Rman backup & Restore in different locations

Introduction

Managing large Oracle database backups—especially when they exceed multiple terabytes—often forces us to use multiple mount points due to limited storage availability. In my setup, I had RMAN backup files spread across /u02 and /u03, which made restoring using a single RMAN command challenging.

Instead of restructuring storage, I used a workaround: creating soft links. This makes the backup pieces from different locations appear as though they're under one directory—simplifying the RMAN restore process.

Below is a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough based on my practical experience.

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Solution

Let’s assume your backup files reside in:

• /u02/backup/location1

• /u03/backup/location2

Since RMAN’s DUPLICATE DATABASE command accepts only one backup source, we overcome this by consolidating all files via symbolic links.

Example Structure

In /u02/backup/location1, run the following commands:

cd /u02/backup/location1

ln -s /u03/backup/location2/PROD_df_full_143926_1.bak PROD_df_full_143926_1.bak
ln -s /u03/backup/location2/PROD_df_full_143927_1.bak PROD_df_full_143927_1.bak
ln -s /u03/backup/location2/PROD_df_full_143929_1.bak PROD_df_full_143929_1.bak
ln -s /u03/backup/location2/PROD_df_full_143936_1.bak PROD_df_full_143936_1.bak
ln -s /u03/backup/location2/PROD_df_full_143935_1.bak PROD_df_full_143935_1.bak

Afterward, executing ls -l in /u02/backup/location1 yields:

FINP01_df_full_143926_1.bak -> /u03/backup/rbackup/FINS01/FINP01_df_full_143926_1.bak
FINP01_df_full_143927_1.bak -> /u03/backup/rbackup/FINS01/FINP01_df_full_143927_1.bak
FINP01_df_full_143929_1.bak -> /u03/backup/rbackup/FINS01/FINP01_df_full_143929_1.bak
FINP01_df_full_143936_1.bak -> /u03/backup/rbackup/FINS01/FINP01_df_full_143936_1.bak
FINP01_df_full_143935_1.bak -> /u03/backup/rbackup/FINS01/FINP01_df_full_143935_1.bak

This setup tricks RMAN into recognizing all backup pieces as coming from a single location.

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Step-by-Step: Using RMAN Duplicate with Soft Links

1. Create Soft Links
   As shown above, link all backup files from /u03 into /u02.

2. Execute the RMAN Duplicate Command
   Run this command, pointing to the single aggregated location:

   DUPLICATE TARGET DATABASE TO <TARGETDB>
   BACKUP LOCATION '/u02/backup/location1'
   NOFILENAMECHECK;
   

   By doing this, RMAN treats /u02/backup/location1 as the only backup source, while it effectively includes files from both mount points via soft links.