RESTORE

Purpose

Use the RESTORE command to restore, validate, or preview RMAN backups. Typically, you restore backups when a media failure has damaged a current datafile, control file, or archived redo log or before performing a point-in-time recovery.

Prerequisites

To restore datafiles to their current location, the database must be started, mounted, or open with the tablespaces or datafiles to be restored offline.

If you use RMAN in a Data Guard environment, then RMAN should be connected to a recovery catalog.

If you are performing a trial restore of the production database, then perform either of the following actions before restoring the database in the test environment:

If the test database will use a fast recovery area that is physically different from the recovery area used by the production database, then set DB_RECOVERY_FILE_DEST in the test database instance to the new location.
If the test database will use a fast recovery area that is physically the same as the recovery area used by the production database, then set DB_UNIQUE_NAME in the test database instance to a different name from the production database.

If you do not perform either of the preceding actions, then RMAN assumes that you are restoring the production database and deletes flashback logs from the fast recovery area because they are considered unusable.

Usage Notes

The RESTORE command restores full backups, level 0 incremental backups, or image copies. You can restore files to their default location or a different location.

By default, RMAN examines read-only datafiles to make sure they exist, are readable, and have the correct checkpoint. If any of the conditions is not met, then RMAN restores the files. If all of the conditions are met, then RMAN does not restore the files.

Backup Selection

By default, RESTORE chooses the most recent backup set or file copy, that is, the file copy or backup set that needs the least media recovery. RMAN only restores backups created on the same type of channels allocated by the RESTORE command. For example, if you made backups of a datafile with DISK and sbt channels, and if only a DISK channel is allocated for the RESTORE command, then RMAN will not restore the sbt backups. If you do not manually allocate channels, then RMAN allocates all automatic channels that it possibly needs, subject to any restrictions imposed by the DEVICE TYPE option.

In an Oracle RAC configuration, RMAN automatically restores backups, control file copies, and datafile copies from channels that can read the files on tape or a local file system. For example, if channel ch1 connected to inst1 can read log 1000 from its tape drive, but channel ch2 connected to inst2 cannot read the same log from its tape drive, then ch1 cannot participate in restoring the log and so ch2 restores the log. Autolocation is automatically enabled when the channels have different PARMS or CONNECT settings.

If datafile names are symbolic links, then the control file stores the filenames of the link files but RMAN performs I/O on the datafiles pointed to by the link files. If a link file is lost and you restore a datafile without re-creating the symbolic link, then RMAN restores the datafile to the location of the link file rather than to the location pointed to by the link file.

See Also:

"Encryption of Backup Sets" and the extended discussion in Oracle Database Backup and Recovery User's Guide

Location of Restored Datafiles

If you restore datafiles to the default location, then RMAN overwrites files with the same filenames. By default, RMAN will not restore a datafile if the datafile is in the correct place and its header contains the expected data. Note that RMAN does not scan the datafile body for corrupt blocks.

If RMAN detects that the default filename cannot be used (for example, the file may be an Oracle-managed file or on an Automatic Storage Management disk group), then RMAN attempts to create a new file in the same location or disk group.

To restore files to a nondefault location, use SET NEWNAME commands to rename the restored files and then use a SWITCH command to make the restored files current (as illustrated in Example 3-19). If you do not issue SWITCH commands, then RMAN considers the restored files as valid copies for use in future restore operations. Table 3-8 describes the behavior of the RESTORE, SET NEWNAME, and SWITCH commands.

Table 3-8 SET NEWNAME, SWITCH, and RESTORE

SET NEWNAME Run	SWITCH Run	RESTORE Behavior
No	N/A	RMAN restores the files to their current path names.
Yes	Yes	RMAN restores the files to the path names specified by `SET` `NEWNAME`. RMAN replaces the current datafile names in the control file with the names of the restored files. RMAN records the datafiles with the old names as datafile copies.
Yes	No	RMAN restores the files to the path names specified by `SET` `NEWNAME`. RMAN does not update the current datafile names in the control file. The restored files are listed in the RMAN repository as datafile copies.

Because tempfiles cannot be backed up and because no redo is ever generated for them, RMAN never restores or recovers tempfiles. RMAN does track the names of tempfiles, but only so that it can automatically re-create them when needed.

RMAN Behavior When Restoring Control Files

The behavior of RMAN when restoring control files depend on a variety of factors, which are summarized in Table 3-9. Required commands and options for restoring autobackups are summarized in Table 3-10.

