Introduction
RMAN lets you take an incremental backup starting from a specific System Change Number (SCN), which is a different resynchronization approach from the live, network-based RECOVER ... FROM SERVICE method we covered in an earlier post. This SCN-based method backs up to disk first and transfers the files manually, which makes it a better fit when network bandwidth to the standby is limited, when the standby server can't reach the primary's service directly, or when you want a backup file you can hold onto and stage before applying. In this guide, we'll resynchronize a standby whose archive gap is too large for normal redo apply, using an SCN-based incremental backup.
Prerequisites
- Oracle Data Guard should already be configured.
- Disable Data Guard Broker if it's in use, since Broker will automatically restart managed recovery (MRP) and interfere with the manual steps below.
Environment Used in This Guide
| Server | Primary | Standby |
|---|---|---|
| Hostname | Source | Target |
| IP | 192.168.80.51 | 192.168.80.111 |
| OS | OEL 9 | OEL 9 |
| SID | ORCLDC | ORCLDR |
| Service Name | ORCLDC | ORCLDR |
Step 1: Check the SCN Gap Between Primary and Standby
Confirm the gap at both the archive log level and the SCN level, this SCN is the exact number we'll use to tell RMAN where to start the incremental backup from.
At Primary:
SQL> select name,db_unique_name,database_role,open_mode from v$database;
NAME DB_UNIQUE_NAME DATABASE_ROLE OPEN_MODE
--------- ------------------------------ ---------------- --------------------
ORCL ORCLDC PRIMARY READ WRITE
SQL>
SQL> select d.db_unique_name,d.database_role, a.thread#, b.last_seq, a.applied_seq, a.last_app_timestamp, b.last_seq - a.applied_seq ARC_DIFF
FROM
(select thread#, MAX(sequence#) applied_seq, MAX(next_time) last_app_timestamp from gv$archived_log where applied='YES' group by thread#) a,
(select thread#, MAX(sequence#) last_seq from gv$archived_log group by thread#) b,
(select db_unique_name,database_role from v$database) d where a.thread#=b.thread#;
DB_UNIQUE_NAME DATABASE_ROLE THREAD# LAST_SEQ APPLIED_SEQ LAST_APP_TIMESTAMP ARC_DIFF
------------------------------ ---------------- ---------- ---------- ----------- -------------------- ----------
ORCLDC PRIMARY 1 228 217 30-MAR-2025 15:59:50 11
SQL> select current_scn from v$database;
CURRENT_SCN
-----------
4247921
SQL> select HXFIL File_num,substr(HXFNM,1,60) "file", fhscn from x$kcvfh;
FILE_NUM file FHSCN
---------- ------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------
1 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/system01.dbf 4247359
3 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/sysaux01.dbf 4247359
4 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/undotbs01.dbf 4247359
5 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/pdbseed/system01.dbf 2345308
6 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/pdbseed/sysaux01.dbf 2345308
7 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/users01.dbf 4247359
8 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/pdbseed/undotbs01.dbf 2345308
9 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/orclpdb/system01.dbf 4247359
10 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/orclpdb/sysaux01.dbf 4247359
11 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/orclpdb/undotbs01.dbf 4247359
12 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/orclpdb/users01.dbf 4247359
13 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/orclpdb/test01.dbf 4247359
12 rows selected.
