Duplicate Database Using FROM ACTIVE DATABASE clause 11gR2

I was asked to duplicate a production database on a new server and as it was on 11gR2, it was time to use the best available option i.e., using from active database clause.After doing a successful duplication i thought of putting it on blog as i observed and encountered few things which i wanted to share. This duplication is done on my laptop, so few things are different , which i would mention as an when required.I will be using the below 2 terms Source (Production DB) > MATRIX Target (To be Duplicated) > ORCL The rman command may create little confusion, as TARGET would be MATRIX.Rest every where Target server/db would mean ORCL. 1. Edited the TNSNAMES.ora and the LISTENER.ora file to have the below entry ===================================================================== =====
TNSNAMES.ora ============== MATRIX = (DESCRIPTION = (ADDRESS_LIST = (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = ANANPRAK-LAP) (PORT=1521)) ) (CONNECT_DATA = (SERVICE_NAME = MATRIX ) ) ) ORCL = (DESCRIPTION = (ADDRESS_LIST = (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = ANANPRAK-LAP) (PORT=1521)) ) (CONNECT_DATA = (SERVICE_NAME = ORCL) ) ) LISTENER.ora ============= Added the below in SID_LIST_LISTENER (SID_DESC = (GLOBAL_DBNAME = MATRIX)

(ORACLE_HOME = D:\oracle\app\product\11.2.0\dbhome_1) (SID_NAME = MATRIX) ) (SID_DESC = (GLOBAL_DBNAME = ORCL) (ORACLE_HOME = D:\oracle\app\product\11.2.0\dbhome_1) (SID_NAME = ORCL) )

The TNS entry of both the database must be present in TNSNAMES.ora file on both the servers.If the TNS entry is not present on the source (MATRIX) server, the duplicate command would fail with ORA-12154: TNS:could not resolve the connect identifier specified. 2. Check pre-requisites and change the required parameter on Primary database ===================================================================== ====== The production(source) database must be in archivelog mode.No datafile must be in OFFLINE status.If datafile is in OFFLINE status you get the below error while rman duplicate run
RMAN-03002: failure of Duplicate Db command at 01/15/2011 23:32:52 RMAN-03015: error occurred in stored script Memory Script RMAN-06056: could not access datafile 8

3. Create INIT file, Password file and as it is on windows, create a new Instance service using ORADIM utility. ===================================================================== =========================== i) Created the INITorcl.ora file with only one parameter
*.db_name='ORCL'

ii) Create a new instance using ORADIM utility

D:\scripts>oradim -new -sid ORCL -pfile D:\oracle\app\product\11.2.0\dbhome_1\database\INITorcl.ORA Instance created.

D:\scripts> iii) Create the Password file using ORAPWD utility.It would be used for connecting with sys user using as auxiliary D:\scripts>orapwd file=D:\oracle\app\product\11.2.0\dbhome_1\database\PWDORCL.ora entries=2 password=sys123 SYS user password must be the same.If not you will receive the below error

RMAN-03002: failure of Duplicate Db command at 19/01/2011 23:10:26 RMAN-03015: error occurred in stored script Memory Script RMAN-03009: failure of backup command on C1 channel at 19/01/2011 23:10:26 ORA-17629: Cannot connect to the remote database server ORA-17627: ORA-01017: invalid username/password; logon denied ORA-17629: Cannot connect to the remote database server

iv) Create the directories on the target (ORCL) for datafiles,redo logfiles,archivelogs.In my case i created folder D:\oracle\app\oradata\ORCL 4. Startup nomount ORCL instance using the pfile ====================================================
D:\>set oracle_sid=ORCL D:\>sqlplus sys/sys123 as sysdba SQL*Plus: Release 11.2.0.1.0 Production on Sat Jan 19 23:13:59 2011 Copyright (c) 1982, 2010, Oracle. Connected to an idle instance. 23:13:59 SYS@ORCL> startup nomount ORACLE instance started. Total System Global Area Fixed Size Variable Size Database Buffers Redo Buffers 23:14:22 SYS@ORCL> 150667264 1373152 92277792 50331648 6684672 bytes bytes bytes bytes bytes All rights reserved.

