Database Software

bzip2 is the native compression available in 11gr1, you are NOT using advanced compression
If you were to use zlib as the compression algorithm, then you would require the advanced compression option.

see http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/B28359_01/backup.111/b28270/rcmconfa.htm#BRADV89466

Thanks Craig for the prompt reply.

I have another 11.2 database and it's compression is set to -

CONFIGURE COMPRESSION ALGORITHM 'BASIC' AS OF RELEASE 'DEFAULT' OPTIMIZE FOR LOAD TRUE ; # default

Does it mean that "BASIC" is also the native comression and it defaults to BZIP2.

May be value of LOW, MEDIUM and HIGH will be the Advanced Compression Option.

Please confirm.

Thanks!

I'll be honest I don't know what compression algorithm is used by the BASIC setting in 11gR2, but I would assume it is BZIP2, and hence there is no cost to using the BASIC setting.
Yes, if you choose LOW, MEDIUM or HIGH then you would need to purchase the advanced compression option

see http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/E11882_01/backup.112/e10642/rcmconfa.htm#CHDEHCEB

Yes, looks like we are good. Found one of the post by Kevin Kemph and he states -

If you don’t have Advanced Compression, you set it to BASIC.

If you do have Advanced Compression enabled, you can choose between HIGH, MEDIUM and LOW.

In reality, these terms map out as follows:

HIGH = unmodified BZIP2
MEDIUM = ZLIB
LOW = LZO
BASIC = BZIP2

What does this mean to the average person?

If you’re not using advanced compression, or are already using bzip2 and you wish to continue to use compression, simply do one of the following

configure compression algorithm basic;
configure compression algorithm clear;

If you are using advanced compression and have bzip2 or zlib set, you need to select a level before running backup to avoid an ORA- error:

configure compression algorithm [high/medium/low];
configure compression algorithm clear;

Thanks Craig once again!