, or
an incorrect password can cause Oracle connect errors.
A NetBackup error now is usually due to a problem with client and server
communication. Check the messages in the bprd and bpcd logs for clues.
Also verify the bp.conf entries on the UNIX or Linux client.
3 bporaexp or bporaimp issues a backup or restore request.

Before the backup or restore request proceeds, bporaexp or bporaimp

commands perform three functions:
■ Gather necessary parameters
■ The backup or restore request is sent to the NetBackup server
■ Wait until the server and client are ready to transfer data
 XML Archiver 291
Troubleshooting XML export or XML import errors

The NetBackup client interfaces gather information from the following places:
■ The environment, including bporaexp and bporaimp parameter files.
If you use scripts, you have to generate the parameter file manually.
■ Server configuration parameters on Windows.
■ The user’s bp.conf and /usr/openv/netbackup/bp.conf files on the UNIX
or Linux client.
This information is sent to the master server’s bprd process.
To troubleshoot a backup problem in this part of the sequence, examine the
following file:
Windows:

install_path\NetBackup\logs\bporaexp\log.mmddyy

UNIX:

/usr/openv/netbackup/logs/bporaexp/log.mmddyy

If the bprd process failed, check the bprd and bpbrm logs.
During this sequence, most failures occur because of incorrect NetBackup
server or Oracle policy configuration parameters.
NetBackup can usually select the correct Oracle policy and schedules. However,
NetBackup can select a policy or schedule in error if there are several Oracle
policies in its database.
In Windows, try setting the SERVER and POLICY values in the client environment
or by setting the following bporaexp parameters:

NB_ORA_POLICY=policyname
NB_ORA_SCHED=schedule
NB_ORA_SERV=Netbackup_server
NB_ORA_CLIENT=Netbackup_client

In UNIX, try setting the SERVER and POLICY values in the bp.conf file on the
client or by setting the following bporaexp parameters:

NB_ORA_POLICY=policyname
NB_ORA_SCHED=schedule
NB_ORA_SERV=Netbackup_server
NB_ORA_CLIENT=Netbackup_client

To troubleshoot a restore, examine the following log file:

 XML Archiver 292
Additional XML export and import logs

Windows:

install_path\NetBackup\logs\bporaimp\mmddyy.log

UNIX:

/usr/openv/netbackup/logs/bporaimp/log.mmddyy

Make sure that the correct NetBackup server and NetBackup client values are
used by setting the following bporaimp parameters:

NB_ORA_SERV=Netbackup_server
NB_ORA_CLIENT=Netbackup_client

Set these parameters to the same values that were used for the XML export
operation.
4 bporaexp or bporaimp issues read or write requests to the NetBackup client,
which then transfers data to or from the NetBackup server.
bporaexp builds an SQL query for each table being archived, and it uses the
Oracle Call Interface (OCI) to run the query. The query results are translated
into XML. The XML output is passed to the NetBackup client interfaces.
bporaimp uses the reverse process. That is, XML data is restored, parsed,
and inserted into the database.
A failure here is probably due to an Oracle error, or to a NetBackup media,
network, or time-out error.
5 bporaexp or bporaimp tells the NetBackup client to close the session and
disconnects from the Oracle database.
The NetBackup client waits for the server to complete its necessary actions
(backup image verification and so on) and then exits.
See “About troubleshooting NetBackup for Oracle” on page 204.
See “Minimizing timeout failures on large database restores” on page 217.
See “Troubleshooting each stage of the backup or restore” on page 214.
See “About NetBackup for Oracle troubleshooting steps” on page 205.