Table 3-9 RESTORE CONTROLFILE Scenarios

RMAN Connection	RESTORE CONTROLFILE;	RESTORE CONTROLFILE FROM AUTOBACKUP;	RESTORE CONTROLFILE ... TO 'filename';	RESTORE CONTROLFILE ... FROM 'media_handle' or TAG 'user_tag';
No catalog, target database started in `NOMOUNT` state	Error. Must specify `FROM AUTOBACKUP`.	Restores to `CONTROL_FILES` locations. See Table 3-10 for required commands and options.	Must specify `FROM AUTOBACKUP`. Restores only to `filename`.	First run `SET` `DBID`. Restores from specified file (cannot restore from `TAG`). If `TO` '`filename`' not used, restores to all `CONTROL_FILES` locations.
No catalog, target database mounted or open	Error. Must use `TO` '`filename`', where `filename` is not in `CONTROL_FILES` list.	Error. Must use `TO` '`filename`', where `filename` is not in `CONTROL_FILES` list.	Restores only to `filename`, where `filename` is not in `CONTROL_FILES` list.	RMAN issues error `RMAN-06496`. Use `TO` '`filename`' instead.
Catalog, target database started in `NOMOUNT` state	Restores to `CONTROL_FILES` locations. Run `SET` `DBID` only if `DB_NAME` not unique in catalog.	Only use with recovery catalog for testing.	Restores only to `filename`, where `filename` is not in `CONTROL_FILES` list.	Restores from specified file. If `TO` '`filename`' not used, restores to all `CONTROL_FILES` locations.
Catalog, target database mounted or open	Error. Must use `TO` '`filename`', where `filename` is not in `CONTROL_FILES` list.	Do not use with recovery catalog.	Restores only to `filename`, where `filename` is not in `CONTROL_FILES` list.	RMAN issues error `RMAN-06496`. Use `TO` '`filename`' instead.

If you use RMAN in a Data Guard environment, then RMAN transparently converts primary control files to standby control files and vice versa. RMAN automatically updates filenames for datafiles, online redo logs, standby redo logs, and temp files when you issue RESTORE and RECOVER. The recovery catalog always contains the correct information about the backup filenames for each database, as explained in "RMAN Backups in a Data Guard Environment".

Control File and Server Parameter File Autobackup Options

When restoring an autobackup, the commands and options that you use depend on the autobackup type (control file or server parameter file) and location (inside or outside fast recovery area). The options are summarized in Table 3-10.

Table 3-10 RESTORE ... FROM AUTOBACKUP

Restore Object	Autobackup Location	Run SET DBID?	Specify RECOVERY AREA on RESTORE?	Specify DB_NAME or DB_UNIQUE_NAME on RESTORE?	Run SET CONTROLFILE AUTOBACKUP FORMAT?
SPFILE	Recovery area	No	Yes	Yes	No
SPFILE	Outside recovery area	Yes	No	No	Only if autobackup is not in default location
Control file	Recovery area	No	Only if autobackup is in noncurrent recovery area	Only if autobackup is in noncurrent recovery area and uses a noncurrent `DB_UNIQUE_NAME`	No
Control file	Outside recovery area	Yes	No	No	Only if autobackup is not in default location

Syntax

restore::=

Description of the illustration restore.gif

(restoreObject::=, restoreSpecOperand::=, deviceSpecifier::=, untilClause::=)

restoreObject::=

Description of the illustration restoreobject.gif

(archivelogRecordSpecifier::=, datafileSpec::=)

restoreSpecOperand::=

Description of the illustration restorespecoperand.gif

autoBackupOptList::=

Description of the illustration autobackupoptlist.gif

Semantics

restore

This clause enables you to select which files you want to restore and specify parameters that control the behavior of the restore operation.

