Reducing Risks through Flexible and Automatic Oracle Data Protection

Transcription

1 w h i t e p a p e r Reducing Risks through Flexible and Automatic Oracle Data Protection simple, user-managed backups don t sufficiently cover all the aspects needed for multiple recovery scenarios or for complete business continuity DBAs Increase Business Value by Embracing Best-of-Class Backup and Recovery Tools Today s database administrators face a myriad of challenges, including the ever-increasing need to lower data protection costs and complex procedures while also ensuring the highest levels of protection for all mission-critical applications. As more and more enterprises rely on relational databases to run crucial systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM), the importance of safeguarding vital databases has increased in orders of magnitude.

2 With each new release of its world-class database, Oracle continually takes the world s leading relational database to the next level with a host of new capabilities for controlling enterprise information. According to a recent survey of members attending the annual Independent Oracle Users Group meeting, 35 percent of those polled will upgrade to the most recently announced 11g database within the next year. More conservative industry obs expect the majority of Oracle customers will be upgrading in large numbers toward the end of A multitude of factors will drive this migration, including regulatory compliance mandates, demands for greater business intelligence and comprehensive business continuity as well as the continuing quest to lower both total cost of ownership and administrative overhead. However, each new release also forces database administrators to take on more and more responsibilities as they contend with increasing complexity, multiple levels of integration, intensified data importance and toughening regulations. In order to streamline database deployments, DBAs must gain a well-versed understanding of the intricacies in underlying data infrastructures so they can install, configure, test, maintain and repair these crucial systems. In many mid-sized enterprises, DBAs also bear the burden of managing multiple database platforms as they must apply their expertise across several and different databases. While being pressured to do more with less amid tightening budget and time constraints, DBAs increasingly are obligated to ensure the integrity of all information residing in critical databases. The daunting dilemma for increasing numbers of DBAs is clearing the hurdles to achieving comprehensive data protection. The DBA s Dilemma Backup and recovery is an integral yet sometimes overlooked part of high-availability, Oracle solutions. Time-constrained DBAs often mistakenly believe that clustering and replication are sufficient measures for safeguarding their vital databases. While clustering does protect against individual outages and replication shields companies from the risks associated with site disasters, only an expertly implemented backup and recovery plan with broader capabilities can protect against the potential perils of data corruption and media failures. The daunting dilemma for increasing numbers of DBAs is clearing the hurdles to achieving comprehensive data protection. Navigating the ins and outs of Oracle s Recover Manager (RMAN) can be extremely complicated and tedious, whether backups are performed manually or automated with scripts. In both cases, advanced Oracle database expertise is required. For that reason, it s common for DBAs to opt for relying on simple, user-managed backups. While this approach can be effective for handling basic backup requirements, it doesn t sufficiently cover all the aspects needed for multiple recovery scenarios or for complete business continuity. When it comes to recovery operations, both user-managed and RMAN restores can be tedious and time consuming. With user-managed restores, manual commands must be composed and issued using the correct syntax in the right order. Unless this process has been practiced on a test system for multiple scenarios, the odds of performing a complete restore the first time are low. The risks of human errors or using incorrect syntax with RMAN recoveries are equally high. With both recovery approaches, DBAs take a chance at entering a wrong command or incorrect syntax, which will require them to start the entire process over again. Unfortunately, the longer it takes to conduct a successful restore, the more unacceptable downtime a company is forced to endure. Adding to the backup and recovery conundrum is the fact that DBAs usually aren t experts in storage devices and media management. Rather, they spend the bulk of their time and energy attaining specialized knowledge in the realms of database security, performance tuning, monitoring database health and managing database storage structures. In contrast, they aren t always adept at manually implementing or scripting a backup policy that interfaces with backup devices to duplicate, eject or change backup tapes. The quandary for DBAs is determining how best to leverage their valuable database skills. According to projections by the U.S. Department of Labor, the demand for DBAs will remain strong through at least 2014, increasing by 38 percent since In fact, database administration has retained its envied stature on a variety of industry hot job lists for several consecutive years. Still, some