SQL>
At Standby:
SQL> select name,db_unique_name,database_role,open_mode from v$database;
NAME DB_UNIQUE_NAME DATABASE_ROLE OPEN_MODE
--------- ------------------------------ ---------------- --------------------
ORCL ORCLDR PHYSICAL STANDBY MOUNTED
SQL>
SQL> select d.db_unique_name,d.database_role, a.thread#, b.last_seq, a.applied_seq, a.last_app_timestamp, b.last_seq - a.applied_seq ARC_DIFF
FROM
(select thread#, MAX(sequence#) applied_seq, MAX(next_time) last_app_timestamp from gv$archived_log where applied='YES' group by thread#) a,
(select thread#, MAX(sequence#) last_seq from gv$archived_log group by thread#) b,
(select db_unique_name,database_role from v$database) d where a.thread#=b.thread#;
DB_UNIQUE_NAME DATABASE_ROLE THREAD# LAST_SEQ APPLIED_SEQ LAST_APP_TIMESTAMP ARC_DIFF
------------------------------ ---------------- ---------- ---------- ----------- -------------------- ----------
ORCLDR PHYSICAL STANDBY 1 228 217 30-MAR-2025 15:59:50 11
SQL>
SQL> select current_scn from v$database;
CURRENT_SCN
-----------
4125211
SQL>
SQL> col file for a60
SQL> select HXFIL File_num,substr(HXFNM,1,60) "file", fhscn from x$kcvfh;
FILE_NUM file FHSCN
---------- ------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------
1 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/system01.dbf 4125212
3 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/sysaux01.dbf 4125212
4 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/undotbs01.dbf 4125212
5 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/pdbseed/system01.dbf 2345308
6 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/pdbseed/sysaux01.dbf 2345308
7 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/users01.dbf 4125212
8 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/pdbseed/undotbs01.dbf 2345308
9 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/system01.dbf 4125212
10 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/sysaux01.dbf 4125212
11 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/undotbs01.dbf 4125212
12 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/users01.dbf 4125212
13 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/test01.dbf 4125212
12 rows selected.
Both the archive log gap (11 sequences) and SCN mismatch confirm the standby needs resynchronization.
Step 2: Take an Incremental Backup on the Primary From the Standby's SCN
Important: always use an SCN earlier than the standby's exact current SCN, not the exact number itself. For example, if the standby shows SCN 4125211, take the backup from something like 4120211. This safety margin accounts for any changes that occurred between when you queried the SCN and when the backup actually started.
[oracle@source rmanscn]$ rman target /
Recovery Manager: Release 19.0.0.0.0 - Production on Fri Apr 11 10:57:53 2025
Version 19.24.0.0.0
Copyright (c) 1982, 2019, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
connected to target database: ORCL (DBID=1718803653)
RMAN>
RMAN> report schema;
using target database control file instead of recovery catalog
Report of database schema for database with db_unique_name ORCLDC
List of Permanent Datafiles
===========================
File Size(MB) Tablespace RB segs Datafile Name
---- -------- -------------------- ------- ------------------------
1 1100 SYSTEM YES /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/system01.dbf
3 920 SYSAUX NO /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/sysaux01.dbf
4 710 UNDOTBS1 YES /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/undotbs01.dbf
5 450 PDB$SEED:SYSTEM NO /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/pdbseed/system01.dbf
6 430 PDB$SEED:SYSAUX NO /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/pdbseed/sysaux01.dbf
7 5 USERS NO /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/users01.dbf
8 230 PDB$SEED:UNDOTBS1 NO /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/pdbseed/undotbs01.dbf
9 460 ORCLPDB:SYSTEM YES /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/orclpdb/system01.dbf
10 490 ORCLPDB:SYSAUX NO /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/orclpdb/sysaux01.dbf
11 230 ORCLPDB:UNDOTBS1 YES /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/orclpdb/undotbs01.dbf
12 5 ORCLPDB:USERS NO /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/orclpdb/users01.dbf
13 1024 ORCLPDB:TEST NO /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/orclpdb/test01.dbf
List of Temporary Files
=======================
File Size(MB) Tablespace Maxsize(MB) Tempfile Name
---- -------- -------------------- ----------- --------------------