Syntax Element	Description
`restoreObject`	Specifies the files to be restored.
`restoreSpecOperand`	Specifies options for the `restoreObject` clause.
`CHANNEL` `channel_id`	Refer to the `restoreSpecOperand` clause.
`CHECK LOGICAL`	Tests data and index blocks that pass physical corruption checks for logical corruption, for example, corruption of a row piece or index entry. If RMAN finds logical corruption, then it logs the block in the alert log and server session trace file. If the total number of physical and logical corruptions detected in a file is less than its `SET` `MAXCORRUPT` setting, then the RMAN command completes and the database populates the `V$DATABASE_BLOCK_CORRUPTION` view with corrupt block ranges. If `MAXCORRUPT` is exceeded, then the command terminates without populating the views. When restoring a backup datafile, RMAN honors the `DB_BLOCK_CHECKSUM` initialization parameter setting. RMAN clears the checksum if `DB_BLOCK_CHECKSUM` is set to `false`. If set to `typical`, then RMAN verifies the checksum when restoring from the backup and writing to the datafile. If the initialization parameter `DB_BLOCK_CHECKSUM=typical`, and if `MAXCORRUPT` is not set, then specifying `CHECK LOGICAL` detects all types of corruption that are possible to detect. Note: The `MAXCORRUPT` setting represents the total number of physical and logical corruptions permitted on a file.
`DEVICE TYPE` `deviceSpecifier`	Allocates automatic channels for the specified device type only. For example, if you configure automatic disk and tape channels, and issue `RESTORE ... DEVICE TYPE DISK`, then RMAN allocates only disk channels. You must have already configured a device type by using `CONFIGURE` (except for `DISK`, which is preconfigured) before specifying the `DEVICE TYPE` option. Note: You cannot manually allocate channels within a `RUN` block and then run `RESTORE` with the `DEVICE TYPE` clause. See Also: `deviceSpecifier`
`FORCE`	Overrides the restartable restore feature and restores all files regardless of whether they need to be restored. If you do not specify `FORCE`, then RMAN restores a file only if its header information does not match the information in the control file.
`FROM BACKUPSET`	Specifies that RMAN should restore from backup sets only. By default `RESTORE` chooses the file copy or backup set that needs the least media recovery. If you use the `FROM BACKUPSET` option, then channels for the appropriate type of storage devices must be allocated for the backup sets that need to be restored. For example, if needed backups are only available on tape, and no `sbt` channels have been allocated, then RMAN cannot find a candidate backup set to restore, and the `RESTORE` command fails.
`FROM DATAFILECOPY`	Specifies that RMAN should restore datafile copies only. By default `RESTORE` chooses the file copy or backup set that needs the least media recovery. If you use the `FROM DATAFILECOPY` option, then the allocated channels must be of `DEVICE TYPE DISK`.
`FROM TAG` `tag_name`	Refer to the `restoreSpecOperand` clause.
`PREVIEW`	Reports—but does not restore—the backups and archived redo log files that RMAN could use to restore and recover the database to the specified time. RMAN queries the metadata and does not actually read the backup files. The `RESTORE ... PREVIEW` output is in the same format as the `LIST` `BACKUP` output (see Example 3-24). Some media managers provide status information to RMAN about which backups are offsite. Offsite backups are stored in a remote location, such as a secure storage facility, and cannot be used without retrieving media. Offsite backups are marked as `AVAILABLE` in the RMAN repository even though the media must be retrieved from storage before the backup can be restored. If RMAN attempts to restore a offsite backup, then the restore operation fails. `RESTORE ... PREVIEW` can identify backups needed for a `RESTORE` operation that are stored on media that requires retrieval. The output indicates whether backups are stored offsite. If a needed backup is stored offsite, but the media manager does not support offsite backups, then your options are: Use `CHANGE` `... UNAVAILABLE` to prevent RMAN from selecting the needed offsite backups, and attempt the `RESTORE ... PREVIEW` operation again to determine whether RMAN selects another offsite backup. When RMAN does not select any offsite backups, you can perform the restore operation. Use `RESTORE ... PREVIEW` with the `RECALL` option. See Also: `LIST`, specifically the `BACKUPS` and `SUMMARY` options, and the `RECOVER` `... VALIDATE HEADER` command
`RECALL`	Instructs the media manager to retrieve the backup media needed for the specified restore operation from offsite storage (see Example 3-25). Note: This option only works if your media manager supports this functionality. You can use `RESTORE ... PREVIEW` periodically to monitor whether the needed backups are stored locally again.
`SUMMARY`	Summarizes the backups that RMAN would restore. The output is in the same format as the output of the `LIST BACKUPS ... SUMMARY` command.
`SKIP READONLY`	Does not restore read-only files.
`TO RESTORE POINT` `restore_point_name`	Specifies a restore point, with the SCN at which the restore point was created as the upper, inclusive limit. Because the limit is inclusive, RMAN selects only files that can be used to restore files up to and including the SCN corresponding to the restore point.
`untilClause`	Limits the selection to backup sets or file copies that are suitable for a point-in-time recovery to the specified time, SCN, or log sequence number. In the absence of any other criteria, RMAN selects the most current file copy or backup set to restore. Note that the time specified in the `UNTIL` clause must fall within the current database incarnation. See Also: `untilClause`
`VALIDATE`	Specifies that RMAN should decide which backup sets, datafile copies, and archived redo log files need to be restored, and then validate them (see Example 3-26). No files are restored. For files on both disk and tape, RMAN reads all blocks in the backup piece or image copy. RMAN also validates offsite backups. The validation is identical to a real restore operation except that RMAN does not write output files. Note: If you use `RESTORE` with the `VALIDATE` option, then the database can be open with datafiles online. See Also: `VALIDATE`
`HEADER`	Reports and validates—but does not restore—the backups that RMAN could use to restore to the specified time. When you specify this option, RMAN performs the same functions as when you run `RESTORE` with the `PREVIEW` option. However, in addition to listing the files needed for restore and recovery, RMAN validates the backup file headers to determine whether the files on disk or in the media management catalog correspond to the metadata in the RMAN repository. See Also: The descriptions of the `RESTORE` `PREVIEW` option and the `RECOVER` `... VALIDATE HEADER` option

