Purpose of Database Backup and Recovery with VSS

VSS provides a Windows-specific interface that enables coordination between requesters that back up data, writers that update data on disk, and providers that manage storage.

Oracle Database functions as a writer that is integrated with VSS-enabled applications.

You can use VSS-enabled software and storage systems on Windows to back up and restore an Oracle Database. A key benefit is the ability to use a VSS-enabled application to make an online backup of the whole database.