3 industry obs point to a absence of qualified DBAs as the reason for the continued interest while others caution DBAs to solidify their job security by adding strategic value through gaining increased business intelligence and analysis skills. As the size and scope of databases continue to surge, it becomes increasingly imperative for DBAs to envision their jobs with a broader business outlook. The most direct journey to this goal is to follow the path that Oracle and the industry overall is taking to standardize and automate tasks and procedures. In the data protection realm, automated backup and recovery operations can save DBAs from the daily tedium of manual processes while reducing risks, meeting compliance mandates, decreasing downtime, boosting productivity and ensuring business continuity. In the data protection realm, automated backup and recovery operations can save DBAs from the daily tedium of manual processes while reducing risks, meeting compliance mandates, decreasing downtime, boosting productivity and ensuring business continuity. Automation is King The advent of automated backup and recovery tools for Oracle databases ensures the highest levels of data protection, availability and retention. With intuitive Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) and automated workflow processes, best-of-class backup and recovery platforms provide a centralized console for installing, configuring and defining backup and recovery policies for Oracle databases including those in an Oracle Real Application Cluster (RAC) environment. Ideally, comprehensive storage management solutions provide administrators with the flexibility to perform simple, user-managed backups of Oracle databases as well as full-featured RMAN-based backups across multiple operating systems, including Linux, Microsoft Windows and UNIX. Multiple backup approaches let DBAs select their preferred backup method without requiring complex scripting or the need for extensive knowledge of Oracle internals. In June 2007, BakBone Software, a global provider of heterogeneous integrated data protection solutions, announced version 5.0 of its NetVault: Backup Application Plugin Module (APM) for Oracle, which is the first solution to support both user-managed and RMAN-based backup methods. As Figure 1 (RMAN-Based Backup Process) demonstrates, BakBone s NetVault: Backup APM for Oracle RMAN integrates seamlessly with the company s NetVault: Backup console, enabling DBAs to initiate a straightforward, five-step process to streamline Oracle database backups, including those using an RMAN recovery catalog. Administrator workstation Console RmAn Based Backup Process Oracle APm for Oracle Oracle Recovery manager Oracle media management API Oracle Database RmAn Based Backup Process User backup job in NetVault: Backup Console NetVault: Backup APM for Oracle converts job into corresponding RMAN backup commands RMAN executes backup commands which reads data from Oracle database RMAN uses Oracle Media Management API to store backup on backup device managed by NetVault: Backup Server Recovery Catalog Recovery Catalog Database Backup media RMAN stores backup metadata in recovery catalog repository Figure 1

4 Figure 2 (RMAN-Based Restore Process) reinforces the simplicity of data restores, which require an equally easy five-step process for restoring the database from the backup while then applying redo logs to recreate all changes up to a point in time before the data corruption or media failure occurred. With this approach, administrators don t need to issue a long list of manual commands to conduct a restore process. Instead, they simply select what needs to be restored and the Oracle APM automatically performs the recovery with reduced interaction. With this method, the likelihood of a restart due to a syntax error in a complicated script is eliminated. RmAn Based Restore Process Administrator workstation Oracle Console APm for Oracle Oracle Recovery manager Oracle media management API Oracle Database RmAn Based Restore Process User restore job in NetVault: Backup Console NetVault: Backup APM for Oracle converts job into corresponding RMAN restore and recovery commands RMAN reads backup metadata from recovery catalog repository RMAN uses Oracle Media Management API to read backup from backup device managed by NetVault: Backup Server RMAN restores to Oracle and recovers database Recovery Catalog Recovery Catalog Database Backup media Figure 2 NetVault: Backup APM for Oracle facilitates faster and more reliable backups and restores of complete Oracle databases, individual tablespaces or datafiles. Perhaps the overarching benefit is the flexibility to choose which backup approach works best. While administrators achieve the greatest levels of support from RMAN-based backups, they now have the freedom to determine for themselves which backup approach delivers the desired level of data protection. NetVault: Backup APM for Oracle raises the bar for comprehensive data protection with the following features and capabilities: User-managed full database backups while data is online and accessible Protection for single-instance and multi-instance RAC environments Protection down to the datafile level Protection of datafiles stored in Oracle s Automated Storage Management (ASM) filesystem Parallel backup support Restore complete databases, individual tablespaces, or individual datafiles Restore read-only files when needed Rename of datafiles Point-and-click complete recovery and point-in-time recovery based on time, SCN, and log sequence number Disaster recovery of databases to alternate host Automatic integration with a wide range of backup devices

