Configuring backups to disk

One option for backing up the Oracle database is backing up to disk. Ensure that you have sufficient space available.

You can also change the default backup location, if necessary.

To change the default backup location

On Solaris, log in as the oracle user.
On Windows, log in as the AgfaService user.
In a command prompt to launch sqlplus, type sqlplus / as sysdba
In sqlplus, execute the command show parameter db_recovery;
The backup directory is listed; for example, /dbase/flashback/db_recovery_area.
To change the backup location, type
alter system set db_recovery_file_dest = '/new_backup_directory/backup_directory';
where /new_backup_directory/backup_directory is the path to the new backup location.
To confirm that the location has been changed correctly, type
show parameter db_recovery;
To exit out of sqlplus, type
quit
To update the dbbackup.cfg file with the correct target backup directory, configure the backups to disk (see the following).

To configure backups to disk on Solaris

Log in as the oracle user.
Run the configure_backup command.
If asked what type of backup to perform, type diskonly.
When asked how many versions of the backup to keep, type at least 2.

This is the number of full backups that should be kept. Having at least one extra backup on hand helps guard against data loss due to disk corruption,

A series of RMAN commands appear. When the process is finished, the Recovery Manager complete message appears.

To configure backups to disk on Windows

Log in as the AgfaService user.
Run the configure_backup command.
When asked how many versions of the backup to keep, type at least 2.

This is the number of full backups that should be kept. Having at least one extra backup on hand helps guard against data loss due to disk corruption.

A series of RMAN commands appear. When the process is finished, the Recovery Manager complete message appears.