Release Notes

22 Migrating an Oracle Database to Dell EMC SC Series Storage | CML1001
3.7.7 RMAN
RMAN is a very versatile database backup restore utility that works on versions of Oracle database from
Oracle 8 onward. It can be paired with Transportable Tablespaces feature to achieve minimal downtime
database migration as mentioned in section 3.7.5. Other RMAN options might be considered to assist in the
migration process.
• Use the RMAN FOR TRANSPORT or TO PLATFORM clause to create a cross-platform backup
which can be restored and recovered on the target platform that has a different endian format.
Supported target platforms are listed in V$TRANSPORTABLE_PLATFORM view.
• Use the RMAN CONVERT DATAFILE or RMAN CONVERT TABLESPACE clause to convert the
endianness of data files or tablespaces on the target host.
• Use the RMAN CONVERT DATABASE clause to transport an entire database to the new platform but
the target platform must have the same endian format as the source.
• Leverage existing RMAN database backups and use the RMAN RESTORE and RECOVER clauses
to permanently move a database to a new host.
• Oracle 12c added support for cross-platform database transport using RMAN backup sets to different
endian platform. See the Oracle knowledge base article Doc ID 2013271.1 for more information.
• Use the RMAN RESTORE FROM PLATFORM clause to restore a pre-12c backup to a 12c database
on a different endian platform. See the Oracle knowledge base article Doc ID 1644693.1.
For more information on using RMAN, refer to the Oracle Database Backup and Recovery User’s Guide on
the Oracle Documentation Portal.
3.7.8 Oracle Data Guard
Oracle Data Guard is typically deployed as a high availability solution in an environment where the primary
and physical standby databases are running on the same OS platform. However Data Guard can also be
deployed in certain heterogeneous configurations and is useful as a cross-platform database migration
method. The Oracle knowledge article Data Guard Support for Heterogeneous Primary and Physical
Standbys in Same Data Guard Configuration (Doc ID 413484.1) details the supported cross-platform
combination in the same Data Guard configuration.
To migrate a database, first set up a physical standby on the target platform and let it fully sync up to the
primary. After it is fully in sync, perform a role swap which turns the standby database into the primary
database. Because of this, it is one of the most seamless migration methods which requires little to no
downtime to the applications.
3.7.9 Oracle GoldenGate
Oracle GoldenGate is a powerful software that allows information exchange, transformation, and replication
between heterogeneous platforms. With its replication features, administrators can copy the database, keep
the source and target databases in sync, and upgrade the database on the target without affecting the
primary database. The Oracle white paper, Zero Downtime Upgrade Using Oracle GoldenGate, explains how
it can be achieved with GoldenGate.