5 Getting Granular without Scripting Oracle continually adds advanced features and robust functionality to each new version of its database. For years, administrators have relied on scripting, which comes with its own phone-book sized documentation, to empower RMAN to take advantage of these native features. While Oracle provides an Enterprise Manager GUI for RMAN to assist with scripting, some options are not available in the GUI. This forces DBAs to resort to RMAN Command Line Interfaces (CLIs), which require a high level of expertise and effort to execute. For example, DBAs cannot rely on the Enterprise Manager GUI to restore read-only files as well as delete archive logs once they ve been restored. Media management, which is a key aspect of any data protection plan, can t be streamlined through the GUI either and require DBAs to write a script or rely on backup and recovery software that supports this functionality Simplifying Oracle Database Protection NetVault: Backup APM for Oracle is transforming the once tedious tasks of assuring increased availability of mission-critical databases by offering administrators the following functionality: Ability to choose between simple, user managed or full-featured RMAN backups depending on level of protection required Protection for single-instance and multi-instance RAC environments Intuitive GUI for setting backup and restore parameters no need for complex scripting Full, differential and cumulative incremental backups while data is online and accessible Parallel backup support Protection down to the datafile level Backups of parameter, control and archived redo log files Complete or point-in-time recovery Restores of complete databases, individual tablespaces or individual datafiles Ability to restore read-only files when needed Disaster recovery of database Full integration with a wide range of backup devices for complete business continuity Backup and recovery tools with high levels of automation significantly reduce the amount of manual intervention required, which can expedite overall processes while delivering the most granular data control. NetVault: Backup APM for Oracle, for example, eases overall administration by enabling DBAs to easily and quickly restore read-only tables along with complete databases, individual tablespaces or individual datafiles. Support for advanced Oracle 10g features, such as Oracle RAC, Automated Storage Management (ASM) and Transparent Data Encryption offers users advanced backup and recovery options. Oracle RAC has the unique ability to provide the highest level of availability, scalability and low cost computing for business applications of all kind. ASM increases user confidence when choosing a filesystem on which to store Oracle database files. ASM also ensures that DBAs have access to the same levels of data protection across all available Oracle file system options, which reduces overall complexity. Likewise, Transparent Data Encryption support provides the ability to safeguard encrypted data for an extra measure of confidence that highly sensitive data is protected and can be recovered easily in the aftermath of a catastrophic event. Streamlining Media Management In large, dispersed enterprises, integrating Oracle backups with a wide range of storage devices, encompassing tape libraries, stand-alone tape devices, virtual tape libraries (VTLs) and shared virtual tape libraries (SVTLs), can be a daunting task. Automatic backup device integration provides administrators with improved manageability by simplifying the process of selecting which backup device should house the data backup. In this fashion, storing backups online in a VTL is a point-andclick operation. Similarly, the process of duplicating the backup to a physical tape library shared by multiple Oracle databases, other proprietary databases or even general backup files is equally straightforward. In similar fashion, DBAs do not require or have to rely on a storage administrator to group media together for specific Oracle use or for concerns about ejecting or rotating tapes. The process has been simplified so in the long run, seamless integration with a company s backup devices can increase confidence that Oracle data is protected and stored safely off-site in accordance with the most efficient disaster recovery and business continuity planning.

6 Five Easy Steps for Recovering Individual Datafiles/Tablespaces with NetVault: Backup APM for Oracle Recovering individual datafiles/tablespaces to the same is simplified with NetVault: Backup APM for Oracle. This type of recovery enables DBAs to recover tablespaces or datafiles that have become corrupted while keeping the database open so that the rest of the data remains available and accessible. In this scenario, the DBA initiates a Complete Recovery by executing the following steps: Step 1: In the Oracle APM Restores Selections window, select the damaged datafile(s)/ tablespace(s) from the latest available backup of the tablespace. (See Figure 1) Step 2: In the Restore Options window, select the Alter Tablespace Offline Before Restore and the Alter Tablespace Online After Restore options. (See Figure 2) Step 3: To recover the tablespace to the current time (i.e., the last committed transaction available in the archive and online redo logs), select the Complete Recovery option in the Perform Recovery tab. (See Figure 3) Step 4: Complete the Schedule and Advanced Options, then submit the job. Step 5: RMAN will automatically choose the best available full, incremental or archived log backups in order to restore and recover the tablespace. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Increase Business Value while Improving Business Continuity Standardized, automated new tools like NetVault: Backup APM for Oracle unshackle database administrators from manual scripting and mundane firefighting to devote more time and effort to issues that can impact bottomline business success. By embracing best-of-class backup and recovery software with integrated Oracle data protection functionality, DBAs no longer have to spend their evenings babysitting inadequate backups or languishing over their lunch hours trying to find an elusive backup file. With integrated data protection, administrators can easily determine how much or how little data they want to protect for any given database. They can readily create a backup policy for standardizing daily processes while also supporting multiple recovery scenarios including disaster recovery, isolated media failure and data corruption. Furthermore, less experienced IT support staff now can oversee daily backup procedures, freeing DBAs to focus on more strategic IT initiatives, such as business intelligence and data warehousing. Today, DBAs have an unprecedented opportunity to minimize the downtime of mission-critical databases while accelerating restores when an unforeseen failure occurs. Automated, innovative backup and recovery tools not only ease the strain on overburdened DBAs but they enable them to seek more careerenriching projects that support the organization s long-range business goals. In the long run, DBAs who embrace the latest in data protection automation will reinforce their value to mission-critical business operations while boosting overall end-user confidence in the company s ability to keep mission-critical data safe and sound, no matter what happens.

7 BakBone Global Headquarters Pacific Heights Boulevard Suite 900 San Diego, CA P: F: Asia Pacific Headquarters Shinjuku Dai-ichi Seimei Bldg.11F Nishi Shinjuku Shinjuku-ku Tokyo Japan P: F: info@bakbone.co.jp Europe Headquarters 100 Longwater Avenue Green Park Reading RG2 6GP United Kingdom P: 44 (0) F: 44 (0) info@bakbone.co.uk