The 11g active data guard implements rman backup for the standby database, so that the database can be backed up without affecting the external services of the primary database.
The test is as follows:
SQL> select OPEN_MODE, PROTECTION_MODE, PROTECTION_LEVEL, DATABASE_ROLE from v $ database;
OPEN_MODE PROTECTION_MODE PROTECTION_LEVEL DATABASE_ROLE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
READ ONLY WITH APPLY MAXIMUM AVAILABILITY PHYSICAL STANDBY
SQL> exit
Disconnected from Oracle Database 11g Enterprise Edition Release 11.2.0.3.0-64bit Production
With the Partitioning, OLAP, Data Mining and Real Application Testing options
@ Pekdc1-vcm-04: [/flashbackfile/vcm01/VCM01_ B/backupset/2014_03_04]
$ Rman target/
Recovery Manager: Release 11.2.0.3.0-Production on Tue Mar 4 17:01:40 2014
Copyright (c) 1982,201 1, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
Connected to target database: VCM01 (DBID = 1142584794)
RMAN> backup database;
Starting backup at 04-MAR-14
Using target database control file instead of recovery catalog
Allocated channel: ORA_DISK_1
Channel ORA_DISK_1: SID = 2280 device type = DISK
Channel ORA_DISK_1: starting full datafile backup set
Channel ORA_DISK_1: specifying datafile (s) in backup set
Input datafile file number = 00005 name =/datafile/vcm01/htz_data01.dbf
Input datafile file number = 00002 name =/datafile/vcm01/sysaux01.dbf
Input datafile file number = 00008 name =/datafile/vcm01/vats_dat01.dbf
Input datafile file number = 00004 name =/datafile/vcm01/dba_ts01.dbf
Input datafile file number = 00001 name =/datafile/vcm01/system01.dbf
Input datafile file number = 00006 name =/datafile/vcm01/htz_index01.dbf
Input datafile file number = 00003 name =/datafile/vcm01/undotbs01.dbf
Input datafile file number = 00007 name =/datafile/vcm01/user_ts_moni_11b01.dbf
Input datafile file number = 00009 name =/datafile/vcm01/user_ts_moni_12b01.dbf
Input datafile file number = 00010 name =/datafile/vcm01/user_ts_moni_13a01.dbf
Channel ORA_DISK_1: starting piece 1 at 04-MAR-14
Channel ORA_DISK_1: finished piece 1 at 04-MAR-14
Piece handle =/flashbackfile/vcm01/VCM01_ B/backupset/2014_03_04/empty _. bkp tag = TAG20140304T170146 comment = NONE
Channel ORA_DISK_1: backup set complete, elapsed time: 00:00:25
Channel ORA_DISK_1: starting full datafile backup set
Channel ORA_DISK_1: specifying datafile (s) in backup set
Including current control file in backup set
Including current SPFILE in backup set
Channel ORA_DISK_1: starting piece 1 at 04-MAR-14
Channel ORA_DISK_1: finished piece 1 at 04-MAR-14
Piece handle =/flashbackfile/vcm01/VCM01_ B/backupset/2014_03_04/empty _. bkp tag = TAG20140304T170146 comment = NONE
Channel ORA_DISK_1: backup set complete, elapsed time: 00:00:01
Finished backup at 04-MAR-14
RMAN>
Recommended reading:
RMAN: Configure an archive log deletion policy
Basic Oracle tutorial-copying a database through RMAN
Reference for RMAN backup policy formulation
RMAN backup learning notes
Oracle Database Backup encryption RMAN Encryption