Re: Oracle archive mode and hot backups

On Aug 6, 4:35 pm, Jeff Morgan <jefang6..._at_gmail.com> wrote:
> We have an Oracle 10g database on UNIX moving to a new data center.
> We are still testing a stage server. The DBA state that the standard
> is to have the database in archive mode to allow for hot backups.
>

It's an option, not the ' standard', as there are shops usnig cold backup strategies and doing quite well.

> We ran into an issue when the 17 gigs of space in the archive folder
> was full.  

Obviously the DBA wasn't managing the archivelog destination properly.

> The DBA's solution was to write a script to automatically
> delete archive files when the folder reaches 10 gigs.  I questioned
> the need to create archive files if they are ultimately deleted.  

An excellent question.

> The
> DBA stated that the actual archive files are not used and can be
> deleted.  The archive mode is only used for hot backups.
>

I'd be questioning the qualifications of this 'DBA'. The archivelogs ARE needed so one can restore and RECOVER from that 'hot backup'. Simply trashing them without first backing them up is He has seriously jeopardized the entire recovery process with his 'expert' opinion.

> From what I have researched, the archive files are required for
> recovery.  Can anyone shed some light on the whole archive/hot backup?

David Fitzjarrell Received on Thu Aug 06 2009 - 20:29:54 CDT