Introducing RMAN backup formats

RMAN maintains its backups in the formats specific to it. As a result, backups taken by RMAN are usable only through it. There are two formats of backup supported in RMAN, namely:

• Backup set

• Image copy

RMAN can secure backups in the previously mentioned formats in both the consistent mode (aka COLD mode), that is, when the database is closed, as well as in the inconsistent mode (aka HOT mode), that is, when the database is in the OPEN stage.

Let's delve deeper to gain a proper understanding of the previous mentioned formats.

Backup sets

A backup set bears close resemblance to the OS directories which are used to store multiple files or the tablespaces within the database which contain one or multiple data files within them. Like an OS directory or database tablespace, a backup set is also a logical structure only. A logical backup set contains within it a physical RMAN-specific file which is considered as the real backup of its source file, that is, a data file...