In response to a comment on a previous Blog Post RMAN Backup of a Standby Database, I show incremental Backups as well below
RMAN> backup as compressed backupset incremental level 0 database;
backup as compressed backupset incremental level 0 database;
Starting backup at 07-NOV-25
using target database control file instead of recovery catalog
allocated channel: ORA_DISK_1
channel ORA_DISK_1: SID=219 device type=DISK
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting compressed incremental level 0 datafile backup set
channel ORA_DISK_1: specifying datafile(s) in backup set
input datafile file number=00001 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/datafile/o1_mf_system_n16dxho8_.dbf
input datafile file number=00003 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/datafile/o1_mf_sysaux_n16dxhob_.dbf
input datafile file number=00004 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/datafile/o1_mf_undotbs1_n16dxhom_.dbf
input datafile file number=00009 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/datafile/o1_mf_undotbs2_n16dxhon_.dbf
input datafile file number=00007 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/datafile/o1_mf_users_n16dxhoo_.dbf
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting piece 1 at 07-NOV-25
channel ORA_DISK_1: finished piece 1 at 07-NOV-25
piece handle=/Standby_DB/FRA/STDBY/backupset/2025_11_07/o1_mf_nnnd0_TAG20251107T055853_njv2nxdx_.bkp tag=TAG20251107T055853 comment=NONE
channel ORA_DISK_1: backup set complete, elapsed time: 00:01:15
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting compressed incremental level 0 datafile backup set
channel ORA_DISK_1: specifying datafile(s) in backup set
input datafile file number=00010 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/1476C653214704CFE0635A38A8C08494/datafile/o1_mf_system_n16dz6sq_.dbf
input datafile file number=00011 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/1476C653214704CFE0635A38A8C08494/datafile/o1_mf_sysaux_n16dz6sr_.dbf
input datafile file number=00012 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/1476C653214704CFE0635A38A8C08494/datafile/o1_mf_undotbs1_n16dz6t1_.dbf
input datafile file number=00013 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/1476C653214704CFE0635A38A8C08494/datafile/o1_mf_undo_2_n16dz6t2_.dbf
input datafile file number=00014 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/1476C653214704CFE0635A38A8C08494/datafile/o1_mf_users_n16dz6tc_.dbf
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting piece 1 at 07-NOV-25
channel ORA_DISK_1: finished piece 1 at 07-NOV-25
piece handle=/Standby_DB/FRA/STDBY/1476C653214704CFE0635A38A8C08494/backupset/2025_11_07/o1_mf_nnnd0_TAG20251107T055853_njv2q8kr_.bkp tag=TAG20251107T055853 comment=NONE
channel ORA_DISK_1: backup set complete, elapsed time: 00:00:55
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting compressed incremental level 0 datafile backup set
channel ORA_DISK_1: specifying datafile(s) in backup set
input datafile file number=00060 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/PRDAPPTST/data_D-RACDB_TS-SYSTEM_FNO-60.dbf
input datafile file number=00061 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/PRDAPPTST/data_D-RACDB_TS-SYSAUX_FNO-61.dbf
input datafile file number=00062 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/PRDAPPTST/data_D-RACDB_TS-UNDOTBS1_FNO-62.dbf
input datafile file number=00063 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/PRDAPPTST/data_D-RACDB_TS-UNDO_2_FNO-63.dbf
input datafile file number=00064 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/PRDAPPTST/data_D-RACDB_TS-USERS_FNO-64.dbf
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting piece 1 at 07-NOV-25
channel ORA_DISK_1: finished piece 1 at 07-NOV-25
piece handle=/Standby_DB/FRA/STDBY/38AE431466FE1FDBE0635A38A8C085D8/backupset/2025_11_07/o1_mf_nnnd0_TAG20251107T055853_njv2rzo7_.bkp tag=TAG20251107T055853 comment=NONE
channel ORA_DISK_1: backup set complete, elapsed time: 00:00:55
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting compressed incremental level 0 datafile backup set
channel ORA_DISK_1: specifying datafile(s) in backup set
input datafile file number=00005 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/14769E258FBB5FD8E0635A38A8C09D43/datafile/o1_mf_system_n16f20wr_.dbf
input datafile file number=00006 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/14769E258FBB5FD8E0635A38A8C09D43/datafile/o1_mf_sysaux_n16f20x3_.dbf
input datafile file number=00008 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/14769E258FBB5FD8E0635A38A8C09D43/datafile/o1_mf_undotbs1_n16f20xg_.dbf
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting piece 1 at 07-NOV-25
channel ORA_DISK_1: finished piece 1 at 07-NOV-25
piece handle=/Standby_DB/FRA/STDBY/14769E258FBB5FD8E0635A38A8C09D43/backupset/2025_11_07/o1_mf_nnnd0_TAG20251107T055853_njv2tprh_.bkp tag=TAG20251107T055853 comment=NONE
channel ORA_DISK_1: backup set complete, elapsed time: 00:00:55
Finished backup at 07-NOV-25
Starting Control File and SPFILE Autobackup at 07-NOV-25
piece handle=/Standby_DB/FRA/STDBY/autobackup/2025_11_07/o1_mf_s_1216533563_njv2wg2k_.bkp comment=NONE
Finished Control File and SPFILE Autobackup at 07-NOV-25
RMAN>
RMAN> exit
exit
RMAN Client Diagnostic Trace file : /u01/app/oracle/diag/clients/user_oracle/host_4144547424_110/trace/ora_2133_140607082957312.trc
Recovery Manager complete.