1 181 TEMP 32767 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/temp01.dbf
2 174 PDB$SEED:TEMP 32767 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/pdbseed/temp012025-01-22_00-17-43-687-AM.dbf
3 174 ORCLPDB:TEMP 32767 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/orclpdb/temp01.dbf
RMAN>
RMAN> run
{
allocate channel c1 type disk;
backup incremental from scn 4120211 database format '/u01/app/oracle/rmanscn/database_%d_%u_%s';
backup current controlfile for standby format '/u01/app/oracle/rmanscn/stnbyControl_%d_%u_%s';
release channel c1;
}
allocated channel: c1
channel c1: SID=285 device type=DISK
Starting backup at 11-APR-25
RMAN-06755: warning: datafile 5: incremental-start SCN is too recent; using checkpoint SCN 2345308 instead
RMAN-06755: warning: datafile 6: incremental-start SCN is too recent; using checkpoint SCN 2345308 instead
RMAN-06755: warning: datafile 8: incremental-start SCN is too recent; using checkpoint SCN 2345308 instead
channel c1: starting full datafile backup set
channel c1: specifying datafile(s) in backup set
input datafile file number=00001 name=/u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/system01.dbf
input datafile file number=00003 name=/u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/sysaux01.dbf
input datafile file number=00004 name=/u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/undotbs01.dbf
input datafile file number=00007 name=/u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/users01.dbf
channel c1: starting piece 1 at 11-APR-25
channel c1: finished piece 1 at 11-APR-25
piece handle=/u01/app/oracle/rmanscn/database_ORCL_423mkimi_130 tag=TAG20250411T105826 comment=NONE
channel c1: backup set complete, elapsed time: 00:01:16
channel c1: starting full datafile backup set
channel c1: specifying datafile(s) in backup set
input datafile file number=00013 name=/u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/orclpdb/test01.dbf
input datafile file number=00010 name=/u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/orclpdb/sysaux01.dbf
input datafile file number=00009 name=/u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/orclpdb/system01.dbf
input datafile file number=00011 name=/u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/orclpdb/undotbs01.dbf
input datafile file number=00012 name=/u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/orclpdb/users01.dbf
channel c1: starting piece 1 at 11-APR-25
channel c1: finished piece 1 at 11-APR-25
piece handle=/u01/app/oracle/rmanscn/database_ORCL_433mkiou_131 tag=TAG20250411T105826 comment=NONE
channel c1: backup set complete, elapsed time: 00:00:55
channel c1: starting full datafile backup set
channel c1: specifying datafile(s) in backup set
input datafile file number=00005 name=/u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/pdbseed/system01.dbf
skipping datafile 00005 because it has not changed
input datafile file number=00006 name=/u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/pdbseed/sysaux01.dbf
skipping datafile 00006 because it has not changed
input datafile file number=00008 name=/u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/pdbseed/undotbs01.dbf
skipping datafile 00008 because it has not changed
channel c1: backup cancelled because all files were skipped
channel c1: starting full datafile backup set
channel c1: specifying datafile(s) in backup set
including current control file in backup set
channel c1: starting piece 1 at 11-APR-25
channel c1: finished piece 1 at 11-APR-25
piece handle=/u01/app/oracle/rmanscn/database_ORCL_453mkiqm_133 tag=TAG20250411T105826 comment=NONE
channel c1: backup set complete, elapsed time: 00:00:01
Finished backup at 11-APR-25
Starting backup at 11-APR-25
channel c1: starting full datafile backup set
channel c1: specifying datafile(s) in backup set
including standby control file in backup set
channel c1: starting piece 1 at 11-APR-25
channel c1: finished piece 1 at 11-APR-25
piece handle=/u01/app/oracle/rmanscn/stnbyControl_ORCL_463mkiqv_134 tag=TAG20250411T110047 comment=NONE
channel c1: backup set complete, elapsed time: 00:00:01
Finished backup at 11-APR-25
Starting Control File and SPFILE Autobackup at 11-APR-25
piece handle=/u01/app/oracle/fast_recovery_area/ORCLDC/autobackup/2025_04_11/o1_mf_s_1198148451_mzkb8d4d_.bkp comment=NONE
Finished Control File and SPFILE Autobackup at 11-APR-25
released channel: c1
RMAN>
RMAN> exit
Recovery Manager complete.
Notice the PDB$SEED datafiles (5, 6, 8) get skipped entirely, they haven't changed since seed creation, so RMAN correctly avoids backing them up again.
