SAP Oracle System Refresh from PRD to QAS while PRD is running. Short Notes

Three Important notes

First - The below is assuming that you are performing system refresh while PRD system is still running and you do not want to stop the system or can't point to tape backup of online
database backup performed on PRD to QAS server.

Second -  Important note would be to READ step 1 to 16 first !!!! before starting step 1. or maybe read step 15!!

Third -  I would consider this as a short note as by explanation its very descriptive in nature that a 1.5yrs basis whom have experience in Oracle and SAP should able to grasp the idea.


1. Issue the below command in PRD system

sqlplus "/as sysdba"

alter database begin backup;

commit;

Additional info : You may issue " select * from v$backup to see if the content is active"

2. Perform the below on PRD system

alter database backup controlfile to trace;

3. Copy the PRD sapdata files and redo log files to QAS system location ( assuming sapdata1-4 in PRD is in G and QAS also G drive)

4. Once copying sapdata1-4 completed

sqlplus "/as sysdba"

alter database end backup;

commit;

5. Now copy the trace file performed in step 2 to QAS.

6. Edit the trace file and use the second part control script and change the REUSE to SET and remove all other entries and save it as control.sql

7. Login in QAS and now execute as below assuming the control.sql is being saved in C:\ drive

sqlplus "/as sysdba"
@control.sql

8. During Step 1, 3 and 4, we need to make note the -20 ( to be save )  archive logs generated before step 1 and + 20 archive logs generated after step 4.

9. Copy over the logs to QAS system oraarch directory

10. Now assuming we continue from step 7. Issue the command below, this will apply all the logs generated during the copy in step 3. You may enter cancel on the file log request.

alter database recover database using backup controlfile;

11. Now you may perform the below

alter database open resetlogs;

12. Now you may stop and start Oracle as normal assuming step 11 does not ask for any more archive logs from production.

13. In step 2 where the trace file created, right at 2nd part of control script, there's a create PSAPTEMP datafiles in reuse state. If you notice 2-3 just execute the script in QAS.

14. Stop and Start Oracle, if there's no issue consider technical part of system refresh from PRD to QAS completed.

15. Now you may proceed with Post activities which are those standards stuffs such as pre-requisite performed before step1, such as printer, bdls run, stop all prd jobs, backups, etc, etc.

16. Step 15 will take 16-26hrs based on system size and its resources.

Hope you have enjoyed.