RMAN command: backup

Backup sets or copies

The RMAN backup command creates either

An image copy is created with

backup AS COPY databaes

Note: image copies cannot be written into a backup set. Thus, when creating an image copy, the default device type must be disk.

Use a non default device type (which might be configured with configure default device type)

backup DEVICE TYPE SBT  database;
backup DEVICE TYPE DISK database;