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This parameter defines the command used to copy database files (not to raw devices) and non-database files from disk to tape.

tape_copy_cmd = cpio|dd|rman|rman_dd|
cpio_gnu|dd_gnu|rman_gnu|rman_dd_gnu|
brtools|rman_brt

Default value: cpio

Possible values:

  • cpio: copies data with the cpio command

  • dd: copies data is copied with the dd command

  • rman: performs backup with Oracle Recovery Manager. Data is copied by SAP backup library directly to tape.

  • rman_dd: Backup with Oracle Recovery Manager. Data is copied by SAP backup library piped through dd command to tape.

  • brtools: copies data with the brtools program (only on Windows)

Note

The suffix gnu indicates that the GNU command syntax is used to copy files. On some platforms, GNU tools offer better performance.

The suffix brt indicates that the brtools program is used to copy non-data files that cannot be copied by RMAN.

For more information on rman and rman_dd, see RMAN Backup with the SAP Backup Library.

This parameter does not affect either raw devices (they are always copied with dd) or directories (they are always copied with cpio). Tape header files (tape file label, init_ora, init_sap) and tape end files ( space_log, det_log, sum_log) are always written with cpio. With tape_copy_cmd = brtools, all these files are copied by the brtools program (except raw devices, which are not available on Windows).

The use of dd commands to back up the database can improve performance and so reduce the backup time.

Caution

The dd command reports an I/O error on UNIX platforms when it reaches the physical end of the tape. Do not confuse this message with the same message for hardware problems.

Check whether the end of the tape was really reached, taking the tape capacity into consideration. Reduce the value of parameter tape_size in this case.

However, if you suspect a hardware problem, start the same backup to the same tape with tape_copy_cmd = cpio to identify the situation.

Note

If you set the parameter tape_copy_cmd = dd, we recommend that you set parameters dd_flags and dd_in_flags as follows:

  • UNIX

    dd_flags = "obs=xk bs=xk"

    dd_in_flags = "ibs=xk bs=xk"

  • Windows

    dd_flags = "bs=xk"

    dd_in_flags = "bs=xk"

    where x >=16

    The dd options obs and ibs are not supported on Windows.