Backing Up Oracle Database for Upgrading

Use this procedure to back up your existing Oracle Database before you attempt an upgrade.

Caution:

Before you make any changes to the Oracle software, Oracle recommends that you create a backup of the Oracle software and databases. For Oracle software running on Windows operating systems, you must also take a backup of the Windows registry. Without a registry backup, you cannot restore the Oracle software to a working state if the upgrade,fails, and you want to revert to the previous software installation.

If you choose to use the manual Pre-Upgrade Information Tool, then run it before you cleanly shut down the database. To minimize downtime, you can perform an online backup or create a guaranteed restore point. Database Upgrade Assistant (DBUA) enables you to specify your backup and restore point.

Sign on to Oracle RMAN:
```
rman "target / nocatalog"
```

Run the following RMAN commands:

RUN
{
    ALLOCATE CHANNEL chan_name TYPE DISK;
    BACKUP DATABASE FORMAT 'some_backup_directory%U' TAG before_upgrade;
    BACKUP CURRENT CONTROLFILE FORMAT 'controlfile location and name';
}