• disk : Database backups/archiving to disk.

The directory(-ies) that should be used for the backups/archiving is(are) defined in parameter backup_root_dir (possibly in archive_copy_dir ).

• tape : Use one or more local tape devices.
• pipe : Backup to a remote system using the commands entered in the profile parameters remote_host, remote_user, copy_in_cmd, and copy_out_cmd. All the functions that are available for a local backup on tape are also available here.
• tape_auto : Use of a local tape device with a tape changer. The prompts for changing the volumes are suppressed.
• pipe_auto : Use of a tape device with a tape changer on a remote system. The prompts for changing the volumes are suppressed. When you use this parameter specification, do not forget to set the parameters copy_in_cmd , copy_out_cmd , remote_host and remote_user appropriately.

The parameters tape_auto and pipe_auto generally have no effect on BRARCHIVE, since that program does not support continuation tapes.

• tape_box : Use of jukeboxes and autoloader. The accompanying tape devices must be locally accessible.
• pipe_box : Use of jukeboxes and autoloader. The accompanying tape devices must be remotely accessible ( remote_host , remote_user )

In both cases the drivers defined in the parameter tape_address or tape_address_arch are used for the data transfer ( cpio, dd ) . For the rewind those defined in the parameter tape_address_rew or tape_address_rew _ are used.

• disk_copy : Copying of database files to a disk with an identical directory structure. The name of the new Oracle_Home directory is defined in the parameter new_db_home . See Structure Retaining Database Copy.

• disk_standby : Copying of database files to a disk with an identical directory structure (compare disk_copy ). To let you construct a standby database, a standby control file is generated and copied. See Standby Database Configuration.

• util_file : Backup or restore is carried out file-by-file using the backup program specified by the BACKINT interface program

• util_file_online : (if supported by the manufacturer of the external backup program) backup or restoration is made file-by-file using an external backup program addressed by the BACKINT interface. The backup status is also set and ended dynamically for the tablespaces to be saved in an online backup.

The parameter util_file allows you to use other storage media (e.g. optical media), provided the supplier provides corresponding backup programs and a BACKINT interface. In such cases, the SAP utilities can call the external backup program for the physical backup or restore of the corresponding files. If parameter util_file_online is used, the volume of offline redo log files is also drastically reduced during an online backup. See Using External Backup Programs.

Ask the supplier of the non-SAP backup programs and the interface BACKINT for any additionally required parameters for the backup program call. If necessary, store this information in an appropriately maintained parameter file, which you should also enter in the parameter util_par_file or the command option -r|-parfile of the SAP utilities.

• stage : Backup to a remote disk. This can be used for standard backups with BRBACKUP, for incremental backups while using the RMAN functions. See Backup to a Remote Disk
• stage_copy : Copying of database files to a remote disk with an identical directory structure. The name of the new Oracle_Home directory is defined in the parameter new_db_home .
• stage_standby: Copying of database files to a remote disk with an identical directory structure (compare disk_copy ). To let you construct a standby database, a standby control file is generated and copied.
• rman_prep : The best distribution of the files to savesets is determined before a RMAN backup to tape with file multiplexing.
  See: Saveset Grouping and Tape Layout
• rman_util : RMAN backup in combination with a backup library and the backup tool of another manufacturer. BACKINT integrates the external backup tool.
  See: Backups with External Backup Libraries