Additional XML export and import logs

The bporaexp and bporaimp utilities perform error logging and tracing in the file
that is specified by the LOG parameter. The log files contain Oracle errors and other
errors that are not related to NetBackup.
 XML Archiver 293
Additional XML export and import logs

When bporaexp and bporaimp are used and the backup images are written to a
storage unit, these errors are also logged in the NetBackup debug logs. These logs
appear in the following directories:
Windows:

install_path\NetBackup\logs\bporaexp
install_path\NetBackup\logs\bporaimp

UNIX and Linux:

/user/openv/netbackup/logs/bporaexp
/user/openv/netbackup/logs/bporaimp

When you use bporaexp and bporaimp and the backup images are written to an
operating system directory, the file that is specified by the LOG= parameter is the
only source of error logging and tracing.
 Appendix E
Register authorized
locations
This appendix includes the following topics:

■ Registering authorized locations used by a NetBackup database script-based

policy

Registering authorized locations used by a

NetBackup database script-based policy
During a backup, NetBackup checks for scripts in the default script location and
any authorized locations. The default, authorized script location for UNIX is
usr/openv/netbackup/ext/db_ext and for Windows is
install_path\netbackup\dbext. If the script is not in the default script location
or an authorized location, the policy job fails. You can move any script into the
default script location or any additional authorized location and NetBackup
recognizes the scripts. You need to update the policy with the script location if it
has changed. An authorized location can be a directory and NetBackup recognizes
any script within that directory. An authorized location can also be a full path to a
script if an entire directory does need to be authorized.
If the default script location does not work for your environment, use the following
procedure to enter one or more authorized locations for your scripts. Use
nbsetconfig to enter an authorized location where the scripts reside. You can also
use bpsetconfig, however this command is only available on the master or the
media server.
 Register authorized locations 295
Registering authorized locations used by a NetBackup database script-based policy

Note: One recommendation is that scripts should not be world-writable. NetBackup

does not allow scripts to run from network or remote locations. All scripts must be
stored and run locally. Any script that is created and saved in the NetBackup db_ext
(UNIX) or dbext (Windows) location needs to be protected during a NetBackup
uninstall.
For more information about registering authorized locations and scripts, review the
knowledge base article:
https://www.veritas.com/content/support/en_US/article.100039639

To add an authorized location

1 Open a command prompt on the client.
2 Use nbsetconfig to enter values for an authorized location. The client privileged
user must run these commands.
The following examples are for paths you may configure for the Oracle agent.
Use the path that is appropriate for your agent.
■ On UNIX:

[root@client26 bin]# ./nbsetconfig

nbsetconfig>DB_SCRIPT_PATH = /Oracle/scripts
nbsetconfig>DB_SCRIPT_PATH = /db/Oracle/scripts/full_backup.sh
nbsetconfig>
<ctrl-D>

■ On Windows:

C:\Program Files\Veritas\NetBackup\bin>nbsetconfig
nbsetconfig> DB_SCRIPT_PATH=c:\db_scripts
nbsetconfig> DB_SCRIPT_PATH=e:\oracle\fullbackup\full_rman.sh
nbsetconfig>
<ctrl-Z>

Note: Review the NetBackup Command Reference Guide for options, such
as reading from a text file and remotely setting clients from a NetBackup server
using bpsetconfig. If you have a text file with the script location or authorized
locations listed, nbsetconfig or bpsetconfig can read from that text file. An
entry of DB_SCRIPT_PATH=none does not allow any script to execute on a client.
The none entry is useful if an administrator wants to completely lock down a
server from executing scripts.
 Register authorized locations 296
Registering authorized locations used by a NetBackup database script-based policy

3 (Conditional) Perform these steps on any clustered database or agent node

that can perform the backup.
4 (Conditional) Update any policy if the script location was changed to the default
or authorized location.
 Index

Symbols backup (continued)