The moment instance started, ADR directory for ORCL got created D:\oracle\app\diag\rdbms\orcl\orcl\trace.
23:16:26 SYS@ORCL> show parameter diag NAME TYPE VALUE ------------------------------------ ----------- -------------diagnostic_dest string D:\ORACLE\APP 23:16:29 SYS@ORCL> show parameter db_name NAME TYPE VALUE ------------------------------------ ----------- -------------db_name string ORCL 23:16:46 SYS@ORCL>

5. Invoke the RMAN to create duplicate database ====================================================

D:\>rman target sys/sys123@matrix auxiliary sys/sys123@orcl

Recovery Manager: Release 11.2.0.1.0 - Production on Sun Jan 20 00:13:32 2011 Copyright (c) 1982, 2009, Oracle and/or its affiliates. connected to target database: MATRIX (DBID=2278859282) connected to auxiliary database: ORCL (not mounted) RMAN> run { 2> allocate channel C1 type disk; 3> allocate auxiliary channel DUP type disk; 4> duplicate target database 5> to ORCL 6> from active database 7> spfile 8> SET MEMORY_TARGET="270M" 9> set db_unique_name='ORCL' 10> set db_file_name_convert='D:\oracle\app\oradata\MATRIX','D:\oracle\app\oradata\OR CL' 11> set log_file_name_convert='D:\oracle\app\oradata\MATRIX','D:\oracle\app\oradata\O RCL' 12> set control_files='D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\control01.ctl','D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADA TA\ORCL\control02.ctl' 13> set log_archive_max_processes='5' 14> set log_archive_dest_1='LOCATION=D:\oracle\app\admin\ORCL\archive VALID_FOR=(ALL_LOGFILES,ALL_ROLES) DB_UNIQUE_NAME=orcl' 15> ; 16> } All rights reserved.

Below is the memory script contents.Few important points are highlighted.

using target database control file instead of recovery catalog allocated channel: C1 channel C1: SID=13 device type=DISK allocated channel: DUP channel DUP: SID=135 device type=DISK Starting Duplicate Db at 20-JAN-11 contents of Memory Script: { backup as copy reuse targetfile 'D:\ORACLE\APP\PRODUCT\11.2.0\DBHOME_1\DATABASE\SPFILEMATRIX.ORA' auxiliary format 'D:\ORACLE\APP\PRODUCT\11.2.0\DBHOME_1\DATABASE\SPFILEORCL.ORA' ; sql clone "alter system set spfile= ''D:\ORACLE\APP\PRODUCT\11.2.0\DBHOME_1\DATABASE\SPFILEORCL.ORA''"; } executing Memory Script Starting backup at 20-JAN-11 Finished backup at 20-JAN-11

sql statement: alter system set spfile= ''D:\ORACLE\APP\PRODUCT\11.2.0\DBHOME_1\DATABASE\SPFILEORCL.ORA'' contents of Memory Script: { sql clone "alter system set db_name = ''ORCL'' comment= ''duplicate'' scope=spfile"; sql clone "alter system set MEMORY_TARGET = 270M comment= '''' scope=spfile"; sql clone "alter system set db_unique_name = ''ORCL'' comment= '''' scope=spfile"; sql clone "alter system set db_file_name_convert = ''D:\oracle\app\oradata\MATRIX'', ''D:\oracle\app\oradata\ORCL'' comment= '''' scope=spfile"; sql clone "alter system set log_file_name_convert = ''D:\oracle\app\oradata\MATRIX'', ''D:\oracle\app\oradata\ORCL'' comment= '''' scope=spfile"; sql clone "alter system set control_files = ''D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\control01.ctl'', ''D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\control02.ctl'' comment= '''' scope=spfile"; sql clone "alter system set log_archive_max_processes = 5 comment= '''' scope=spfile"; sql clone "alter system set log_archive_dest_1 = ''LOCATION=D:\oracle\app\admin\ORCL\archive VALID_FOR=(ALL_LOGFILES,ALL_ROLES) DB_UNIQUE_NAME=orcl'' comment= '''' scope=spfile"; shutdown clone immediate; startup clone nomount; } executing Memory Script sql statement: alter system set scope=spfile sql statement: alter system set scope=spfile sql statement: alter system set scope=spfile db_name = ''ORCL'' comment= ''duplicate'' 270M comment= '''' ''ORCL'' comment= ''''

