Computing works through data, lots of it. But every piece of data is crucial to make a complicated system work. Therefore, guarding data is one of the most important jobs that any system must include in its agenda. Disaster can strike any time and in a lot of forms. Natural disasters, security infiltration and even down time losses can inflict serious damages and unforeseen complications to a system.
Prior to data guard, systems use standby database as recovery option. A standby database is a database replica cloned from a backup of a primary database. This simple method has a lot of drawbacks, and these include not having high availability.
Oracle Data Guard is one of the most effective data guarding systems. It guarantees high availability, data protection and even data monitoring to ensure the ‘health’ of your database. It has three protection modes:
- Maximum Availability
- Maximum Protection
- Maximum Performance
Maximum Protection mode ensures that there will be zero data loss when a primary fails. If standby is unavailable, processing is stopped at primary. This ensures the highest level of protection. Oracle Data Guard has set Maximum Performance as its default. Maximum Performance Mode is the highest level of data protection that can be provided without affecting the performance of a primary database.
Maximum Availability Mode, on the other hand, provides highest level of data protection without risking the availability of the primary database.
What are the prerequisites of Oracle Data Guard?
- A similar Oracle Enterprise Edition.
- The primary database is required to run in ARCHIVELOG mode.
- FORCE LOGGING must be set as primary.
- User accounts must have SYSDBA privileges.
- The primary and standby database must have their own independent control file.
The numerous benefits, features and more
After installing Oracle Data Guard, you may enjoy its numerous benefits. First, you are ensured a total data protection, which includes high availability and recovery. Second, you are given the advantage of a smoother data management because of Data Guard’s smart use of system resources. Third, there is automatic data gap detection and an immediate resolution of issues. Fourth, transitions between roles are automatic. Fifth, the management of the application is simple and centralized. These are just the basics that Oracle Data Guard can offer.
One of Oracle Data Guard’s most striking features is its use of Redo Apply technology. It applies change using low-level recovery methods. This technology is very useful for applying high volumes of redo. Another nifty feature is the Oracle Recovery Manager (RMAN). This feature is used to off-load backups from the primary database, which saves CPU and I/O cycles. This does not only make the program less bulky than the others. It also has practical longevity especially if you plan to use it 24/7.
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Photo by Oracle.
