RMAN | Oracle 11gR2(11.2.0.4) | Restoring Linux Backup to Windows Instance

rthampi

Hi guys

I managed to restore a RMAN backup that was created on Linux (OEL 6.x) to a Windows instance. The instance is up and running (learning lab) & I have checked for invalid objects and the count is 0. Prior attempting the cross-platform restore, I was mostly reading about Transportable database for platform migration & opted RMAN restore for a scenario when the SOURCE is not anymore accessible and I am left with ONLY the backups (and ignoring that I can setup another Linux environment, restore, do with transportable database factor).

As I have the instance online and could perform all the intended, what are the possible issues I may face with such a migration in a production environment? Please explain

thanks and regards,

rajesh

John Thorton

rthampi wrote:Hi guysI managed to restore a RMAN backup that was created on Linux (OEL 6.x) to a Windows instance. The instance is up and running (learning lab) & I have checked for invalid objects and the count is 0. Prior attempting the cross-platform restore, I was mostly reading about Transportable database for platform migration & opted RMAN restore for a scenario when the SOURCE is not anymore accessible and I am left with ONLY the backups (and ignoring that I can setup another Linux environment, restore, do with transportable database factor).As I have the instance online and could perform all the intended, what are the possible issues I may face with such a migration in a production environment? Please explainthanks and regards,rajesh

Oracle  is OS agnostic.

Oracle does not know or care about the underlying OS & has no memory about the "previous" OS.

As a learning exercise post SQL & results that show OS name & version.

rthampi

Hello John

Here are the details

SQL> col INSTANCE_NAME format a10
SQL> col VERSION format a15
SQL> col STATUS format a10
SQL> SELECT INSTANCE_NAME, VERSION, STATUS FROM V$INSTANCE
  2  /

INSTANCE_N VERSION         STATUS
---------- --------------- ----------
linuxdb    11.2.0.4.0      OPEN

SQL> col NAME format a15
SQL> col PLATFORM_NAME format a30
SQL> SELECT NAME, PLATFORM_NAME from v$database;

NAME            PLATFORM_NAME
--------------- ------------------------------
LINUXDB         Microsoft Windows x86 64-bit

Regards,

rajesh

jgarry

As John didn't quite note (I assume because you specified instance), rman handles most differences transparently.  Having a platform with the same endianess and a compatible character set helps some. (see select platform query in https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E11882_01/backup.112/e10642/rcmxplat.htm#BRADV89985 )

Of course, there are other things that can happen with rman.  That's why you need to  practice practice practice test test test until you can handle it in your sleep, because that's when issues tend to arise.

JohnWatson2

Can you use this Linux -> Windows move to motivate the upgrade to release 12? You can take backup sets across platforms in 12, whereas in 11 you are limited to using image copies. Using backup sets saves a huge amount of downtime. Can be single digit minutes.

rthampi

Hello Jgarry

To be quite frank, I am a novice with RMAN & my initial post to was to insure that my lab tests are towards a constructive learning curve. I've read about transportable databases and my next attempts would be to establish those described in the document you have pointed.

thanks & regards,

rajesh

rthampi

JohnWatson2 wrote:Can you use this Linux -> Windows move to motivate the upgrade to release 12? You can take backup sets across platforms in 12, whereas in 11 you are limited to using image copies. Using backup sets saves a huge amount of downtime. Can be single digit minutes.

Hello John

I have copied backup sets from Linux to Windows and built the instance OR I truly didn't understand what you meant by 11g image copies? Please explain

regards,

rajesh

jgarry

It appeared to me that you might be a novice, and that's ok.  You do need to become adept with the docs, and that's not trivial for backups - there are so many features for differently scaled sites, it can be daunting.  So if you see a term you don't recognize, like image copy, search for it in the docs and online.

There are some books you can buy that can help (though I won't recommend because I don't know what is good these days).  But you can start with the docs https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E11882_01/backup.112/e10642/rcmquick.htm#BRADV89346 and tutorial http://www.oracle.com/webfolder/technetwork/tutorials/obe/db/12c/r1/2day_dba/12cr1db_ch9bkuprec/12cr1db_ch9bkuprec.html

Not losing data is job #1 for database administrators.  A key part of this is proper recovery strategy.  Nobody cares much about backups - it's the recovery that counts.  This then becomes the basis for all the consequential operations like duplication and propagation.  That's why it is RMAN - Recovery Manager.  A database is a dynamic place, having it shut down doesn't get much done.

You don't actually have to use RMAN - but it makes things a lot easier, including avoiding the mistakes that used to be common.  And you always need to understand the concepts and what actually has to happen.

Good luck and never stop learning!

Unknown

As I have the instance online and could perform all the intended, what are the possible issues I may face with such a migration in a production environment? Please explain

Please post a link to the Oracle docs section containing the steps you followed to do that cross-platform 'restore'.

rthampi

Hello rp0428

There are no documents, so I asked the question at the 1st place. I gave it a try, got stuck at few places. Used my logic & was able to "restore". Then I wanted to KNOW from the experts WHAT the MESS I am dealing with.

thanks & regards,

rajesh

JohnWatson2

rthampi wrote:JohnWatson2 wrote:Can you use this Linux -> Windows move to motivate the upgrade to release 12? You can take backup sets across platforms in 12, whereas in 11 you are limited to using image copies. Using backup sets saves a huge amount of downtime. Can be single digit minutes.Hello JohnI have copied backup sets from Linux to Windows and built the instance OR I truly didn't understand what you meant by 11g image copies? Please explainregards,rajesh

It is impossible to restore a backup set made on Linux to Windows. Impossible - until you upgrade to release 12. So whatever you did, it was NOT that.

From para 28.6 of the 12.2 Backup and Recover Users Guide:

Note:

To perform cross-platform data transport using backup sets, the version of the destination database must be Oracle Database 12c Release 1 (12.1) or later.