Step 3: Transfer the Backup Files to the Standby
Unlike the FROM SERVICE method, this approach produces physical backup pieces that need to be copied to the standby manually, typically with scp or another file transfer method.
[oracle@source rmanscn]$ ls -lrth
total 130M
-rw-r-----. 1 oracle oinstall 77M Apr 11 10:59 database_ORCL_423mkimi_130
-rw-r-----. 1 oracle oinstall 16M Apr 11 11:00 database_ORCL_433mkiou_131
-rw-r-----. 1 oracle oinstall 19M Apr 11 11:00 database_ORCL_453mkiqm_133
-rw-r-----. 1 oracle oinstall 19M Apr 11 11:00 stnbyControl_ORCL_463mkiqv_134
[oracle@source rmanscn]$
[oracle@source rmanscn]$ scp * oracle@target:/u01/app/oracle/rmandr
oracle@target's password:
database_ORCL_423mkimi_130 100% 77MB 29.3MB/s 00:02
database_ORCL_433mkiou_131 100% 16MB 58.2MB/s 00:00
database_ORCL_453mkiqm_133 100% 18MB 61.9MB/s 00:00
stnbyControl_ORCL_463mkiqv_134 100% 18MB 61.5MB/s 00:00
[oracle@source rmanscn]$
Step 4: Take a Report Schema Snapshot and Shut Down the Standby
Before restoring the new control file, capture the current schema report and a backup copy of the existing control file, this gives you something to reference or fall back to if anything goes wrong in the next steps.
[oracle@target ~]$ rman target /
Recovery Manager: Release 19.0.0.0.0 - Production on Fri Apr 11 11:04:24 2025
Version 19.24.0.0.0
Copyright (c) 1982, 2019, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
connected to target database: ORCL (DBID=1718803653, not open)
RMAN>
RMAN> report schema;
using target database control file instead of recovery catalog
RMAN-06139: warning: control file is not current for REPORT SCHEMA
Report of database schema for database with db_unique_name ORCLDR
List of Permanent Datafiles
===========================
File Size(MB) Tablespace RB segs Datafile Name
---- -------- -------------------- ------- ------------------------
1 1100 SYSTEM *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/system01.dbf
3 920 SYSAUX *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/sysaux01.dbf
4 710 UNDOTBS1 *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/undotbs01.dbf
5 450 PDB$SEED:SYSTEM *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/pdbseed/system01.dbf
6 430 PDB$SEED:SYSAUX *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/pdbseed/sysaux01.dbf
7 5 USERS *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/users01.dbf
8 230 PDB$SEED:UNDOTBS1 *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/pdbseed/undotbs01.dbf
9 460 ORCLPDB:SYSTEM *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/system01.dbf
10 490 ORCLPDB:SYSAUX *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/sysaux01.dbf
11 230 ORCLPDB:UNDOTBS1 *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/undotbs01.dbf
12 5 ORCLPDB:USERS *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/users01.dbf
13 1024 ORCLPDB:TEST *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/test01.dbf
List of Temporary Files
=======================
File Size(MB) Tablespace Maxsize(MB) Tempfile Name
---- -------- -------------------- ----------- --------------------
1 32 TEMP 32767 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/temp01.dbf
2 36 PDB$SEED:TEMP 32767 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/pdbseed/temp012025-01-22_00-17-43-687-AM.dbf
3 174 ORCLPDB:TEMP 32767 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/temp01.dbf
RMAN> exit
Recovery Manager complete.
[oracle@target ~]$ sqlplus / as sysdba
SQL*Plus: Release 19.0.0.0.0 - Production on Fri Apr 11 11:05:09 2025
Version 19.24.0.0.0
Copyright (c) 1982, 2024, Oracle. All rights reserved.
Connected to:
Oracle Database 19c Enterprise Edition Release 19.0.0.0.0 - Production
Version 19.24.0.0.0
SQL> alter database recover managed standby database cancel;
Database altered.
SQL> shut immediate;
ORA-01109: database not open
Database dismounted.
ORACLE instance shut down.
