Oracle online database backups

Unlike the IBM OpenPages® OPBackup utility, the Oracle online database backup function does not require shutting down access to database operations before backing up the database.

It can perform an incremental backup in the background at a designated interval while allowing full user access to the OpenPages database and OpenPages services. It also allows point in time recovery of the OpenPages database with minimal chance of data loss.

In contrast, OPBackup and OPRestore can only do a full backup and restore of the database and other files (not incremental). Because full backups are typically performed less frequently than incremental backups, the possibility of significant data loss in the event of a system crash is greater than for the Oracle online database backup and recovery solution.

Note:
  • The Oracle online database backup function can only perform a physical bit-for-bit backup of a single OpenPages database instance and only on one machine.
  • Operation of online database backup in an Oracle RAC (cluster) environment is not supported.

In contrast, OPBackup performs a logical backup of all database instances in the cluster, as well as the OpenPages storage directory and application environment files.