Re: Backup trends (2): HOT or COLD

On 2004-04-03, Bob Jones <email_at_me.not> wrote:
>
> "Sybrand Bakker" <gooiditweg_at_sybrandb.demon.nl> wrote in message
> news:iu7r60pn591202gj49596rvg82s32qr7gq_at_4ax.com...
>> On Fri, 2 Apr 2004 07:37:30 +0000 (UTC), Lucyna Witkowska
>> <ypwitkow_at_nospamcyf-kr.edu.pl> wrote:
>>
>> >Sorry, I made a stupid version error and discussion "went to raspberry
>> >bushes" (as we say in Poland).
>> >So I try again. ;-)
>> >Oracle 8.1.7.2 (version supported by the application developer).
>> >Is there any admin (8.1.7.2, 8.1.7.4) that rely only on RMAN warm
> backups?
>> >
>> >Greetings,
>> >Lucyna Witkowska
>>
>> Sure, why not.
>> RMAN is much more stable than any home grown korn shell script.
>> For some time I'm trying to get the home grown scripts out of the
>> window. They are too inflexible and many of them require maintenance
>> when datafiles are added. RMAN doesn't need that.
>>
>>
>> --
>> Sybrand Bakker, Senior Oracle DBA
>
> I have to disagree. We have been using shell scripts to backup for years and
> never have any problem. They do not require maintenance if datafiles are
> added. I have never used RMAN. Does it backup files with OS copy, or Oracle
> special commands to backup only the data not the empty space in the data
> files? I would consider RMAN only if the later is true.

        One of my objections to RMAN is that it doesn't seem to support a simple & easy way to clone all of the database files in a manner similar to a shell script backup. The fact that RMAN essentially forces you to use a proprietary tar format offends my engineering sensibilities. What gets pased off the MML should be something that can be effectively manipulated (in a meaningful way) with any other Unix tool.

        If a particular instance of "korn shell backup tool" doesn't handle new files without "maintenance", that problem really only needs to be fixed once (and forever).

-- 
The public has a right to free music. It's part of the bargain that
was originally made with musicians and publishers. It's time that the   |||
debate was shifted to reflect that. Robber Barons and their Toadies    / | \
are distracting us from the original facts of the situation.