Oracle Database Backups using Legato

One of our user departments has an Oracle 10g database running on a Windows 2003 box. The ITS department performs the backups using Legato and the Legato Oracle Module. To the best of my knowledge, RMAN is not used for this particular database. I think it is a hot backup directly to tape, or maybe SAN storage.  

I know a plain and simple hot backups creates a worthless backup unless the tablespaces are put in backup mode or RMAN is used. The backup people believe the Legato Oracle Module will ensure the hot backup is good ... but I am not so sure. I thought the Legato Oracle Module just provided an interface for the Oracle database (eg. RMAN) to use Legato Backup and still write directly to tape. I don't think the Legato Oracle Module ensures the backup is good. Can somebody confirm, and even better, clarify, my understanding of how Legato Oracle Module works with Oracle to perform backups? Also, is RMAN still needed for the backup to be good? I expect they are backing up both data files (open of course) and archived log files.  

This entire situation is more political than it is anything else. I have suggested a test recovery be performed to validate the backup, but I didn't get feedback to make me believe that is going to happen. Also, the political nature of this issue means they don't me involved.  

Thanks for your responses!    

Sam Bootsma

Oracle Database Administrator

Information Technology Services
George Brown College

Phone: 416-415-5000 x4933
Fax: 416-415-4836
E-mail: sbootsma_at_gbrownc.on.ca <mailto:sbootsma_at_gbrownc.on.ca>  

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