The Challenge:
Replicate Oracle transaction information logs between two or more locations on a regular basis for backup and disaster recovery. Transfer the minimum of content required, in the least amount of time.

RDS Configuration:
Setup your Oracle Database to ARCHIVELOG mode. Archived log files are redo logs that have been filled with redo, made inactive and copied or archived to a backup location.

The set of redo log files for a database is collectively known as the database's redo log. Oracle uses the redo log to record all changes made to data. The information in a redo log file is used only to recover the database from a system or media failure that prevents database data from being written to a database's datafiles.

When in ARCHIVELOG mode, the database can be completely recovered from both instance and disk failure. The database can also be backed up while it is open and available for use.

Configure RDS to:

• Define an upload replication job from the server where the Oracle database resides, to the backup server. Schedule the job to run at the end of each day or at any time interval required. The replication will be submitted unattended through background processes, regardless of whether the user who defined the job is actively logged on.
  
• Enable the Differential Transfer option, to send only the data appended to the log files.
  
• Optional: Setup the RDS job to use e-mail notification, to notify the administrator as to the status of the replication.
  
  

The Solution:
Instead of using tape, sending it over and spend hours of downtime, you can now move tremendous amounts of transaction data files as part of your backup and disaster recovery process, seamlessly and effectively.

RDS allows fast, scheduled replication to any remote location. It can be controlled and monitored from any location. Replicating the Oracle Log files to a remote backup site, makes data instantly available for recovery. The automatic backup process runs unattended, asynchronously, as a service.

Using Differential Transfer options, RDS supports block level updates. As Oracle Log files are appended, (new data is added to the end of the log file), using the differential transfer option accelerates the transfer time, replicating only the new data in the log.

To verify that differential transfer is actually used, please refer to the Replicating using Differential Transfer FAQ.

RDS guarantees accurate replication down to the permissions of a directory or a file and a secured data transfer - encrypted and authenticated. Other features include robust security model, control over network bandwidth usage and rich reporting capabilities.

NOTE: RDS can be used to replicate only Oracle Archived Logs. It CANNOT be used to replicate Oracle Control Files.

Resources: Oracle8^TM Server Backup and Recovery Guide Release 8.0



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