Archived logs backup

Hi,

I would like to know should i switch logfile first before I backup the archive logs at OS level? I saw some articles that say that some archive logs are not properly backup which results in incomplete recovery. Can someone help me to confirm how to backup the archived logs correctly please? Thanks!

Yep always switch the logfile after completing a hot backup
i.e. when tablespaces (and their datafiles) are backed up. Switch the logfile. Then backup the archive log files.

Hint: You can always past a unarchived redo log as an archive log, in the event a recovery complains the database or more specifically datafile is out of sync. Just don't reset logs before you do this :)
I would suggest (if you have the benefit of time) to always run a job to check for table corruptions. In these days of NOLOGGING, nasty things can happen.
It is one of those things which should be a grantable privilege (Are you listening out there ORACLE?) not a right, as people can get carried away and then complain when their table can't be recovered ;)

Have Fun