Which three tasks can be performed using a duplicate database? (Choose three.)
A.
Testing the backup and recovery procedures
B.
Testing the upgrade of an Oracle database to a new release
C.
Testing the effect of an application changes on database performance
D.
Continuously updating archive log files from the target database to support failover
Yes the correct answers are A, B and C
because D would require the use of “Oracle Data Guard”
After further consideration I would like to change my opinion here.
Firstly this question is very vague, so I don’t think it would be used in the exam.
The correct answer is B and C only.
Discussing answer A,
In my opinion DUPLICATE is not a test of “restore and recovery”, this is like comparing apples and oranges, they are just not similar enough.
Discussing answers B and C
I think that the DUPLICATE command could be used to create a test database, which could be used for these tests.
Discussing answer D
The DUPLICATE command can be used for the creation of a standby database (i.e. Oracle Dataguard) see …
http://oracle.su/docs/11g/server.112/e10700/rcmbackp.htm#i637825
however it cannot be used to “Continuously updating archive log files from the target database to support failover”
Also look at
http://oracle.su/docs/11g/backup.112/e10642/rcmdupdb.htm#i1008564
where it says …
The DUPLICATE command can create a fully functional copy of your database or a physical standby database, which serves a very different purpose. A standby database is a copy of the primary database that you update continually with archived log files from the primary database. If the primary database is inaccessible, then you can fail over to the standby database, which becomes the new primary database. A database copy, however, cannot be used in this way: it is not intended for failover scenarios and does not support the various standby recovery and failover options.
Also look at …
http://oracle.su/docs/11g/backup.112/e10642/rcmdupdb.htm#CHDJJBCF
Just under the title “How RMAN Duplicates a Database” it says …
RMAN must perform database point-in-time recovery, even when no explicit point in time is provided for duplication. Point-in-time recover is required because the online redo log files in the source database are not backed up and cannot be applied to the duplicate database. The farthest point of recovery of the duplicate database is the most recent redo log file archived by the source database.
OK, now I am back to A, B and C (sorry for the run around)
because D would require the use of “Oracle Data Guard”