[oracle@stdby trace]$ sqlplus / as sysdba
SQL*Plus: Release 19.0.0.0.0 - Production on Fri Nov 7 06:04:10 2025
Version 19.25.0.0.0
Copyright (c) 1982, 2024, Oracle. All rights reserved.
Connected to:
Oracle Database 19c Enterprise Edition Release 19.0.0.0.0 - Production
Version 19.25.0.0.0
SQL> set pages600 linesize 132
SQL> select database_role, open_mode from v$database
2 /
DATABASE_ROLE OPEN_MODE
---------------- --------------------
PHYSICAL STANDBY MOUNTED
SQL>
SQL> exit
Disconnected from Oracle Database 19c Enterprise Edition Release 19.0.0.0.0 - Production
Version 19.25.0.0.0
[oracle@stdby trace]$
[oracle@stdby trace]$ rman target /
Recovery Manager: Release 19.0.0.0.0 - Production on Fri Nov 7 06:04:55 2025
Version 19.25.0.0.0
Copyright (c) 1982, 2019, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
connected to target database: RACDB (DBID=1162136313, not open)
RMAN> list backup of datafile 1;
list backup of datafile 1;
using target database control file instead of recovery catalog
List of Backup Sets
===================
BS Key Type LV Size Device Type Elapsed Time Completion Time
------- ---- -- ---------- ----------- ------------ ---------------
320 Incr 0 1.08G DISK 00:01:10 07-NOV-25
BP Key: 320 Status: AVAILABLE Compressed: YES Tag: TAG20251107T055853
Piece Name: /Standby_DB/FRA/STDBY/backupset/2025_11_07/o1_mf_nnnd0_TAG20251107T055853_njv2nxdx_.bkp
List of Datafiles in backup set 320
File LV Type Ckp SCN Ckp Time Abs Fuz SCN Sparse Name
---- -- ---- ---------- --------- ----------- ------ ----
1 0 Incr 13423959 07-NOV-25 NO /Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/datafile/o1_mf_system_n16dxho8_.dbf
RMAN>
RMAN> select current_scn from v$database;
select current_scn from v$database;
CURRENT_SCN
-----------
13442704
RMAN>
[oracle@stdby trace]$ sqlplus / as sysdba
SQL*Plus: Release 19.0.0.0.0 - Production on Fri Nov 7 06:07:11 2025
Version 19.25.0.0.0
Copyright (c) 1982, 2024, Oracle. All rights reserved.
Connected to:
Oracle Database 19c Enterprise Edition Release 19.0.0.0.0 - Production
Version 19.25.0.0.0
SQL> select current_scn, database_role, open_mode from v$database;
CURRENT_SCN DATABASE_ROLE OPEN_MODE
----------- ---------------- --------------------
13442704 PHYSICAL STANDBY MOUNTED
SQL> /
CURRENT_SCN DATABASE_ROLE OPEN_MODE
----------- ---------------- --------------------
13443585 PHYSICAL STANDBY MOUNTED
SQL>
SQL> SQL> l
1* select current_scn, database_role, open_mode from v$database
SQL> /
CURRENT_SCN DATABASE_ROLE OPEN_MODE
----------- ---------------- --------------------
13443585 PHYSICAL STANDBY MOUNTED
SQL> /
CURRENT_SCN DATABASE_ROLE OPEN_MODE
----------- ---------------- --------------------
13449819 PHYSICAL STANDBY MOUNTED
SQL> /
CURRENT_SCN DATABASE_ROLE OPEN_MODE
----------- ---------------- --------------------
13449819 PHYSICAL STANDBY MOUNTED
SQL>
[oracle@stdby trace]$ rman target /
Recovery Manager: Release 19.0.0.0.0 - Production on Fri Nov 7 06:10:58 2025
Version 19.25.0.0.0
Copyright (c) 1982, 2019, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
connected to target database: RACDB (DBID=1162136313, not open)
RMAN> backup as compressed backupset incremental level 1 database;
backup as compressed backupset incremental level 1 database;
Starting backup at 07-NOV-25
using target database control file instead of recovery catalog
allocated channel: ORA_DISK_1
channel ORA_DISK_1: SID=219 device type=DISK
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting compressed incremental level 1 datafile backup set
channel ORA_DISK_1: specifying datafile(s) in backup set
input datafile file number=00001 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/datafile/o1_mf_system_n16dxho8_.dbf
input datafile file number=00003 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/datafile/o1_mf_sysaux_n16dxhob_.dbf
input datafile file number=00004 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/datafile/o1_mf_undotbs1_n16dxhom_.dbf