.xml 274 to appliance 86
.xsd 274 using scripts 119, 133, 272
/Oracle/XMLArchive 280 Backup Selections list
adding scripts 99
Database Backup Shares 88
A overview 98
ALTER_TABLESPACE 248, 255 BFILE_DIRECTORY 282
API binaries
error 213, 216, 288 pushing out 259
libobk module 205 BLI Backup
Application Backup schedule restores 256
for block level incremental backups 175 BLI no RMAN
with Snapshot Client 162 adding policies 241
archive 265–266 backup example 246
ARCHIVE_DATE_FROM 279, 282 cold backup 248
ARCHIVE_DATE_TO 279, 282 goodies directory 243
ARCHIVELOG 249, 255 hot backup 248
Auto snapshot type 183, 188 improving performance 261
automatic archive 272 mailid 243
automatic backups 254 requirements 240
Automatic Cumulative Incremental Backup schedule schedules 249
Snapshot Client effects 177 standard policy type 241
Automatic Differential Incremental Backup schedule workload 261
Snapshot Client effects 177 block level incremental
Automatic Full Backup schedule attributes 259
Snapshot Client effects 177 troubleshooting 259
with Snapshot Client 162 block level incremental backup
configuring 175
B overview 172
backup bp.conf 105
configure schedule 73 troubleshooting 215, 291
errors 258 BPBACKUP_POLICY 105
full 177 BPBACKUP_SCHED 105
manual backup 120, 272 bpend_notify 250, 260
media 36 BPEND_TIMEOUT 260
methods 249 bphdb log 211
methods or types of 248 bplist 121
performing 254 browsing for backups 121
policy 119, 133, 272 browsing for XML export archives 279
test 111 example 121
bporaexp 265–266, 273, 275
 Index 298

bporaexp64 275 D
bporaimp 268, 278–279 debug logs 257
performing a restore 281 accessing 210
bporaimp64 279, 281 debug level 212
bpstart_notify 250, 255 enabling 207
bpstart_notify.oracle_bli 249 troubleshooting with log files 207
BPSTART_TIMEOUT 260 UNIX 209
browsing archives 278 Windows 207
Differential snapshot type 183, 188
C DIRECTORY
check_coverage 245 parameter 275–276, 283
client read timeout property 217
CLIENT_NAME 103, 105 E
CLIENT_READ_TIMEOUT 103, 106 environment variables 178
clients list, for backup policies 97 environmental variables
Clone snapshot type 183, 188 user-directed backup 120
commands error
allocate channel 21, 90 checking 119
backup 21, 90, 117 correcting 258
bplist 121, 279 example
bporaexp 265–266, 273, 275 bplist 121
bporaimp 268, 278–279 examples
bporexp64 275 parameter files 272
change 118 RMAN script 107
copy 117 scripts 272
crosscheck 115 execution log 211–212
crosscheck backupset 115
delete expired backupset 117
list 118
F
register database 114 failed operation
report 118 troubleshooting 213, 288
reset database 114 file system
restore 117 growing 259
resync catalog 117 UNCOVERED 244
rman file-based operations 153
execute backups 120 FROMUSER 279, 283
execute scripts 121 Fulldata Storage Checkpoint 241
performing restore 126
script syntax 121 H
send 109 HELP 276, 283
set duplex 109 hot backup 248
switch 117
COMMIT 283 I
compatibility information 35
IGNORE_ROWS 283
configuration
INIT.ORA 251
database user authentication 110
installation
CONSISTENT 276
adding a license 37
Copy-on-write technology 183, 188
prerequisites for clusters 37
correcting errors 258
 Index 299

installation (continued) NetBackup

requirements for NetBackup servers 36 Client Service log on account configuring 110
instance group logs and reports 257
adding an instance 63 mode 275
automatic registration 64 server and client requirements 36
instant recovery Nodata Storage Checkpoint 241
configuration requirements 162
overview 151 O
policy configuration 162
offhost backup. See Snapshot Client
restore method 170
configuring 165
see Snapshot Client 151
overview 151
Oracle
K environment variables 250
KEYWORD 276, 279, 283 Intelligent Agent 249
policy for snapshot backups
L Oracle Intelligent Policy 181
using script-based Oracle policy creation
libobk
method 187
shared library module 206
registering an instance 60
licenses 37
sample scripts 108
LIST 284
Oracle Recovery Manager
parameters 278
errors 213
LOG 276, 284
example RMAN script 107
logs
OWNER 277
NetBackup progress 257

