Using NetBackup for SAP on Oracle databases with RMAN
NetBackup for SAP implements the Oracle defined SBT interface, which integrates the SAP tools with RMAN.
You do not need to use RMAN to use NetBackup for SAP on Oracle databases, but the benefits of using RMAN backups are as follows:
RMAN supports incremental backups, which are backups of only those blocks that have changed since the previous backup. This results in a reduced number of blocks being backed up. Unused and unchanged database blocks are not backed up.
RMAN detects logical errors in database blocks during backup processing.
The BEGIN BACKUP and END BACKUP commands are not needed for online backups because RMAN performs a block-by-block check to verify data consistency. This results in a reduced amount of redo log information.
You can use RMAN's verify command to verify backups.
Figure: Software components in a NetBackup for SAP on Oracle database environment with RMAN shows a NetBackup for SAP on Oracle database environment that includes RMAN.
If you are in a NetBackup for SAP on Oracle database environment with RMAN, the backup consists of the following phases:
Phase 1 backs up the Oracle database files.
Phase 2 backs up the SAP control, log, and configuration files.