Actually doing it to disk is the simpler bit. I don't mind doing it to tape but that gets more complex, especially with the MML.

I know about the two types of backup (i.e. tape and disk), what I can't figure out (and it is frustrating the living daylights out of me), is how come the directory in the 'format' command looks on the target database server? Who in their right mind would WANT to backup a database on the same server the databse resides. Is it just me or is this a staright forward problem? Oracle seem so baffled about this. I can't believe that no one before has not had the need to back up a database to a disk other than the server it resides on.

Thanks for your help, but I think I am resigning myself to the fact that the product is incapable of this simple action.

Any help you (or anyone out there) might offer is highly appreciated.

Thanks,
Nirasha