The RMAN repository

The RMAN repository stores information that RMAN needs to operate.

In particular, the repository consists of the following information:

• Backup sets and pieces
• Image copies (including archived redo logs)
• Proxy copies
• The target database schema or schemas (it can manage multiple target databases).
• Persistent configuration settings

The RMAN repository is always stored in the control files of the target database. The parameter control_file_record_keep_time specifies how long the relevant information is stored.

Optionally, it can additionally be stored in a special schema called the recovery catalog.

If the RMAN repository is stored in a recovery catalog, it should be stored in its own database as it will be necessary to use this catalog to restore a database.

The recovery catalog can also store scripts (which is not possible with the repository data stored in control files.