SQL> exit
Disconnected from Oracle Database 19c Enterprise Edition Release 19.0.0.0.0 - Production
Version 19.24.0.0.0
[oracle@target ~]$ cd /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/
[oracle@target ORCLDR]$ ls -lrth
total 4.1G
drwxr-x---. 2 oracle oinstall 111 Jan 23 10:45 pdbseed
drwxr-x---. 2 oracle oinstall 122 Jan 23 10:45 orclpdb
-rw-r-----. 1 oracle oinstall 33M Jan 23 10:46 temp01.dbf
-rw-r-----. 1 oracle oinstall 201M Jan 24 10:41 standby_redo04.log
-rw-r-----. 1 oracle oinstall 201M Jan 24 10:55 redo01.log
-rw-r-----. 1 oracle oinstall 201M Jan 24 10:55 redo02.log
-rw-r-----. 1 oracle oinstall 201M Jan 24 10:55 redo03.log
-rw-r-----. 1 oracle oinstall 201M Mar 30 15:36 standby_redo03.log
-rw-r-----. 1 oracle oinstall 1.1G Mar 30 16:09 system01.dbf
-rw-r-----. 1 oracle oinstall 921M Mar 30 16:09 sysaux01.dbf
-rw-r-----. 1 oracle oinstall 711M Mar 30 16:09 undotbs01.dbf
-rw-r-----. 1 oracle oinstall 5.1M Mar 30 16:09 users01.dbf
-rw-r-----. 1 oracle oinstall 201M Mar 30 16:09 standby_redo01.log
-rw-r-----. 1 oracle oinstall 201M Apr 11 11:05 standby_redo02.log
-rw-r-----. 1 oracle oinstall 19M Apr 11 11:05 control01.ctl
[oracle@target ORCLDR]$ cp control01.ctl /home/oracle/control01bkp.ctl
[oracle@target ORCLDR]$
Step 5: Start the Standby in Nomount Mode
[oracle@target rmandr]$ sqlplus / as sysdba
SQL*Plus: Release 19.0.0.0.0 - Production on Fri Apr 11 11:30:30 2025
Version 19.24.0.0.0
Copyright (c) 1982, 2024, Oracle. All rights reserved.
Connected to an idle instance.
SQL>
SQL> startup nomount;
ORACLE instance started.
Total System Global Area 1459616616 bytes
Fixed Size 9177960 bytes
Variable Size 1224736768 bytes
Database Buffers 218103808 bytes
Redo Buffers 7598080 bytes
SQL>
SQL> exit
Disconnected from Oracle Database 19c Enterprise Edition Release 19.0.0.0.0 - Production
Version 19.24.0.0.0
Step 6: Restore the Control File From the Incremental Backup and Mount
Unlike FROM SERVICE, here we restore from the specific standby control file backup piece we transferred in Step 3, rather than pulling it live over the network.
[oracle@target rmandr]$ rman target /
Recovery Manager: Release 19.0.0.0.0 - Production on Fri Apr 11 11:32:25 2025
Version 19.24.0.0.0
Copyright (c) 1982, 2019, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
connected to target database: ORCL (not mounted)
RMAN>
RMAN> restore controlfile from '/u01/app/oracle/rmandr/stnbyControl_ORCL_463mkiqv_134';
Starting restore at 11-APR-25
using target database control file instead of recovery catalog
allocated channel: ORA_DISK_1
channel ORA_DISK_1: SID=255 device type=DISK
channel ORA_DISK_1: restoring control file
channel ORA_DISK_1: restore complete, elapsed time: 00:00:02
output file name=/u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/control01.ctl
output file name=/u01/app/oracle/fast_recovery_area/ORCLDR/control02.ctl
Finished restore at 11-APR-25
RMAN> alter database mount;
released channel: ORA_DISK_1
Statement processed
RMAN>
RMAN> report schema;
Starting implicit crosscheck backup at 11-APR-25
allocated channel: ORA_DISK_1
channel ORA_DISK_1: SID=237 device type=DISK
Crosschecked 18 objects
Finished implicit crosscheck backup at 11-APR-25
Starting implicit crosscheck copy at 11-APR-25
using channel ORA_DISK_1
Finished implicit crosscheck copy at 11-APR-25
searching for all files in the recovery area
cataloging files...
