Differential incremental backups and cumulative incremental backups

Differential incremental backups

In
A differential level 1 backup, RMAN backs up all blocks that have
Changed since the most recent Incremental backup at level 1 (cumulative
Or differential) or level 0. For example, in a differential level 1
Backup, RMAN determines which level 1 backup occurred most recently and
Backs up all blocks modified after that backup. If no Level 1 is
Available, RMAN copies all blocks changed since the base level 0 backup.

If no level 0 backup is available, then the behavior varies with
Compatibility mode setting. If compatibility is> = 10.0.0, RMAN copies
All blocks that have been changed since the file was created.
Otherwise, RMAN behaves as it did in previous releases, by generating
Level 0 backup.

Figure 2-4 differential incremental backups

Description of "Figure 2-4 differential incremental backups"

In the example shown in Figure 2-4
, The following occurs each week:

• Sunday

  An incremental level 0 backup backs up all
  Blocks that have ever been in use in this database.

• Monday-Saturday

  On each day from Monday through Saturday, a differential incremental
  Level 1 backup backs up all blocks that have changed since the most
  Recent Incremental backup at level 1 or 0. The Monday backup copies
  Blocks changed since Sunday level 0 backup, the Tuesday backup copies
  Blocks changed since the Monday Level 1 backup, and so forth.

Cumulative incremental backups

In
A cumulative level 1 backup, RMAN backs up all the blocks used since
The most recent level 0 Incremental backup. cumulative incremental
Backups reduce the work needed for a restore by ensuring that you only
Need one Incremental backup from any participant level. Cumulative
Backups require more space and time than differential backups, however,
Because they duplicate the work done by previous backups at the same
Level.

Figure 2-5 cumulative incremental backups

Description of "Figure 2-5 cumulative incremental backups"

In the example shown in Figure 2-5
, The following occurs each week:

• Sunday

  An incremental level 0 backup backs up all
  Blocks that have ever been in use in this database.

• Monday-Saturday

  A cumulative incremental Level 1 backup copies all blocks changed
  Since the most recent level 0 backup. Because the most recent level 0
  Backup was created on Sunday, the level 1 backup on each day Monday
  Through Saturday backs up all blocks changed since the Sunday backup.