Oracle RMAN List Backup of Database Command

calendar Feb 8, 2026 / · 4 min read · Oracle RMAN Database Backup Recovery Manager DBA Commands Backup Verification Oracle Database Database Administration Backup Management  ·
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Oracle RMAN List Backup of Database Command

Purpose

The LIST BACKUP OF DATABASE command is an Oracle Recovery Manager (RMAN) utility that displays all existing database backups stored in the RMAN repository. This command helps database administrators verify backup availability, review backup history, and plan recovery operations by providing detailed information about all datafile backups for the target database.

Code

1list backup of database;

Breakdown of Code

The command consists of three main components that work together to query the RMAN repository:

  • LIST: The primary RMAN command that queries and displays backup metadata from the repository
  • BACKUP: Specifies that you want to see backup sets rather than other repository objects like copies or archived logs
  • OF DATABASE: Filters the output to show only backups that include database datafiles, excluding archived logs, control files, or individual tablespace backups

How It Works

When you execute this command at the RMAN prompt, it connects to the RMAN repository and retrieves all backup records for database datafiles. The repository can be stored either in the target database control file or in a separate recovery catalog database. The command displays comprehensive information including backup keys, backup types, completion status, device types, and backup sizes for each recorded database backup.

Key Points

  • Repository requirement: RMAN must be connected to a target database, and if no recovery catalog exists, the target database must be mounted or open
  • Scope specificity: This command shows only database datafile backups and excludes archived log backups, control file backups, and server parameter file backups
  • Backup verification: The output includes status indicators showing whether backups are available (A), unavailable (U), or expired (X)
  • Level information: The display shows backup levels including full backups (0), incremental level 1 backups (1), and identifies backup set types

Output Information

The command provides several important columns in its output:

  • Key: A unique identifier for each backup set in the repository
  • TY: Type of backup (B for backup set, P for proxy copy)
  • LV: Backup level (0 for full backup, 1 for incremental backup, F for full control file)
  • S: Status indicating availability (A), unavailability (U), or expiration (X)
  • Device Type: Storage location such as DISK or SBT_TAPE
  • Completion Time: When the backup finished
  • Backup Size: Total size of the backup set

Common Use Cases

Database administrators use this command for several important tasks:

  • Verifying that scheduled database backups completed successfully
  • Planning restore operations by identifying available backup sets
  • Auditing backup retention policies and identifying expired backups
  • Troubleshooting backup issues by reviewing historical backup records
  • Documenting backup coverage before performing major database changes

RMAN provides several variations of the LIST command for different purposes:

  • LIST BACKUP; - Shows all backups including database, archived logs, and control files
  • LIST BACKUP OF DATAFILE n; - Displays backups for a specific datafile number
  • LIST BACKUP OF TABLESPACE tablespace_name; - Shows backups for a specific tablespace
  • LIST BACKUP OF ARCHIVELOG ALL; - Lists all archived log backups
  • LIST BACKUP SUMMARY; - Provides a condensed summary view of all backups

Best Practices

When working with this command, database administrators should follow these guidelines:

  • Run this command regularly to verify backup availability before performing maintenance
  • Use the SUMMARY option (LIST BACKUP OF DATABASE SUMMARY;) for quick status checks without detailed output
  • Combine with time filters like COMPLETED AFTER 'SYSDATE-7' to focus on recent backups
  • Document backup keys from the output when planning specific restore operations
  • Verify that backup status shows 'A' (available) for backups you plan to use for recovery

Insights

The LIST BACKUP OF DATABASE command is essential for maintaining confidence in your Oracle database backup strategy. Unlike viewing backup files directly in the operating system, this command shows you exactly what RMAN recognizes as valid, restorable backups in its repository. This distinction is important because RMAN may not recognize backup files that were moved, renamed, or created outside of RMAN control.

The command also helps identify backup coverage gaps that could impact recovery objectives. By reviewing the completion times and backup levels, administrators can ensure that full and incremental backup schedules align with business requirements for recovery point objectives (RPO) and recovery time objectives (RTO).

References

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