Backup options

A backup set is created when performing a backup. A backup set is a logical structure containing one or more physical backup pieces, such as datafiles or archived logs. Each backup piece must have a unique name.

Backup file name format specifies the file name format to use for the backup pieces created during the backup. Any name that results in a legal file name on the platform is allowed.

When specifying the backup file format, the following substitution variables are available to aid in the generation of unique backup piece names.

%p	Specifies the backup piece number within the backup set.
%s	Specifies the backup set number.
%d	Specifies the database name.
%n	Specifies the padded database name.
%t	Specifies the backup set time stamp.
%u	Specifies an 8 character name composed of compressed representations of the backup set number and the time the backup set was created.

The following are valid only with Oracle 8.1. and later:

%c	Specifies the copy number of the backup piece within a set of duplexed backup pieces.
%U	Specifies a shorthand for %u_%p_%c that guarantees uniqueness in generated backup file names.

NetBackup recommends that a %t be placed at the end of the backup filename format. Without this timestamp, there may be performance degradation as the NetBackup catalog grows.

Caution:

Create a filename format that will generate unique filenames. In Oracle 8.0.x, non-unique filenames can cause backup data to be overwritten, resulting in possible loss of data. In later Oracle versions, non-unique filenames will result in error messages.

Backup set identifier specifies an identifier for the backup set. A backup set can be given a user-specified identifier called a tag, which is a character string that is not a reserved word, typically a meaningful name like "monday_evening_backup" or "weekly_full_backup". This field is optional.

For information on backup options refer to the Oracle Backup and Recovery Guide.