MEMORY_TARGET = db_unique_name =

sql statement: alter system set db_file_name_convert = ''D:\oracle\app\oradata\MATRIX'', ''D:\oracle\app\oradata\ORCL'' comment= '''' scope=spfile sql statement: alter system set log_file_name_convert = ''D:\oracle\app\oradata\MATRIX'', ''D:\oracle\app\oradata\ORCL'' comment= '''' scope=spfile sql statement: alter system set control_files = ''D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\control01.ctl'', ''D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\control02.ctl'' comment= '''' scope=spfile

sql statement: alter system set scope=spfile

log_archive_max_processes =

5 comment= ''''

sql statement: alter system set log_archive_dest_1 = ''LOCATION=D:\oracle\app\admin\ORCL\archive VALID_FOR=(ALL_LOGFILES,ALL_ROLES) DB_UNIQUE_NAME=orcl'' comment= '''' scope=spfile Oracle instance shut down connected to auxiliary database (not started) Oracle instance started Total System Global Area 267825152 bytes bytes bytes bytes bytes

Fixed Size 1373996 Variable Size 92276948 Database Buffers 167772160 Redo Buffers 6402048 allocated channel: DUP channel DUP: SID=63 device type=DISK

contents of Memory Script: { sql clone "alter system set db_name = ''MATRIX'' comment= ''Modified by RMAN duplicate'' scope=spfile"; sql clone "alter system set db_unique_name = ''ORCL'' comment= ''Modified by RMAN duplicate'' scope=spfile"; shutdown clone immediate; startup clone force nomount backup as copy current controlfile auxiliary format 'D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\CONTROL01.CTL'; restore clone controlfile to 'D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\CONTROL02.CTL' from 'D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\CONTROL01.CTL'; alter clone database mount; } executing Memory Script sql statement: alter system set RMAN duplicate'' scope=spfile db_name = ''MATRIX'' comment= ''Modified by ''ORCL'' comment=

sql statement: alter system set db_unique_name = ''Modified by RMAN duplicate'' scope=spfile Oracle instance shut down Oracle instance started Total System Global Area Fixed Size Variable Size Database Buffers 267825152 bytes 1373996 bytes 92276948 bytes 167772160 bytes

Redo Buffers

6402048 bytes

*NOTE --> In case, you get some error at this point please remember db_name has changed to "MATRIX" now.The instance will be up, but the database name would be 'MATRIX'.So, before restarting the rman, make sure you change the db_name back to what you wanted (in my case ORCL) or delete the spfile.* allocated channel: DUP channel DUP: SID=63 device type=DISK Starting backup at 20-JAN-11 channel C1: starting datafile copy copying current control file output file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\PRODUCT\11.2.0\DBHOME_1\DATABASE\SNCFMATRIX.ORA tag=TAG20110116T001414 RECID=7 STAMP=740535255 channel C1: datafile copy complete, elapsed time: 00:00:03 Finished backup at 20-JAN-11 Starting restore at 20-JAN-11 channel DUP: copied control file copy Finished restore at 20-JAN-11 database mounted contents of Memory Script: { set newname for datafile 1 to "D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\SYSTEM01.DBF"; set newname for datafile 2 to "D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\SYSAUX01.DBF"; set newname for datafile 3 to "D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\UNDOTBS01.DBF"; set newname for datafile 4 to "D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\USERS01.DBF"; set newname for datafile 5 to "D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\EXAMPLE01.DBF"; set newname for datafile 6 to "D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\TEST_01.DBF"; set newname for datafile 7 to "D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\TEST_02.DBF"; backup as copy reuse datafile 1 auxiliary format "D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\SYSTEM01.DBF" datafile 2 auxiliary format "D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\SYSAUX01.DBF" datafile 3 auxiliary format "D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\UNDOTBS01.DBF" datafile 4 auxiliary format "D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\USERS01.DBF" datafile 5 auxiliary format "D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\EXAMPLE01.DBF" datafile 6 auxiliary format "D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\TEST_01.DBF" datafile 7 auxiliary format "D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\TEST_02.DBF" ;

