Best strategy for backing up Oracle databases

[kratos]

Hello everyone,

I would like to discuss the best strategy for backing up Oracle databases (if this is allowed here). We are dealing with Oracle 19 databases (Enterprise Edition) on Windows servers. We are testing both methods, Oracle Image-Level backup and Veeam Plug-in for Oracle RMAN.

Oracle Image-Level backup

Positives:

• Instant recovery possible
• Backup via network (NBD) or storage snapshots
• GFS functionality on the repository
• Can be outsourced to tapes

Negatives:

• Comprehensive recovery options like Block Recovery are missing (RMAN functionality)
• Data recovery without Instant Recovery is significantly slower than with the Veeam Plugin-in for Oracle RMAN

Veeam Plug-in for Oracle RMAN

Positives:

• Fast backup: We back up two databases, each with 1041 GB, in about 17-21 minutes
• Fast recovery
• Comprehensive recovery options like Block Recovery for Enterprise Edition, etc. (RMAN functionality)

Negatives:

• No instant recovery
• Backup only via the network
• No GFS functionality on the repository
• No outsourcing to tapes

We previously relied on Oracle RMAN integration with our old backup solution. RMAN has always worked quickly and reliably. We switched to Veeam to restore hundreds of systems quickly in the event of a ransomware attack.

We see RMAN integration as superior if we need to restore individual systems. Unfortunately, important functionalities such as outsourcing to tape are missing here.
With Oracle Image-Level integration, we believe we can restore the whole infrastructure faster in the event of a ransomware attack. Additionally, we could outsource our backups to tape.
Therefore, we are wondering if there is a way to combine both methods, and we would like to exchange ideas on best practices.

Best regards,
kratos

[PetrM]

Hi Patrick,

I don't see any problem with combining both approaches. Moreover, image-level backup enables additional server level protection.

I would suggest the following:
1. Create an image-level backup job with guest processing enabled and ensure that the option "Do not delete archived logs" is selected: we cannot process logs with both image-level and RMAN jobs.
2. Schedule this job to run 1-2 times per week.
3. Create an RMAN script and schedule fulls, differentials/cumulative, and archived logs backup. The most common schedule is weekly fulls, daily differentials, and 15/60 minutes archived logs backup.

As a result, you will have all the advantages of both approaches, including instant recovery, backup to tape, and highly-performant RMAN backups. Additionally, take a look at this blog, it presents the idea of GFS with RMAN plug-in.

Thanks!

[kratos]

Thanks Petr, we will need some time to test everything, but it sounds like a good idea for an Oracle backup concept.

[biplob9s]

Hi Everyone,

nice posts for everyone who are using veeam Backup. i little bit confuse which process can i use for ODB backup.
can create different Individual job for Oracle Image-Level backup and Veeam Plug-in for Oracle RMAN?

@kratos have you test everything?

Thanks,
Biplob

[PetrM]

Hello,

Yes, you can create different jobs, but make sure that the image-level job does not process archived logs, select "Do not delete archived logs" and uncheck "Back up logs every" in this step of the job wizard.

Thanks!