restoreObject

This subclause specifies the objects to be restored: control files, datafiles, archived redo log files, or the server parameter file. Note that RMAN does not support backup and recovery of the change tracking file. RMAN re-creates the change tracking file after database restore and recovery; the next incremental backup after any recovery is able to use the file. Thus, restore and recovery has no user-visible effect on change tracking.

Syntax Element	Description
`archivelogRecordSpecifier`	Restores the specified range of archived redo log files. The default restore location is `DB_RECOVERY_FILE_DEST` (if one of `LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST_n` is configured to `USE_DB_RECOVERY_FILE_DEST` either implicitly or explicitly). Otherwise, the default restore filenames are constructed with the `LOG_ARCHIVE_FORMAT` and `LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST_1` initialization parameters of the target database. These parameters combine in a port-specific fashion to derive the name of the restored log. You can override the default location with the `SET` `ARCHIVELOG DESTINATION` command. Because the `RECOVER` command automatically restores archived redo log files as needed, you should seldom need to restore logs manually. Possible reasons for manually restoring archived redo log files are to speed up recovery, to stage the logs to multiple destinations, or to analyze the log contents after a point-in-time recovery. To restore logs from a previous incarnation without shutting down the database, you can use `RESTORE ARCHIVELOG` with: ... `FROM SCN` ..`.SCN BETWEEN... AND` `FROM SCN ... INCARNATION <integer>` `FROM SCN... INCARNATION ALL` Note: The database can be started, mounted, or open for this operation. See Also: `archivelogRecordSpecifier`.
`CONTROLFILE`	Restores either a standby or backup control file depending on the target database role. If the control file is lost, then restore the control file (see Table 3-9) and restore the database after mounting the restored control file. You must always run the `RECOVER` command after mounting a restored control file and you must open the database with the `RESETLOGS` option. Note: If the target database is not mounted, and if RMAN is not connected to a recovery catalog, then you must specify the `FROM AUTOBACKUP` clause with `RESTORE CONTROLFILE`. If the autobackup is in a nondefault format, then first use the `SET CONTROLFILE AUTOBACKUP FORMAT` command to specify the format. If the target database is mounted or open, then you must specify the `TO` `filename` clause with `RESTORE CONTROLFILE`. When you run `RESTORE` with a backup control file while connected to a recovery catalog (see Example 3-20), RMAN automatically updates the control file to reflect the structure of the restored database based on the metadata in the catalog.
`TO` `'filename'`	Restores the control file to the specified filename. Table 3-9 explains RMAN behavior when restoring the control file with the `TO` clause.
`DATABASE`	Restores all datafiles in the database except those that are offline. By default, RMAN restores datafiles in read-only tablespaces. Unlike `BACKUP` `DATABASE`, `RESTORE DATABASE` does not automatically include the control file and the server parameter file—you must issue additional `RESTORE CONTROLFILE` and `RESTORE SPFILE` commands to restore these files. Note: To restore offline datafiles you must use `RESTORE DATAFILE` or `RESTORE TABLESPACE`.
`SKIP [FOREVER]` `TABLESPACE` `tablespace_name`	Excludes the specifies tablespaces from the restore operation. This option is useful to avoid restoring tablespaces containing temporary data. Specifying the `FOREVER` keyword does not change the behavior of `SKIP`. The `FOREVER` keyword exists solely to maintain compatible syntax between `RESTORE SKIP FOREVER` and `RECOVER SKIP FOREVER`.
`DATAFILE` `datafileSpec`	Restores the datafiles specified by filename or absolute datafile number (see Example 3-19). Note: Do not specify a datafile more than once in a restore job. For example, the following command is invalid because datafile 1 is both specified explicitly and implied by the `SYSTEM` tablespace: RESTORE TABLESPACE SYSTEM DATAFILE 1; See Also: `datafileSpec`
`PRIMARY CONTROLFILE`	Restores a control file for a primary database in a Data Guard environment. RMAN restores either a normal or standby control file as appropriate, depending on the most recent database role known to the recovery catalog (`RC_SITE.DATABASE_ROLE`) for the target database. The purpose of this option to override the default setting in cases where the most recent database role is out-of-date. Assume that you perform a switchover from primary database `dgny` to standby database `dgsf`, so that `dgsf` is the new primary database. You want to restore a control file on `dgsf`, but the recovery catalog was not resynchronized and still shows `dgsf` as a standby database. In this case, you can specify `PRIMARY CONTROLFILE` to override the default RMAN behavior and restore a normal control file.