sql 'alter system archive log current'; } executing Memory Script executing command: SET NEWNAME executing command: SET NEWNAME executing command: SET NEWNAME executing command: SET NEWNAME executing command: SET NEWNAME executing command: SET NEWNAME executing command: SET NEWNAME Starting backup at 20-JAN-11 channel C1: starting datafile copy input datafile file number=00001 name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\MATRIX\SYSTEM01.DBF output file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\SYSTEM01.DBF tag=TAG20110116T001425 channel C1: datafile copy complete, elapsed time: 00:00:45 channel C1: starting datafile copy input datafile file number=00002 name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\MATRIX\SYSAUX01.DBF output file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\SYSAUX01.DBF tag=TAG20110116T001425 channel C1: datafile copy complete, elapsed time: 00:00:25 channel C1: starting datafile copy input datafile file number=00006 name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\MATRIX\TEST_01.DBF output file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\TEST_01.DBF tag=TAG20110116T001425 channel C1: datafile copy complete, elapsed time: 00:00:25 channel C1: starting datafile copy input datafile file number=00007 name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\MATRIX\TEST_02.DBF output file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\TEST_02.DBF tag=TAG20110116T001425 channel C1: datafile copy complete, elapsed time: 00:00:25 channel C1: starting datafile copy input datafile file number=00005 name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\MATRIX\EXAMPLE01.DBF output file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\EXAMPLE01.DBF tag=TAG20110116T001425 channel C1: datafile copy complete, elapsed time: 00:00:07 channel C1: starting datafile copy input datafile file number=00003 name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\MATRIX\UNDOTBS01.DBF output file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\UNDOTBS01.DBF tag=TAG20110116T001425 channel C1: datafile copy complete, elapsed time: 00:00:03 channel C1: starting datafile copy

input datafile file number=00004 name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\MATRIX\USERS01.DBF output file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\USERS01.DBF tag=TAG20110116T001425 channel C1: datafile copy complete, elapsed time: 00:00:01 Finished backup at 20-JAN-11 sql statement: alter system archive log current contents of Memory Script: { backup as copy reuse archivelog like "D:\ORACLE\APP\ADMIN\MATRIX\ARCHIVE\ARC0000000207_0738534549.0001" auxiliary format "D:\ORACLE\APP\ADMIN\ORCL\ARCHIVE\ARC0000000207_0738534549.0001" ; catalog clone archivelog "D:\ORACLE\APP\ADMIN\ORCL\ARCHIVE\ARC0000000207_0738534549.0001"; switch clone datafile all; } executing Memory Script Starting backup at 20-JAN-11 channel C1: starting archived log copy input archived log thread=1 sequence=207 RECID=362 STAMP=740535400 output file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ADMIN\ORCL\ARCHIVE\ARC0000000207_0738534549.0001 RECID=0 STAMP=0 channel C1: archived log copy complete, elapsed time: 00:00:03 Finished backup at 20-JAN-11 cataloged archived log archived log file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ADMIN\ORCL\ARCHIVE\ARC0000000207_0738534549.0001 RECID=362 STAMP=740535405 datafile 1 switched to datafile copy input datafile copy RECID=7 STAMP=740535406 file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\SYSTEM01.DBF datafile 2 switched to datafile copy input datafile copy RECID=8 STAMP=740535406 file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\SYSAUX01.DBF datafile 3 switched to datafile copy input datafile copy RECID=9 STAMP=740535406 file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\UNDOTBS01.DBF datafile 4 switched to datafile copy input datafile copy RECID=10 STAMP=740535406 file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\USERS01.DBF datafile 5 switched to datafile copy input datafile copy RECID=11 STAMP=740535406 file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\EXAMPLE01.DBF datafile 6 switched to datafile copy input datafile copy RECID=12 STAMP=740535406 file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\TEST_01.DBF datafile 7 switched to datafile copy input datafile copy RECID=13 STAMP=740535406 file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\TEST_02.DBF

contents of Memory Script: { set until scn 2547410; recover clone database delete archivelog ; } executing Memory Script executing command: SET until clause Starting recover at 20-JAN-11 starting media recovery archived log for thread 1 with sequence 207 is already on disk as file D:\ORACLE\APP\ADMIN\ORCL\ARCHIVE\ARC0000000207_0738534549.0001 archived log file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ADMIN\ORCL\ARCHIVE\ARC0000000207_0738534549.0001 thread=1 sequence=207 media recovery complete, elapsed time: 00:00:02 Finished recover at 20-JAN-11 contents of Memory Script: { shutdown clone immediate; startup clone nomount; sql clone "alter system set db_name = ''ORCL'' comment= ''Reset to original value by RMAN'' scope=spfile"; sql clone "alter system reset db_unique_name scope=spfile"; shutdown clone immediate; startup clone nomount; } executing Memory Script database dismounted Oracle instance shut down connected to auxiliary database (not started) Oracle instance started Total System Global Area 267825152 bytes bytes bytes bytes bytes

