How RMAN Restores Backups in a Replication Environment

To restore a protected database, RMAN typically connects AS CATALOG to the same Recovery Appliance to which it originally sent backups. For example, in Figure 14-2, if RMAN needed to restore orcl11, then RMAN would connect to the catalog on the upstream Recovery Appliance.

If backups exist on any Recovery Appliances in the replication scheme, then the upstream Recovery Appliance can retrieve and restore the backups from the other Recovery Appliances. For example, in Figure 14-2, if RMAN needed to restore orcl11, but the backup had been purged from the upstream Recovery Appliance, then the downstream Recovery Appliance could provide the backups to the upstream Recovery Appliance, which could then restore them.

If necessary, RMAN can also restore a backup directly from a downstream Recovery Appliance. RMAN connects AS CATALOG to the downstream Recovery Appliance, and then restores the backup. For example, in Figure 14-2, if RMAN needed to restore prod3, but the upstream Recovery Appliance was temporarily inaccessible, then RMAN could connect directly to the catalog on the downstream Recovery Appliance, and then restore the backups directly to the protected database host.

Note:

When using either Oracle Enterprise Manager Cloud Control (Cloud Control) or the command line, restoring backups from a downstream Recovery Appliance requires additional configuration. See Zero Data Loss Recovery Appliance Protected Database Configuration Guide.