Re: Recovery Catalog vs Control File

On Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:07:42 -0700 (PDT), exec_at_chicagorsvp.com wrote:

>
>I've read a lot about this concept, Recovery Catalog vs Control File.
>I'm just looking for some real life experience comments.
>
>I've always thought that using a recovery catalog only gives you yet
>another instance to back up.
>
>What are some of your experiences.......it'd help me make my
>decision. Reading is not the same as getting real life comments......

The problem with your question is it doesn't mention the database version you are using.
RMAN has been revised with every release of Oracle, amongst others making the recovery catalog more and more optional. If you are on 9i, you will need a recovery catalog to recover your database through a resetlogs operation.
This is becaused all history in a controlfile is virtually wiped out during a resetlogs and you don't have any info on the SCN of the last resetlogs.  

On 10g this is no longer required, as you can include the resetlogs scn in the file specification of your archivelog.

So the key factor in answering this question is: - What operations *require* a recovery catalog - Am I planning to use those operations frequently.

Hth

-- 
Sybrand Bakker
Senior Oracle DBA