cataloging done
List of Cataloged Files
=======================
File Name: /u01/app/oracle/fast_recovery_area/ORCLDR/archivelog/2025_04_11/o1_mf_1_227_mzk99fh4_.arc
File Name: /u01/app/oracle/fast_recovery_area/ORCLDR/archivelog/2025_04_11/o1_mf_1_228_mzk99fl7_.arc
File Name: /u01/app/oracle/fast_recovery_area/ORCLDR/archivelog/2025_04_11/o1_mf_1_226_mzk99fs4_.arc
File Name: /u01/app/oracle/fast_recovery_area/ORCLDR/archivelog/2025_04_11/o1_mf_1_229_mzk9yzyv_.arc
RMAN-06139: warning: control file is not current for REPORT SCHEMA
Report of database schema for database with db_unique_name ORCLDR
List of Permanent Datafiles
===========================
File Size(MB) Tablespace RB segs Datafile Name
---- -------- -------------------- ------- ------------------------
1 1100 SYSTEM *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/system01.dbf
3 920 SYSAUX *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/sysaux01.dbf
4 710 UNDOTBS1 *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/undotbs01.dbf
5 450 PDB$SEED:SYSTEM *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/pdbseed/system01.dbf
6 430 PDB$SEED:SYSAUX *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/pdbseed/sysaux01.dbf
7 5 USERS *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/users01.dbf
8 230 PDB$SEED:UNDOTBS1 *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/pdbseed/undotbs01.dbf
9 460 ORCLPDB:SYSTEM *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/system01.dbf
10 490 ORCLPDB:SYSAUX *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/sysaux01.dbf
11 230 ORCLPDB:UNDOTBS1 *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/undotbs01.dbf
12 5 ORCLPDB:USERS *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/users01.dbf
13 1024 ORCLPDB:TEST *** /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/test01.dbf
List of Temporary Files
=======================
File Size(MB) Tablespace Maxsize(MB) Tempfile Name
---- -------- -------------------- ----------- --------------------
1 32 TEMP 32767 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/temp01.dbf
2 36 PDB$SEED:TEMP 32767 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/pdbseed/temp012025-01-22_00-17-43-687-AM.dbf
3 174 ORCLPDB:TEMP 32767 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/temp01.dbf
RMAN>
Step 7: Catalog the Backup Files and Recover
Since these are local files rather than a live network connection, RMAN needs to catalog them first before it knows they exist and can use them for recovery.
RMAN> catalog start with '/u01/app/oracle/rmandr';
searching for all files that match the pattern /u01/app/oracle/rmandr
List of Files Unknown to the Database
=====================================
File Name: /u01/app/oracle/rmandr/database_ORCL_423mkimi_130
File Name: /u01/app/oracle/rmandr/database_ORCL_433mkiou_131
File Name: /u01/app/oracle/rmandr/database_ORCL_453mkiqm_133
File Name: /u01/app/oracle/rmandr/stnbyControl_ORCL_463mkiqv_134
Do you really want to catalog the above files (enter YES or NO)? YES
cataloging files...
