This preface contains:
The following are changes in Oracle Secure Backup Reference for Oracle Database 12c Release 1 (12.1.0.3).
New Features
Network interface selection for hosts
You can configure a preferred network interface for outbound connections from a host.
Backup job ownership
Ownership of file-system backups can be transferred to an Oracle Secure Backup user who is different from the user who created the backup.
The following are changes in Oracle Secure Backup Reference for Oracle Database 12c Release 1 (12.1).
The following features are new in Oracle Secure Backup 12c Release 1 (12.1):
Backup and Restore Operations Using Disk
Oracle Secure Backup provides integrated disk backup and restore capabilities. You can use disk for both file-system and Oracle Database backup and restore operations. To use disks, you need to create and manage a new type of device called disk pools.
You can also create multiple instances of a backup, each on a different storage device. The properties of each copy can be modified and managed separately. Oracle Secure Backup distinguishes the metadata that defines the backup from the actual backup data. A backup image refers to the metadata related to a backup operation. The actual data stored on tape or disk is called a backup image instance. A single backup image can have multiple backup image instances
See the following commands for more information about using disk as a storage medium for backups:
Automatic Device Discovery
Oracle Secure Backup simplifies the process of confugring devices by providing a single command that discovers and configures devices that are attached to media servers. This includes NDMP filers and media servers that run Oracle Secure Backup software.
See the following commands:
Improved Catalog Browsing
You can now search for multiple backup entries while browsing the backup catalog.You can use Oracle Secure Backup wildcard pattern matching while providing required backup details. Wildcard pattern matching uses a set of character patterns to search for related backups without providing complete information.
See the following command:
Enhancements to Restoring Backups
Oracle Secure Backup now also enables you to restore multiple backup entries using wildcard pattern matching.
See the following command:
Storing Catalog Data on Tape
Importing backup catalog from tape to the Oracle Secure Backup domain was possible with the previous product architecture. The new method, introduced in 12.1, of importing and cataloging volume sets is much faster.
This process stores the backup catalog data after the backup image instance on tape. The backup catalog data contains the information required to rebuild that backup image instance in the current Oracle Secure Backup domain. This makes it easier for the user to view the details of a stored backup and select it for restore.
See the following command:
Managing User Passwords
With Oracle Secure Backup 12.1, you can set advanced settings for your user password. Three new settings and password policies have been introduced.
Password lifetime determines the duration of validity of a password, in number of days. Password grace time determines the duration for which a user can continue using a password after its lifetime expires. Password reuse time specifies the duration after which a user can reuse an old Oracle Secure Backup password.
The option to force a password change has also been introduced.
See the following commands:
Extended Attribute Enhancements
Oracle Secure Backup now enables you to perform backup and restore operations for files and directories associated with extended attributes and access control lists on UNIX like platforms.
In some cases, earlier Oracle Secure Backup domains cannot read backup images containing extended attributes. In such scenarios, Oracle Secure Backup gives you the option to perform the backup without saving the associated extended attributes and access control lists
See the following
-A option of the obtar command .
"Oracle Secure Backup Support for Extended Attributes and Access Control Lists"
Volume Status
Oracle Secure Backup 12.1 supports a volume status for each individual volume. A volume's status can be usable (default), read only, or out of service. Only a volume that is marked as usable will be considered during the backup volume selection process. A volume marked as read only or out of service will not be considered for any tape write operation.
See the following
Domain SSL Certificate Renewal and Management
Oracle Secure Backup provides a method for renewing domain SSL certificates and specifying a new lifetime of the domains SSL certificates. The SSL certificates can be renewed automatically or manually for increased security.
See the following
Set Priority for RMAN Backup and Restore
Oracle Secure Backup provides a means for setting the priority of an RMAN backup or restore job. The job priority can be set by an RMAN environment variable using the ENV parameter of the PARMS option on the CONFIGURE or ALLOCATE CHANNEL commands. The job priority can also be set in the Database Storage Selector.
See the following
The following feature is deprecated in this release, and may be desupported in a future release:
obcopy utility
The obcopy utility copies one tape volume to another. This utility is deprecated.
It is recommended that you use the dupvol command to duplicate a tape volume.