Cold Backup

[nizam]

Dear all,
I need guidelines how to perform a cold backup and which one command is better between tar and cpio ? For 23GB db size , is there any good estimated time to backup it ?

TQ

[Halo]

1. shutdown the db
2. copy controlfile, redo log files, all dbf files to a cold backup destination.
I believe tar might be better. As far as the time is concerned, it's a bit difficult to estimate it. Using the 'cp' command, it might take about an hour. Dunno how long it would take using the 'tar' command.

[marist89]

In order to get a successful cold backup you need to:
1. shutdown the database (normal or immediate)
2. copy all data files
3. copy all redo log files
4. copy all control files
5. copy all archived redo log files
6. copy the init.ora file (optional, but I like to do it)
7. copy the password files (optional, but I like to do it)
8. copy the $ORACLE_HOME directory (optional, once a week will suffice)

If you are adhering to OFA guidelines, you probably just will have to backup your mount points.

The method you use to backup your data (tar/cpio) depends on what you are most comfortable with. The time it takes to backup is highly dependant on the number of tape drives, how fast your hardware is, etc.

[moff]

Hi,

If the database is shutdown properly and is therefore consistent why do you need to backup the redo logs????

Moff

[rschulze]

Because it 's always good to have them on tape...

[marist89]

What happens if your tape is bad at the system01.dbf file? You have to go back to yesterday's cold backup and apply the archived redo logs...

[moff]

Hi,

I agree with backing up the ARCHIVE redo logs but what is the point in backing up the redo logs (maris89's point 3) all data in the redo logs should of been archived during the shutdown.

Moff