cataloging done
List of Cataloged Files
=======================
File Name: /u01/app/oracle/rmandr/database_ORCL_423mkimi_130
File Name: /u01/app/oracle/rmandr/database_ORCL_433mkiou_131
File Name: /u01/app/oracle/rmandr/database_ORCL_453mkiqm_133
File Name: /u01/app/oracle/rmandr/stnbyControl_ORCL_463mkiqv_134
RMAN> run
{
allocate channel c1 type disk;
recover database;
release channel c1;
}
allocated channel: c1
channel c1: SID=237 device type=DISK
Starting recover at 11-APR-25
channel c1: starting incremental datafile backup set restore
channel c1: specifying datafile(s) to restore from backup set
destination for restore of datafile 00001: /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/system01.dbf
destination for restore of datafile 00003: /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/sysaux01.dbf
destination for restore of datafile 00004: /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/undotbs01.dbf
destination for restore of datafile 00007: /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/users01.dbf
channel c1: reading from backup piece /u01/app/oracle/rmandr/database_ORCL_423mkimi_130
channel c1: piece handle=/u01/app/oracle/rmandr/database_ORCL_423mkimi_130 tag=TAG20250411T105826
channel c1: restored backup piece 1
channel c1: restore complete, elapsed time: 00:00:03
channel c1: starting incremental datafile backup set restore
channel c1: specifying datafile(s) to restore from backup set
destination for restore of datafile 00009: /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/system01.dbf
destination for restore of datafile 00010: /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/sysaux01.dbf
destination for restore of datafile 00011: /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/undotbs01.dbf
destination for restore of datafile 00012: /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/users01.dbf
destination for restore of datafile 00013: /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/test01.dbf
channel c1: reading from backup piece /u01/app/oracle/rmandr/database_ORCL_433mkiou_131
channel c1: piece handle=/u01/app/oracle/rmandr/database_ORCL_433mkiou_131 tag=TAG20250411T105826
channel c1: restored backup piece 1
channel c1: restore complete, elapsed time: 00:00:07
starting media recovery
archived log for thread 1 with sequence 230 is already on disk as file /u01/app/oracle/fast_recovery_area/ORCLDR/archivelog/2025_04_11/o1_mf_1_230_mzkd4tr5_.arc
archived log for thread 1 with sequence 231 is already on disk as file /u01/app/oracle/fast_recovery_area/ORCLDR/archivelog/2025_04_11/o1_mf_1_231_mzkd4trz_.arc
archived log for thread 1 with sequence 232 is already on disk as file /u01/app/oracle/fast_recovery_area/ORCLDR/archivelog/2025_04_11/o1_mf_1_232_mzkdm9v3_.arc
archived log file name=/u01/app/oracle/fast_recovery_area/ORCLDR/archivelog/2025_04_11/o1_mf_1_230_mzkd4tr5_.arc thread=1 sequence=230
archived log file name=/u01/app/oracle/fast_recovery_area/ORCLDR/archivelog/2025_04_11/o1_mf_1_231_mzkd4trz_.arc thread=1 sequence=231
archived log file name=/u01/app/oracle/fast_recovery_area/ORCLDR/archivelog/2025_04_11/o1_mf_1_232_mzkdm9v3_.arc thread=1 sequence=232
media recovery complete, elapsed time: 00:00:04
Finished recover at 11-APR-25
released channel: c1
RMAN>
Exception: RMAN-06094 Datafile Must Be Restored
You might hit RMAN-06094: datafile 1 must be restored during recovery. This typically happens because the restored control file still carries the primary's datafile paths instead of the standby's. When this occurs, report schema will show all datafiles at size 0, as below:
RMAN> report schema;
using target database control file instead of recovery catalog
Report of database schema for database with db_unique_name ORCLDR
List of Permanent Datafiles
===========================
File Size(MB) Tablespace RB segs Datafile Name
---- -------- -------------------- ------- ------------------------
1 0 SYSTEM YES /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/system01.dbf
3 0 SYSAUX NO /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/sysaux01.dbf
4 0 UNDOTBS1 YES /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/undotbs01.dbf
5 0 PDB$SEED:SYSTEM NO /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/pdbseed/system01.dbf
6 0 PDB$SEED:SYSAUX NO /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/pdbseed/sysaux01.dbf
7 0 USERS NO /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/users01.dbf
8 0 PDB$SEED:UNDOTBS1 NO /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/pdbseed/undotbs01.dbf
9 0 ORCLPDB:SYSTEM YES /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/orclpdb/system01.dbf
10 0 ORCLPDB:SYSAUX NO /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/orclpdb/sysaux01.dbf
11 0 ORCLPDB:UNDOTBS1 YES /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/orclpdb/undotbs01.dbf
12 0 ORCLPDB:USERS NO /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/orclpdb/users01.dbf
13 0 ORCLPDB:TEST NO /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/orclpdb/test01.dbf
List of Temporary Files
=======================
File Size(MB) Tablespace Maxsize(MB) Tempfile Name
---- -------- -------------------- ----------- --------------------
1 0 TEMP 32767 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/temp01.dbf
2 0 PDB$SEED:TEMP 32767 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/pdbseed/temp012025-01-22_00-17-43-687-AM.dbf
3 0 ORCLPDB:TEMP 32767 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCL/orclpdb/temp01.dbf
RMAN>
To resolve this, follow Oracle's documented fix in Doc ID 1339439.1, or rename each datafile from the primary's path to the standby's path (using the schema report you captured in Step 4 as your reference):
alter database rename file 'PrimaryLocation' to 'StandbyLocation';
Step 8: Check the SCN, Start MRP, and Confirm Sync
Verify the standby's current SCN, restart managed recovery, and switch a couple of logs on the primary to confirm the standby catches up fully.
