Export Data from OCI Database Services

This article explains how to export data from Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) Database as a Service (DBaaS) to on-premises systems or other cloud environments.

Customers using OCI Database Services—including Exadata Database Service on Cloud@Customer, Exadata Database Service on Dedicated Infrastructure, Exadata Database Service on Exascale Infrastructure, and Base Database Service—can export their data to on-premises environments or to other public cloud providers.

OCI DBaaS customers have multiple, fully supported options to move their data out of Oracle Cloud, ensuring flexibility, portability, and no lock-in. The supported export methods include:

  • Oracle Data Pump (expdp/impdp): Export database schemas or full databases to dump files, stage them in OCI Object Storage or local file systems, and transfer them to on-premises or other cloud object stores.
  • RMAN Backup/Restore: Create backup sets and copy them to OCI Object Storage, NFS, or directly to on-premises storage. Backups can then be restored in any Oracle Database environment outside OCI.
  • SQL*Loader/External Tables: Unload data in formats such as CSV or Parquet to file or Object Storage for easy integration into on-premises data lakes or third-party cloud analytics platforms.
  • Oracle GoldenGate: Replicate data in real time from OCI DBaaS to on-premises Oracle Databases or heterogeneous targets in other cloud providers.
  • OCI Database Migration Service (DMS): A managed service that leverages Oracle GoldenGate for online or offline migrations to on-premises or other cloud providers.
  • Transportable Databases or Tablespaces: Oracle Database files can be directly copied and mounted by an Oracle instance on-premises or in a different cloud.

With these tools, customers can move data securely and efficiently—whether they need one-time exports, continuous replication, or large-scale backups—giving them the freedom to integrate Oracle Databases into a multi-cloud or hybrid-cloud architecture.

Related Topics

Common Database Export Mechanisms

Regardless of which OCI DBaaS flavor is used, Oracle Databases provide multiple ways to move data:

Oracle Data Pump (expdp/impdp)

Use Data Pump Export (expdp) to export a schema or an entire database into dump files.

Dump files can be written to:

  • OCI Object Storage
    • Using the DBMS_CLOUD package to stage dump files in Object Storage
    • Or via Oracle Data Pump integration with pre-authenticated URLs
  • Local Filesystem (DB Node Storage)
    • Write dump files locally on the DB server node
    • Copy them out using standard tools such as scp or rsync

RMAN Backup/Restore

RMAN provides a reliable and flexible solution for backing up and restoring Oracle Databases across cloud and on-premises environments.

  • Backup Options:
    • RMAN can back up databases to OCI Object Storage using the Database Backup Cloud Service module.
    • Backup pieces can also be copied to on-premises environments or other object storage repositories as needed.
  • Restore Options: RMAN restore can be performed in any supported target database environment.

SQL*Loader / External Tables

Use SQL*Loader or External Tables to handle partial or large-scale data unloads.

  • Options for Exporting Data:
    • UTL_FILE: A PL/SQL package that allows the database to read and write files on the server’s filesystem, commonly used to generate CSV or text files.
    • ORACLE_DATAPUMP access driver: Enables direct access to Data Pump export files from external tables for fast and efficient data reads.
    • DBMS_CLOUD.EXPORT_DATA: OCI-native PL/SQL procedure to export data directly to Object Storage in formats like CSV or Parquet.
  • Data Movement: Download or migrate the generated files to on-premises environments or other cloud storage as needed.

Oracle GoldenGate

Oracle GoldenGate is a high-performance, real-time replication solution for Oracle Databases across different environments.

  • Supports all three OCI DBaaS flavors.
  • Can replicate transactions to:
    • On-premises Oracle Databases.
    • Oracle Databases hosted in other cloud environments.

OCI Database Migration Service (DMS)

Database Migration Service (DMS) is an OCI-native service that leverages Oracle GoldenGate to simplify data movement.

  • Provides a managed pathway to migrate data from OCI DBaaS to on-premises targets or other cloud environments.
  • Handles data replication, synchronization, and migration with minimal manual effort.
  • Ensures data consistency and supports migrations with minimal downtime.

Transportable Databases or Tablespaces

Customers can physically copy datafiles associated with tablespaces and entire databases.

  • Oracle Databases on OCI can be directly copied from OCI Block Volume via scp, rsync, or sftp.
  • Backup pieces and snapshots can be copied/exported out of OCI Block Storage for off-cloud restore.
  • Suitable for very large databases where logical export is not practical.

Transport the Data

Customers can choose from multiple options to transport exported or backed-up data out of OCI, depending on data volume, time constraints, and network availability:

  • Over the Internet
    • Suitable for small- to medium-sized datasets.
    • Data can be securely copied using scp, rsync, sftp, or HTTPS uploads/downloads from Object Storage.
    • Pre-authenticated requests (PARs) allow external tools and scripts to fetch data directly without requiring IAM credentials.
    • Ensure TLS encryption in transit and use compression to optimize transfer performance.
  • Direct Networking (FastConnect / Cloud Interconnect)
    • For high-throughput and low-latency transfers, customers can use private interconnects between OCI and their on-premises environment or between OCI and other cloud providers.
    • Recommended for customers with high-volume, recurring data transfers.
    • Provides a private, dedicated connection between OCI and on-premises or third-party data centers.
    • Enables faster throughput, lower latency, and enhanced security compared to internet-based transfers. Ideal for scenarios where exports or backups need to be routinely synchronized with on-premises or hybrid environments.
  • Data Transfer Appliance (DTA)
    • Designed for very large-scale data movement (multi-TB to PB).
    • Encrypted appliances are physically shipped to the customer, filled with data, and returned to Oracle for direct import/export.
    • Removes dependency on limited network bandwidth.
    • Suitable for initial large migrations, off-cloud archival, or DR seeding operations.

Security and Compliance

  • All exports and backups support encryption:
    • RMAN encrypted backups for secure transport.
    • Data Pump encryption (ENCRYPTION=ALL).
    • Oracle GoldenGate with SSL/TLS for replication streams.
  • Ensure keys and wallet files are transferred securely if TDE is used.

Performance Best Practices

  • For Data Pump:
    • Use the PARALLEL option and multiple dump files for faster throughput.
    • Write directly to OCI Object Storage with pre-authenticated URLs to avoid local storage bottlenecks.
  • For RMAN:
    • Enable backup compression and parallelism.
    • Write to multiple channels for higher throughput.
  • For Oracle GoldenGate:
    • Use parallel replication streams where supported.
    • Deploy Oracle GoldenGate Microservices for scale-out replication.

Service-Specific Notes

Exadata Database Service on Cloud@Customer

  • Data resides physically in the customer’s data center but is managed by Oracle.
  • Exports/Backups can go to customer’s on-premises Object Storage, NFS, or tape, in addition to OCI Object Storage.
  • Oracle GoldenGate can replicate to other on-premises or cloud targets directly.

Exadata Database Service on Dedicated Infrastructure and Exascale Infrastructure

  • Full Exadata Cloud environment in OCI regions.
  • Data Pump, RMAN to OCI Object Storage, and Oracle GoldenGate are the primary exit paths.
  • Customers typically export backup and export files to Object Storage, then download or sync to other providers.

Base Database Service

  • Functions similarly to traditional on-premises databases but is hosted in OCI.
  • Customers have direct SSH access to DB hosts, so they can:
    • Run expdp RMAN backups.
    • Transfer data using scp, rsync, or sftp.
    • Write backups/data files directly to mounted Object Storage.

References and Resources

Export Tools

Backup and Recovery

Replication and Migration