input datafile file number=00009 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/datafile/o1_mf_undotbs2_n16dxhon_.dbf
input datafile file number=00007 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/datafile/o1_mf_users_n16dxhoo_.dbf
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting piece 1 at 07-NOV-25
channel ORA_DISK_1: finished piece 1 at 07-NOV-25
piece handle=/Standby_DB/FRA/STDBY/backupset/2025_11_07/o1_mf_nnnd1_TAG20251107T061125_njv3dg1n_.bkp tag=TAG20251107T061125 comment=NONE
channel ORA_DISK_1: backup set complete, elapsed time: 00:00:07
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting compressed incremental level 1 datafile backup set
channel ORA_DISK_1: specifying datafile(s) in backup set
input datafile file number=00010 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/1476C653214704CFE0635A38A8C08494/datafile/o1_mf_system_n16dz6sq_.dbf
input datafile file number=00011 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/1476C653214704CFE0635A38A8C08494/datafile/o1_mf_sysaux_n16dz6sr_.dbf
input datafile file number=00012 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/1476C653214704CFE0635A38A8C08494/datafile/o1_mf_undotbs1_n16dz6t1_.dbf
input datafile file number=00013 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/1476C653214704CFE0635A38A8C08494/datafile/o1_mf_undo_2_n16dz6t2_.dbf
input datafile file number=00014 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/1476C653214704CFE0635A38A8C08494/datafile/o1_mf_users_n16dz6tc_.dbf
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting piece 1 at 07-NOV-25
channel ORA_DISK_1: finished piece 1 at 07-NOV-25
piece handle=/Standby_DB/FRA/STDBY/1476C653214704CFE0635A38A8C08494/backupset/2025_11_07/o1_mf_nnnd1_TAG20251107T061125_njv3do5w_.bkp tag=TAG20251107T061125 comment=NONE
channel ORA_DISK_1: backup set complete, elapsed time: 00:00:07
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting compressed incremental level 1 datafile backup set
channel ORA_DISK_1: specifying datafile(s) in backup set
input datafile file number=00060 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/PRDAPPTST/data_D-RACDB_TS-SYSTEM_FNO-60.dbf
input datafile file number=00061 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/PRDAPPTST/data_D-RACDB_TS-SYSAUX_FNO-61.dbf
input datafile file number=00062 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/PRDAPPTST/data_D-RACDB_TS-UNDOTBS1_FNO-62.dbf
input datafile file number=00063 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/PRDAPPTST/data_D-RACDB_TS-UNDO_2_FNO-63.dbf
input datafile file number=00064 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/PRDAPPTST/data_D-RACDB_TS-USERS_FNO-64.dbf
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting piece 1 at 07-NOV-25
channel ORA_DISK_1: finished piece 1 at 07-NOV-25
piece handle=/Standby_DB/FRA/STDBY/38AE431466FE1FDBE0635A38A8C085D8/backupset/2025_11_07/o1_mf_nnnd1_TAG20251107T061125_njv3dw8p_.bkp tag=TAG20251107T061125 comment=NONE
channel ORA_DISK_1: backup set complete, elapsed time: 00:00:03
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting compressed incremental level 1 datafile backup set
channel ORA_DISK_1: specifying datafile(s) in backup set
input datafile file number=00005 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/14769E258FBB5FD8E0635A38A8C09D43/datafile/o1_mf_system_n16f20wr_.dbf
skipping datafile 00005 because it has not changed
input datafile file number=00006 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/14769E258FBB5FD8E0635A38A8C09D43/datafile/o1_mf_sysaux_n16f20x3_.dbf
skipping datafile 00006 because it has not changed
input datafile file number=00008 name=/Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/14769E258FBB5FD8E0635A38A8C09D43/datafile/o1_mf_undotbs1_n16f20xg_.dbf
skipping datafile 00008 because it has not changed
