Re: Oracle 8i, copy database on new server and replay redologs

Well, you could try paying for support!

The control file is what oracle uses to tell what the database thinks is current, recovery in essence compares what the data file headers think is reality to what the controlfile thinks. So, if you copy all the files from the cold backup to the new machine, copy the control file off somewhere else, place the latest controlfile and all the intervening archivelogs in the appropriate locations and then recover, maybe it will do what you want. Or maybe not, my brain isn't entirely in this old stuff right now. Google this group for many examples, among other places.

Another recovery option is "using backup controlfile" which can be thought of as a fancy way of telling Oracle you can use the cold backed up controlfile, but don't stop applying logs until you decide enough have been applied. But then you need to resetlogs, and you need to backup after a resetlogs if you are ever going to run any transactions against the db - but like David said, you can't apply any more logs to recover after that.

Another thing to check out is the old "manual" style of standby log application. You create a special standby controlfile from the primary, and... well, you can read about that.

Vladimir said it best, RMAN is your friend and you need to practice recovery until you can be shaken out of your drunken revery at 3:00AM and not goof it up.

It all kind of depends what you want to use this database for. A onetime  move? Reporting? Disaster recovery? Playtime? Upgrade? Data Mining? Theft of trade secrets? Password cracking?

I've found exports are indeed handy for having the data around to fix small user errors.

As far as when to take hot backups, you need to establish a service level agreement with the business management. I'd wonder about the tactical and strategic judgment of any management that still has Oracle 8i in production, though. Good luck.

jg

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