Understanding what needs to be backed up

Before describing how to back up your environment, it is important to understand what needs to be backed up first. We differentiate between static files, files which do not change frequently such as the software installation binaries, and dynamic data, otherwise referred to as runtime artifacts, which could include frequently updated data such as instance information and deployment metadata.

Static files

Static files and directories are those that do not change frequently. These files should be regularly backed up, particularly when configuration changes, patching, or installations have been performed since the last backup. In most cases, static files can be backed up both online and offline.

Oracle system files

System files include the oraInst.loc and beahomelist files. These files point to the location of the Oracle Inventory and the Middleware Home respectively. Thus, future patching or installations of other Oracle products can easily recognize where...