RMAN create multiple backup sets when "keep" clause is used

[cleegt]

Dear All,

I am trying to use the following command to backup the spfile with retention period 7 days:

>>>>
RMAN> backup spfile keep until time 'sysdate+7' tag='D_SP_TEST';
<<<<

However, RMAN creates 4 backup sets instead of one. Does anyone has any idea why? If I don't use the "keep" clause, I don't have this problem.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks and Regards,

-- Chris

[ebrian]

Typically, KEEP will create multiple backup sets. Therefore, it would seem that one is for the SPFILE, one is for the archivelogs, one is for the controlfile and the additional one would be for any datafiles and since you aren't backing up any datafiles, it produces a backupset with just another backup of the spfile.

To create only one backupset, you could issue the following instead:

backup spfile keep until time 'sysdate+7' nologs tag='D_SP_TEST';

[cleegt]

Thanks a lot for your information!

Regards,

-- Chris

[gandolf989]

You will also generate multiple backups sets by using multiple channels during the backup.

[ebrian]

You will also generate multiple backups sets by using multiple channels during the backup.

However, in the case presented above with the NOLOGS, only one backupset (piece) will be created. Unless of course, CONTROLFILE AUTOBACKUP is ON.