Detect Data Block Corruption in Oracle Using RMAN

Are you getting "ORA-01578 runtime error" whilechecksum for every block before writing to the hard
accessing an Oracle database table? Is the tabledrive.
inaccessible and you are unable to use its data? ThisYou can easily detect Oracle data block corruption
problem usually occurs if the particular table containsusing an inbuilt utility, called RMAN (Oracle Recovery
various damaged blocks. In such cases, OracleManager). This tool offers you a comprehensive way
application cannot read the table and thus you cometo effectively backup your database and recover it, in
across this behavior. It leads to serious data losscase of database corruption. The tools is designed to
situations, if you do not have a valid data backup inwork with server, and detects block-level corruption
place. But, in case the backup is not updated, Oraclewhile backing up the database or restoring it.
database recovery is the only way to get yourRMAN detects only the physically corrupt data blocks
mission-critical data back.on Oracle database. It does not automatically find the
What causes block corruption in Oracle databaselogical corruption of the blocks. You must specify the
table?logical block corruption checking using the 'CHECK
The block corruption can be of two types, namelyLOGICAL' option.
logical and physical. Logical corruption may occur dueIn case the RMAN cannot detect logical and physical
to unsuccessful or improper attempts to recover acorruption to Oracle database and fix it, the database
database table using NOLOGGING action. It can alsoremains inaccessible. You encounter the same
be caused by virus infection and applicationbehavior every time you try to open the database
malfunction. Whereas, physical corruption can be duetable. It causes severe data loss and puts you in need
to system related problems, like damaged memoryof DBF recovery solutions.
boards or file system structures.You can quickly and easily repair Oracle database
You can deal with Oracle block corruption using any ofusing advanced and powerful third-party applications.
the following initialization parameters:They employ high-end scanning methods to
- DB_BLOCK_CHECKING- A server process thatsystematically scan all corrupt Oracle database tables
checks data blocks for internal consistency andand extract all data from them. The applications
integrity.recover Oracle database in a quick, safe, and easy
- DB_BLOCK_CHECKSUM- It calculates theway.