Fixed Size 1373996 Variable Size 104859860 Database Buffers 155189248 Redo Buffers 6402048 allocated channel: DUP channel DUP: SID=63 device type=DISK

sql statement: alter system set db_name = original value by RMAN'' scope=spfile

''ORCL'' comment= ''Reset to

*NOTE --> At this point the database name gets changed to the original (ORCL in my case).* sql statement: alter system reset Oracle instance shut down connected to auxiliary database (not started) Oracle instance started Total System Global Area 267825152 bytes db_unique_name scope=spfile

Fixed Size 1373996 bytes Variable Size 104859860 bytes Database Buffers 155189248 bytes Redo Buffers 6402048 bytes allocated channel: DUP channel DUP: SID=63 device type=DISK sql statement: CREATE CONTROLFILE REUSE SET DATABASE ARCHIVELOG MAXLOGFILES 16 MAXLOGMEMBERS 3 MAXDATAFILES 100 MAXINSTANCES 8 MAXLOGHISTORY 292 LOGFILE GROUP 1 ( 'D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\REDO01.LOG' GROUP 2 ( 'D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\REDO02.LOG' GROUP 3 ( 'D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\REDO03.LOG' GROUP 4 ( 'D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\REDO04.LOG' DATAFILE 'D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\SYSTEM01.DBF' CHARACTER SET WE8MSWIN1252

"ORCL" RESETLOGS

) ) ) )

SIZE SIZE SIZE SIZE

50 50 50 50

M M M M

REUSE, REUSE, REUSE, REUSE

contents of Memory Script: { set newname for tempfile 1 to "D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\TEMP01.DBF"; switch clone tempfile all; catalog clone datafilecopy "D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\SYSAUX01.DBF", "D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\UNDOTBS01.DBF", "D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\USERS01.DBF", "D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\EXAMPLE01.DBF", "D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\TEST_01.DBF", "D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\TEST_02.DBF"; switch clone datafile all; } executing Memory Script executing command: SET NEWNAME renamed tempfile 1 to D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\TEMP01.DBF in control file cataloged datafile copy datafile copy file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\SYSAUX01.DBF RECID=1 STAMP=740535433

cataloged datafile datafile copy file STAMP=740535433 cataloged datafile datafile copy file STAMP=740535433 cataloged datafile datafile copy file STAMP=740535433 cataloged datafile datafile copy file STAMP=740535433 cataloged datafile datafile copy file STAMP=740535433

copy name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\UNDOTBS01.DBF RECID=2 copy name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\USERS01.DBF RECID=3 copy name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\EXAMPLE01.DBF RECID=4 copy name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\TEST_01.DBF RECID=5 copy name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\TEST_02.DBF RECID=6

datafile 2 switched to datafile copy input datafile copy RECID=1 STAMP=740535433 file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\SYSAUX01.DBF datafile 3 switched to datafile copy input datafile copy RECID=2 STAMP=740535433 file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\UNDOTBS01.DBF datafile 4 switched to datafile copy input datafile copy RECID=3 STAMP=740535433 file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\USERS01.DBF datafile 5 switched to datafile copy input datafile copy RECID=4 STAMP=740535433 file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\EXAMPLE01.DBF datafile 6 switched to datafile copy input datafile copy RECID=5 STAMP=740535433 file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\TEST_01.DBF datafile 7 switched to datafile copy input datafile copy RECID=6 STAMP=740535433 file name=D:\ORACLE\APP\ORADATA\ORCL\TEST_02.DBF contents of Memory Script: { Alter clone database open resetlogs; } executing Memory Script database Finished released released RMAN> opened Duplicate Db at 20-JAN-11 channel: C1 channel: DUP

6. Login to the Duplicated DB ORCL ============================================

01:32:38 SYS@ORCL> select name,open_mode,database_role from v$database; NAME OPEN_MODE DATABASE_ROLE --------- -------------------- ---------------ORCL READ WRITE PRIMARY

Elapsed: 00:00:00.04 01:32:42 SYS@ORCL> show parameter db_name NAME TYPE VALUE ------------------------------------ ----------- -----------db_name string ORCL 01:32:51 SYS@ORCL> 01:33:04 SYS@ORCL> select instance_name,startup_time from v$instance; INSTANCE_NAME STARTUP_TIME ---------------- ----------------orcl 20-01-11 00:17:09 Elapsed: 00:00:00.03

The db_name had changed to MATRIX and then is again got reset to ORCL, so just be aware.Laurent Schneider recently posted RMAN duplicate does change your DB_NAME ! http://laurentschneider.com/wordpress/2011/01/rman-duplicate-does-change-your-db_name.html