`SPFILE`	Restores a primary or standby server parameter file to the location from which it was backed up. RMAN cannot overwrite a server parameter file currently in use by the target database. By default RMAN restores the most current server parameter file. Specify the `UNTIL` or `TAG` options to restore older versions of the server parameter file. If the server parameter file is lost, then connect RMAN to the target database (and recovery catalog if used) and run `SET` `DBID`. Run `STARTUP` `FORCE NOMOUNT` before running `RESTORE SPFILE`. Then run `STARTUP FORCE` to restart the database instance with the restored server parameter file. Note: If the target database is not mounted, and if RMAN is not connected to a recovery catalog, then you must specify the `FROM AUTOBACKUP` clause with `RESTORE SPFILE`. If the autobackup is in a nondefault format, then first use the `SET CONTROLFILE AUTOBACKUP FORMAT` command to specify the format. If the target database is started, mounted, or open, and if the database was started with a server parameter file, then you must specify the `TO` `filename` clause with `RESTORE SPFILE`.
`TO [PFILE]` `'filename'`	Restores a primary or standby server parameter file to the location specified by the `TO` clause. Specify `PFILE` to save the server parameter file as a text-based initialization parameter file.
`FOR DB_UNIQUE_NAME` `db_unique_name`	Specifies the `DB_UNIQUE_NAME` for the target database when the instance is not started. This parameter is only useful in a Data Guard environment. When `FOR DB_UNIQUE_NAME` is specified, RMAN can locate the correct RMAN configurations for the host on which the `SPFILE` is being restored and use them to access backup devices. Otherwise, RMAN cannot choose the correct channel configurations and returns an `RMAN-6758` error. In a Data Guard environment, the primary and standby hosts may have different channel configurations for communicating with their associated SBT backup and disk devices. If both the primary and standby databases are known to the recovery catalog, then the configuration settings for both databases are recorded in the recovery catalog. Because the two databases have the same `DB_NAME`, the records in the recovery catalog can only be distinguished with the `DB_UNIQUE_NAME` initialization parameter. Note: Using `RESTORE SPFILE` when the `DB_NAME` is not unique in the recovery catalog produces an `RMAN-6758` error. See Also: Oracle Data Guard Concepts and Administration for a detailed procedure for restoring the server parameter file in a Data Guard environment
`TO` `'filename'`	Restores the standby control file to the specified filename. Table 3-9 explains the RMAN behavior when restoring the control file with the `TO` clause.
`STANDBY CONTROLFILE`	Restores a control file for a standby database. RMAN can transparently restore a normal control file backup and make it usable for a standby database. RMAN restores either a normal or standby control file as appropriate, depending on the most recent database role known to the recovery catalog (`RC_SITE.DATABASE_ROLE`) for the target database. The purpose of this option to override the default setting in cases where the most recent database role is out-of-date. Assume that you perform a switchover from primary database `dgny` to standby database `dgsf`, so that `dgsf` is the new primary database. Later, you make `dgny` a standby database for `dgsf`. You want to restore a control file on `dgny`, but the recovery catalog was not resynchronized and still shows `dgny` as a primary database. In this case, you can specify `STANDBY CONTROLFILE` to override the default RMAN behavior and restore a standby control file. If you restore the control file of a database whose `DB_UNIQUE_NAME` is known to the recovery catalog, then RMAN updates all filenames in the control file to filenames known to the recovery catalog. Any filenames explicitly renamed with `ALTER DATABASE RENAME FILE` take precedence over the filenames in the recovery catalog. See Also: Table 3-9 for restrictions and usage notes Note: You must always run the `RECOVER` command after mounting a restored control file, and must also always open the database with the `RESETLOGS` option.
`TABLESPACE` `tablespace_name`	Restores all datafiles in the specified tablespaces (see Example 3-18). RMAN translates the tablespace name internally into a list of datafiles. If you rename a tablespace (for example, from `users` to `customers`), then so long as an additional tablespace with the old name (`users`) has not been created, you can use either the old name (`users`) or the new name (`customers`) for the tablespace. RMAN detects that the tablespace has changed its name and updates the recovery catalog on the next resynchronization. Note: RMAN can back up and restore dictionary-managed temporary tablespaces, but it cannot back up locally managed temporary tablespaces. However, RMAN automatically re-creates locally managed temporary tablespaces after restoring the database.

restoreSpecOperand

This subclause specifies options for the restoreObject clause. These parameters override the parameters with the same name at the RESTORE command level.

