> We backup our Oracle database via two channels so the data is split onto
> two different tapes. Therefore we can use two channel restores.
>
> Four channel restore doesn't make any sense as the other two extra
> channels can't mount the tapes which are already in use by the first two
> restore sessions

Yes and no.  Isn't there a complete break between RMAN and TSM?  How
can RMAN have any knowledge of what tapes backup pieces are on when TSM
can move files arond on volumes (migration, movedata, reclamation).  Yes,
our big databases write to a tape and it is never moved, but logically it
could, and RMAN wouldn't even know.  This would be sspecially true if
a RMAN/TDPO went to a file/disk devices first, then migrated to tape.

I can understand how using 2 channels for backup and restore would not
get drive contention, but that seems to only be true if TSM
has not migrated/movedata/reclamation some of the backup to
different/same volumes.

Rick

ps:  Google is amazing!  My origional email showed up on a Google search
     I did on this subject after only about 15 min of sending the
     origional email.

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