Asked Tom the below question. I don't understand his response (I just don't get it - how?!). I don't wanna pest him anymore. Can someone enlighten this dim wit (me)?

Thanks.

Excerpt :
"Just to replay the case - A single machine hosted the target and the catalog. The catalog was last backed up at 10pm last night. The target was backed up at 8am this morning (and at 8am yesterday, using the catalog). Target archivelogs were backed up every hour (using RMAN). The machine blew this afternoon at 4pm. I've lost EVERYTHING (including all controlfiles) concerning the target and the catalog. Unfortunately, I was then only able to restore the catalog as of a point in time - 10pm last night. Now, using this catalog - I can only restore an OLD target controlfile. No matter what, I would only be able to restore/recover the target database as of 10pm (or earlier) yesterday. Correct?" Note : Controlfile auto backup feature was NOT turned on for target


His response :
"you would get everything -- everything would be recoverable. The backed up data exists, it is out there. rman knows what it would have called it.

See chapter 10 of the 9ir2 rman guide -- various scenario's are played out there. In particular:

Performing Recovery with a Backup Control File and No Recovery Catalog"

-------------------

I've read the User guide. I've re-read the chapter 10 over and over again. I simply don't get it!! How would I be able to perform a complete recovery (excluding online logs ofcourse) with an outdated catalog and/or an old target controlfile?

Here's the thread if you're interested

http://asktom.oracle.com/pls/ask/f?p...:7145177199678

The bottom few posts on Jun 08 are by me.

PS : I won't be online Jun11 thru 14th. If you don't receive a reply to your response, you know why.