Syntax Element	Description
`CHANNEL` `channel_id`	Specifies the case-sensitive name of a channel to use for this restore operation. If you do not specify a channel, then `RESTORE` uses any available channel allocated with the correct device type.
`FROM AUTOBACKUP`	Restores a control file autobackup (see Example 3-21). This option is only valid on the `RESTORE CONTROLFILE` and `RESTORE SPFILE` commands. When restoring either type of file in `NOCATALOG` mode, the `FROM AUTOBACKUP` clause is required. RMAN begins the search on the current day or on the day specified with the `SET` `UNTIL`. On the first day searched, the search begins with sequence number 256 (or the sequence number specified by `MAXSEQ`, if provided) and counts back to sequence 0. If no autobackup is found in the current or `SET UNTIL` day, then RMAN checks preceding days, starting with sequence 256 and counting back to 0. The search continues up to `MAXDAYS` days (default of 7, maximum of 366) prior to the current or `SET UNTIL` day. If no autobackup is found within `MAXDAYS` days, then RMAN signals an error and the command stops. See Also: Table 3-9 for restrictions and usage notes.
`autoBackupOptList`	Specifies parameters that control the search for a control file autobackup.
`'media_handle'`	Specifies the name of the control file copy or backup piece containing a control file. The `media_handle` can be any backup piece that contains a backup of a control file: the control file backup does not need to be an autobackup. See Also: Table 3-9 for restrictions and usage notes.
`FROM TAG` `tag_name`	Overrides the default selection of the most recent backups or file copy available. The tag restricts the automatic selection to backup sets or file copies created with the specified tag. If multiple backup sets or copies have a matching tag, then RMAN selects the most recent one. Tag names are not case sensitive. See Also: `BACKUP` for a description of how a tag can be applied to an individual copy of a duplexed backup set, and for a description of the default filename format for tags.

autoBackupOptList

This subclause specifies parameters that control the search for a control file autobackup.

Syntax Element	Description
`DB_NAME` `database_name`	Provides a `DB_NAME` to be used in searching for control file autobackups. See Table 3-10 to determine when to set this parameter. The default value of the `DB_UNIQUE_NAME` initialization parameter is the `DB_NAME` initialization parameter setting. If no `DB_UNIQUE_NAME` initialization parameter is set for a target database, then use either `RESTORE ... DB_NAME` or `RESTORE ... DB_UNIQUE_NAME`. If the `DB_UNIQUE_NAME` initialization parameter setting for a target database is different from `DB_NAME`, then use `RESTORE ... DB_UNIQUE_NAME`.
`MAXDAYS` `integer`	Limits the search for a control file autobackup to within the specified number of days in the past.
`MAXSEQ` `integer`	Specifies the highest sequence number for the control file autobackup search.
`RECOVERY AREA` `'pathname'`	Specifies a path to the fast recovery area to search for autobackups. `RECOVERY AREA` and `DB_RECOVERY_FILE_DEST` are synonyms. See Table 3-10 to determine when to set this parameter.
`DB_RECOVERY_FILE_DEST` `'pathname'`	`RECOVERY AREA` and `DB_RECOVERY_FILE_DEST` are synonyms.
`DB_NAME` `database_name`	Provides a `DB_NAME` to be used in searching for control file autobackups. See Table 3-10 to determine when to set this parameter. The default value of the `DB_UNIQUE_NAME` initialization parameter is the `DB_NAME` initialization parameter setting. If no `DB_UNIQUE_NAME` initialization parameter is set for a target database, then use either `RESTORE ... DB_NAME` or `RESTORE ... DB_UNIQUE_NAME`. If the `DB_UNIQUE_NAME` initialization parameter setting for a target database is different from `DB_NAME`, then use `RESTORE ... DB_UNIQUE_NAME`.
`DB_UNIQUE_NAME` `db_unique_name`	Specifies the `DB_UNIQUE_NAME` of the database in the specified fast recovery area that is the target of the restore operation. The default value of the `DB_UNIQUE_NAME` initialization parameter is the `DB_NAME` initialization parameter setting. If no `DB_UNIQUE_NAME` initialization parameter is set for a target database, then use either `RESTORE ... DB_NAME` or `RESTORE ... DB_UNIQUE_NAME`. If the `DB_UNIQUE_NAME` initialization parameter setting for a target database is different from `DB_NAME`, then use `RESTORE ... DB_UNIQUE_NAME`.