channel ORA_DISK_1: backup cancelled because all files were skipped
Finished backup at 07-NOV-25
Starting Control File and SPFILE Autobackup at 07-NOV-25
piece handle=/Standby_DB/FRA/STDBY/autobackup/2025_11_07/o1_mf_s_1216534110_njv3dzjt_.bkp comment=NONE
Finished Control File and SPFILE Autobackup at 07-NOV-25
RMAN>
RMAN> list backup of datafile 1;
list backup of datafile 1;
List of Backup Sets
===================
BS Key Type LV Size Device Type Elapsed Time Completion Time
------- ---- -- ---------- ----------- ------------ ---------------
320 Incr 0 1.08G DISK 00:01:10 07-NOV-25
BP Key: 320 Status: AVAILABLE Compressed: YES Tag: TAG20251107T055853
Piece Name: /Standby_DB/FRA/STDBY/backupset/2025_11_07/o1_mf_nnnd0_TAG20251107T055853_njv2nxdx_.bkp
List of Datafiles in backup set 320
File LV Type Ckp SCN Ckp Time Abs Fuz SCN Sparse Name
---- -- ---- ---------- --------- ----------- ------ ----
1 0 Incr 13423959 07-NOV-25 NO /Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/datafile/o1_mf_system_n16dxho8_.dbf
BS Key Type LV Size Device Type Elapsed Time Completion Time
------- ---- -- ---------- ----------- ------------ ---------------
325 Incr 1 2.93M DISK 00:00:05 07-NOV-25
BP Key: 325 Status: AVAILABLE Compressed: YES Tag: TAG20251107T061125
Piece Name: /Standby_DB/FRA/STDBY/backupset/2025_11_07/o1_mf_nnnd1_TAG20251107T061125_njv3dg1n_.bkp
List of Datafiles in backup set 325
File LV Type Ckp SCN Ckp Time Abs Fuz SCN Sparse Name
---- -- ---- ---------- --------- ----------- ------ ----
1 1 Incr 13449820 07-NOV-25 NO /Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/datafile/o1_mf_system_n16dxho8_.dbf
RMAN>
RMAN> exit
exit
Recovery Manager complete.
[oracle@stdby trace]$ export NLS_DATE_FORMAT=DD_MON_RR_HH24_MI
[oracle@stdby trace]$ rman target /
Recovery Manager: Release 19.0.0.0.0 - Production on Fri Nov 7 06:15:24 2025
Version 19.25.0.0.0
Copyright (c) 1982, 2019, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
connected to target database: RACDB (DBID=1162136313, not open)
RMAN> list backup of datafile 1;
list backup of datafile 1;
using target database control file instead of recovery catalog
List of Backup Sets
===================
BS Key Type LV Size Device Type Elapsed Time Completion Time
------- ---- -- ---------- ----------- ------------ ---------------
320 Incr 0 1.08G DISK 00:01:10 07_NOV_25_06_00
BP Key: 320 Status: AVAILABLE Compressed: YES Tag: TAG20251107T055853
Piece Name: /Standby_DB/FRA/STDBY/backupset/2025_11_07/o1_mf_nnnd0_TAG20251107T055853_njv2nxdx_.bkp
List of Datafiles in backup set 320
File LV Type Ckp SCN Ckp Time Abs Fuz SCN Sparse Name
---- -- ---- ---------- --------------- ----------- ------ ----
1 0 Incr 13423959 07_NOV_25_05_56 NO /Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/datafile/o1_mf_system_n16dxho8_.dbf
BS Key Type LV Size Device Type Elapsed Time Completion Time
------- ---- -- ---------- ----------- ------------ ---------------
325 Incr 1 2.93M DISK 00:00:05 07_NOV_25_06_11
BP Key: 325 Status: AVAILABLE Compressed: YES Tag: TAG20251107T061125
Piece Name: /Standby_DB/FRA/STDBY/backupset/2025_11_07/o1_mf_nnnd1_TAG20251107T061125_njv3dg1n_.bkp
List of Datafiles in backup set 325
File LV Type Ckp SCN Ckp Time Abs Fuz SCN Sparse Name
---- -- ---- ---------- --------------- ----------- ------ ----
1 1 Incr 13449820 07_NOV_25_06_08 NO /Standby_DB/oradata/STDBY/datafile/o1_mf_system_n16dxho8_.dbf
RMAN>
After the Level-0 Backup I waited for some time to confirm that the SCN at the Standby had advanced.
Then, I ran an Level-1 Backup.
The final listing shows two backups of datafile 1, the first being a Level-0 backup at SCN 13423959 at 05:56 of 07-Nov and the second being a Level-1 backup at SCN 13449820 at 06:08 of 07-Nov/
Of course, I *must* backup ArchiveLogs at the Standby.
Note : Oracle's recommendation is to use an RMAN Catalog when running Database Backups.