M P
parameter file 266, 269, 273
Managed by SLP retention 183, 188
parms operand 101
manual archive 272
PARTITIONS 277
manual backups 120, 254, 272
permission bits 260
maximum jobs per client 53
Plex snapshot type 183, 188
Maximum snapshot limit retention type 183, 188
Point-in-time copy 183, 188
Maximum Snapshots parameter 183, 188
Point-in-time rollback restores
Mirror-break-off technology 183, 188
Oracle policy 186
multi-streamed backups 218
policies
multiple copies feature 75, 94, 178
changing properties 31
multiplexing
creating 31
overview 13
policy configuration
adding clients 97
N attributes 93
NAME 276, 284 backup selections list 98
NB_ORA_CLIENT 269, 275–276, 278, 282, 284 for databases 91
NB_ORA_COPY_NUMBER 103 for Snapshot Client 163, 175
NB_ORA_POLICY 270, 275–276 overview 47
NB_ORA_SCHED 270, 275, 277 testing 111
NB_ORA_SERV 269, 275–276, 278, 282, 284 POLICY_IN_CONTROL 250–251
NB_PC_ORA_RESTORE variable 171 post_checkpoint_notify 250, 260
NetApp
number of snapshots per volume 183, 188
 Index 300

processes scripts
log files for NetBackup processes 210 bpend_notify 260
Progress Log 256 bpstart_notify.oracle_bli 249
proxy copy 152 check_coverage 245
notify 255
Q RMAN 22–23
scheduler 119, 133, 272
QUERY 277
XML export 270
send operand 120
R SERVER 103, 106
redirected restores 128, 285 setup_bli_scripts
redo log 245 contents of 250
reports 207 sample of 251
See also debug logs shared library module
All Logs Entries 207 libobk 206
database operations 204 SHUTDOWN_BKUP_RESTART 248, 255
restore SHUTDOWN_CKPT_RESTART 249, 255
errors 258 snapshot backup 150, 162, 170
multistream 126 configuration requirements 162
Point-in-time rollback 170 database objects included 162
snapshot rollback 170 policy configuration 162
to a different client 128, 285 restore method 170
user-directed 281 Snapshot Client
with Snapshot Client methods 170 configuring policies 162
XML import 267–268 effects on policies and schedules 177
RESTORE_SCHEMA_ONLY 284 file-based operations 153
RESTORE_TO_DIRECTORY 284 overview 151
restoring proxy copy 152
Point-in-time rollback 186 stream-based operations 153
retention period snapshot rollback 170
for Snapshot Client 178 Snapshot Type parameter 183, 188
RMAN SnapVault 171
browsing repository 121 Storage Checkpoint 174
querying repository 118 backup 249
script example 107 removing 259
scripts 181 stream-based operations 153
SEND 102
rman change command 123
rollback restores
T
tab
Point-in-time rollback 186
Backup Selections tab 79
ROW_BUFFER 277, 284
Instances and Databases tab 77
Oracle tab 81
S TABLES 277, 279, 285
schedules testing policy configuration 111
backup 119, 133, 272 timeout failures
frequency 74–75, 93–94 minimizing 217
properties 74–75, 93–94 TNS_ADMIN
properties for Snapshot Client 177 automatic registration 64
retention for Snapshot Client 178 manually adding instance 57
 Index 301

TNS_ADMIN (continued)
registering an instance 60
TOUSER 285
transaction logs
see archive logs 175

U
UNCOVERED file system 244
Unicode 263
unified logging 209–210
update_clients 259
Use Replication Director property 93
user-directed archive 272
user-directed restore 281
USERID 278, 285
UTF-8 263

V
VERBOSE 104, 106
Verifying installation 206
Veritas Storage Foundation 175
VIEWS 278

W
wizards
Policy Configuration 31

X
XML
archiving features 263
export 264
import 267
instance 264, 266, 268, 274
schema 263, 266, 268, 274