Examples

Example 3-18 Restoring a Tablespace

This example takes a tablespace offline, restores it, then performs media recovery.

SQL "ALTER TABLESPACE users OFFLINE IMMEDIATE"; 
RESTORE TABLESPACE users; 
RECOVER TABLESPACE users;  
SQL "ALTER TABLESPACE users ONLINE";

Example 3-19 Setting a New Name for a Restored Datafile

Assume that /disk1, which contains datafile 9, suffers a media failure. This example specifies a new name for the datafile, restores it, updates the control file to use the new name, recovers it, and then brings it online:

RUN
{
  SQL "ALTER DATABASE DATAFILE 9 OFFLINE";
  SET NEWNAME FOR DATAFILE 9 TO '/disk2/users01.dbf';
  RESTORE DATAFILE 9;
  SWITCH DATAFILE ALL;
  RECOVER DATAFILE 9;
  SQL "ALTER DATABASE DATAFILE 9 ONLINE";
}

Example 3-20 Restoring the Control File When Using a Recovery Catalog

Assume that you want to restore the control file backup with the tag monday_cf_backup. You start the RMAN client, connect to the target and recovery catalog databases, and run the following commands:

RUN
{ # SET DBID is not necessary when RMAN is connected to a recovery catalog
  STARTUP FORCE NOMOUNT;
  RESTORE CONTROLFILE FROM TAG 'monday_cf_backup';
  ALTER DATABASE MOUNT;
  RESTORE DATABASE;
  RECOVER DATABASE;
}
ALTER DATABASE OPEN RESETLOGS; # required after recovery with backup control file

RMAN restores the control file to its default location and replicates it automatically to all CONTROL_FILES locations. RMAN mounts the control file and restores and recovers the database. RMAN automatically updates the control file to reflect the structure of the restored database based on the metadata in the recovery catalog.

Example 3-21 Recovering the Database with a Control File Autobackup

Assume that the control file and some datafiles are lost and need to be restored from tape. Because RMAN does not use a recovery catalog in this scenario, the SET DBID command is necessary to identify the control file to be restored. The example restores the control file from tape, mounts the database, and then restores and recovers the database.

CONNECT TARGET /
STARTUP FORCE NOMOUNT;
SET DBID 36508508;  # required when restoring control file in NOCATALOG mode
RUN
{
  ALLOCATE CHANNEL c1 DEVICE TYPE sbt;
  RESTORE CONTROLFILE FROM AUTOBACKUP;
  ALTER DATABASE MOUNT;
  RESTORE DATABASE;
  RECOVER DATABASE;
}
ALTER DATABASE OPEN RESETLOGS;

Example 3-22 Restoring a Control File Autobackup to a Nondefault Location

This example is a variation on Example 3-21. In this scenario, the control file autobackup is located on disk in a nondefault location. RMAN starts searching for backups with a sequence number of 20, and searches backward for 5 months:

CONNECT TARGET /
STARTUP FORCE NOMOUNT
SET DBID 36508508;  # required when restoring control file in NOCATALOG mode
RUN
{
  SET CONTROLFILE AUTOBACKUP FORMAT FOR DEVICE TYPE DISK 
    TO '/disk1/prod_cf_auto_%F';
  RESTORE CONTROLFILE TO '/tmp/cf_auto.dbf' FROM AUTOBACKUP 
    MAXSEQ 20 MAXDAYS 150;
  ALTER DATABASE MOUNT;
  RESTORE DATABASE;
  RECOVER DATABASE;
}
ALTER DATABASE OPEN RESETLOGS;

Example 3-23 Restoring a Server Parameter File Autobackup to the Current Location

The following series of commands restores the current server parameter file in NOCATALOG mode and then starts the instance with the restored server parameter file.

CONNECT TARGET /
SET DBID 1620189241; # set dbid to dbid of target database
STARTUP FORCE NOMOUNT; # start instance with dummy SPFILE
RUN
{
  ALLOCATE CHANNEL c1 DEVICE TYPE sbt;
  RESTORE SPFILE FROM AUTOBACKUP; # FROM AUTOBACKUP needed in NOCATALOG mode
  STARTUP FORCE; # startup with restored SPFILE
}

Example 3-24 Previewing Backups

This example shows the results of a RESTORE ... PREVIEW command, which identifies the backup sets RMAN selects for use in restoring archived redo log files.