SQL> select name,db_unique_name,database_role,open_mode from v$database;
NAME DB_UNIQUE_NAME DATABASE_ROLE OPEN_MODE
--------- ------------------------------ ---------------- --------------------
ORCL ORCLDR PHYSICAL STANDBY MOUNTED
SQL> select current_scn from v$database;
CURRENT_SCN
-----------
4256971
SQL>
SQL> set lines 333 pages 333
SQL> col file for a60
SQL>
SQL> select HXFIL File_num,substr(HXFNM,1,60) "file", fhscn from x$kcvfh;
FILE_NUM file FHSCN
---------- ------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------
1 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/system01.dbf 4256972
3 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/sysaux01.dbf 4256972
4 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/undotbs01.dbf 4256972
5 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/pdbseed/system01.dbf 2345308
6 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/pdbseed/sysaux01.dbf 2345308
7 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/users01.dbf 4256972
8 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/pdbseed/undotbs01.dbf 2345308
9 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/system01.dbf 4256972
10 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/sysaux01.dbf 4256972
11 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/undotbs01.dbf 4256972
12 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/users01.dbf 4256972
13 /u01/app/oracle/oradata/ORCLDR/orclpdb/test01.dbf 4256972
12 rows selected.
SQL>
SQL> alter database recover managed standby database disconnect from session;
Database altered.
SQL> set lines 200 pages 300
SQL> alter session set nls_date_format= 'DD-MON-YYYY HH24:MI:SS';
Session altered.
SQL> select d.db_unique_name,d.database_role, a.thread#, b.last_seq, a.applied_seq, a.last_app_timestamp, b.last_seq - a.applied_seq ARC_DIFF
FROM
(select thread#, MAX(sequence#) applied_seq, MAX(next_time) last_app_timestamp from gv$archived_log where applied='YES' group by thread#) a,
(select thread#, MAX(sequence#) last_seq from gv$archived_log group by thread#) b,
(select db_unique_name,database_role from v$database) d where a.thread#=b.thread#;
DB_UNIQUE_NAME DATABASE_ROLE THREAD# LAST_SEQ APPLIED_SEQ ARC_DIFF LAST_APP_TIMESTAMP GAP_IN_MINS GAP_IN_SECONDS
------------------------------ ---------------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- -------------------- ----------- --------------
ORCLDR PHYSICAL STANDBY 1 234 234 0 11-APR-2025 11:49:56 5.8 348
SQL>
ARC_DIFF is back to 0, confirming the standby has fully caught up and MRP is running normally again.
Thank you for reading!
I hope this content has been helpful to you. Your feedback and suggestions are always welcome. Feel free to leave a comment or reach out with any queries.
Abhishek Shrivastava
Oracle DBA with hands-on experience managing production Data Guard, RAC, GoldenGate, and APEX environments. I write practical, tested installation and troubleshooting guides based on real deployment work.
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