does rsync can be used for oracle database ?

[Maaz]

does rsync can be used to replicate Oracle database ?

Regards
Maaz

[SJO EGGER]

yes and no.

if you shutdown the database and copy it with rsync to another host with the same directories - YES.
if you do ist online or have other directories - NO.

of course it also will work online but you have to do some other steps.

[Ivan Ferreira]

Once I heard is possible to use rsync to copy only changed blocks on a file, but never was demostrated. Probably is better if you use RMAN.

[smatador · Accepted solution]

Hi,
I agree with Yvan and SJO, better use RMAN.
Normally you could use rsync if you stop the database.
In Oracle application disaster recovery guide, oracle write about rsync, look
http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/E10291_01/core.1013/e12297/app_rsync.htm

[Huc_1]

In the case of oracle and databases the best to stick with the tools that are native.. in this case RMAN, unless it is possible for you to stop database's' some times and the time between two backup run is not meaning full as far as amount of changes in your database's.

Evaluate your granularity needs as far backup is concern ... what amount of information lost is acceptable.

If granularity permits and you can stop databases then yes rsyng could be use, care has to be taken to backup every components, because the hard part is not backup ... but restore, best is to test that if it is posible.

enjoy life.

Jean-Pierre Huc

[Maaz]

thanks forums ;)

[dirk dierickx]

ivan, that is the way rsync works. it only copies the changed blocks of files.

from the rsync website:
"...rsync uses the "rsync algorithm" which provides a very fast method for bringing remote files into sync. It does this by sending just the differences in the files..."