RMAN> RESTORE ARCHIVELOG ALL DEVICE TYPE sbt PREVIEW;
 
Starting restore at 01-MAR-07
released channel: ORA_SBT_TAPE_1
allocated channel: ORA_SBT_TAPE_1
channel ORA_SBT_TAPE_1: SID=85 device type=SBT_TAPE
channel ORA_SBT_TAPE_1: Oracle Secure Backup
 
List of Backup Sets
===================
 
BS Key  Size       Device Type Elapsed Time Completion Time
------- ---------- ----------- ------------ ---------------
53      1.25M      SBT_TAPE    00:00:18     01-MAR-07
        BP Key: 53   Status: AVAILABLE  Compressed: NO  Tag: TAG20070301T150155
        Handle: 2aibhej3_1_1   Media: RMAN-DEFAULT-000001
 
  List of Archived Logs in backup set 53
  Thrd Seq     Low SCN    Low Time  Next SCN   Next Time
  ---- ------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------
  1    8       526376     01-MAR-07 527059     01-MAR-07
  1    9       527059     01-MAR-07 527074     01-MAR-07
  1    10      527074     01-MAR-07 527091     01-MAR-07
  1    11      527091     01-MAR-07 527568     01-MAR-07
  1    12      527568     01-MAR-07 527598     01-MAR-07
validation succeeded for backup piece
Finished restore at 01-MAR-07

Example 3-25 Recalling Offsite Backups from Offsite Storage

When used with a media manager that reports information about offsite storage of backups and supports recalling offsite backups, RESTORE ... PREVIEW RECALL requests that any media needed to restore archived redo log files from backup be recalled from offsite storage.

RMAN> RESTORE ARCHIVELOG ALL PREVIEW RECALL;

Starting restore at 10-JUN-06
using channel ORA_DISK_1
using channel ORA_SBT_TAPE_1
 
 
List of Backup Sets
===================
 
BS Key  Size       Device Type Elapsed Time Completion Time
------- ---------- ----------- ------------ ---------------
31      12.75M     SBT_TAPE    00:00:02     10-JUN-06     
        BP Key: 33   Status: AVAILABLE  Compressed: NO  Tag: TAG20050610T152755
        Handle: 15gmknbs   Media: /v1,15gmknbs
 
  List of Archived Logs in backup set 31
  Thrd Seq     Low SCN    Low Time  Next SCN   Next Time
  ---- ------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------
  1    1       221154     06-JUN-06 222548     06-JUN-06
  1    2       222548     06-JUN-06 222554     06-JUN-06
  1    3       222554     06-JUN-06 222591     06-JUN-06
  1    4       222591     06-JUN-06 246629     07-JUN-06
  1    5       246629     07-JUN-06 262451     10-JUN-06
 
BS Key  Size       Device Type Elapsed Time Completion Time
------- ---------- ----------- ------------ ---------------
32      256.00K    SBT_TAPE    00:00:01     10-JUN-06     
        BP Key: 34   Status: AVAILABLE  Compressed: NO  Tag: TAG20050610T153105
        Handle: 17gmknhp_1_1   Media: /v1,17gmknhp_1_1
 
  List of Archived Logs in backup set 32
  Thrd Seq     Low SCN    Low Time  Next SCN   Next Time
  ---- ------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------
  1    6       262451     10-JUN-06 262547     10-JUN-06
  1    7       262547     10-JUN-06 262565     10-JUN-06
 
Initiated recall for the following list of offsite backup files
==========================================================
        Handle: 15gmknbs   Media: /v1,15gmknbs
Finished restore at 10-JUN-06

Example 3-26 Validating the Restore of a Backup

The following example illustrates using RESTORE... VALIDATE to confirm that backups required to restore the database are present on disk or tape, readable, and not corrupted:

RMAN> RESTORE DATABASE VALIDATE;
 
Starting restore at 01-MAR-07
using channel ORA_DISK_1
allocated channel: ORA_SBT_TAPE_1
channel ORA_SBT_TAPE_1: SID=85 device type=SBT_TAPE
channel ORA_SBT_TAPE_1: Oracle Secure Backup
 
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting validation of datafile backup set
channel ORA_DISK_1: reading from backup piece /disk2/PROD/backupset/2007_03_01/o1_mf_nnndf_TAG20070301T161038_2ygtvzg0_.bkp
channel ORA_DISK_1: piece handle=/disk2/PROD/backupset/2007_03_01/o1_mf_nnndf_TAG20070301T161038_2ygtvzg0_.bkp tag=TAG20070301T161038
channel ORA_DISK_1: restored backup piece 1
channel ORA_DISK_1: validation complete, elapsed time: 00:00:16
Finished restore at 01-MAR-07