RMAN

RMAN, or Recovery Manager, is a utility built into Oracle Database that automates backup, restore, and disaster recovery operations. It coordinates physical backups of datafiles, control files, archived redo logs, and server parameter files, and can perform point-in-time or complete recoveries. RMAN operates against a target database and can work with or without a separate recovery catalog.

A key feature is its metadata repository. Backups and related information can be stored in the target database’s control file, or, optionally, in a dedicated recovery catalog database. The recovery catalog provides a centralized repository for managing backups across multiple databases and retaining historical metadata beyond the control file’s lifetime.

RMAN supports a range of backup and recovery capabilities. It can create full or incremental backups, generate image copies, and perform block-level media recovery. It can validate backups, cross-check media availability, and report on production readiness. RMAN commands are scriptable and can be run interactively or as automated jobs. Typical workflows involve connecting to the target database (and optionally to a recovery catalog), issuing BACKUP, RESTORE, and RECOVER commands, and using LIST, REPORT, VALIDATE, and ADVISE for monitoring and planning.

In practice, RMAN is often used with parallel channels to optimize throughput, and it can integrate with third-party media management solutions. Its design emphasizes reliability and repeatability, enabling consistent backup strategies and streamlined restoration in the event of data loss or corruption.