You can back up data interactively with the Backup Wizard, which also supports backups to tapes and succeeding tapes with external backup tools.
Under normal circumstances, you should backup database instances if the ONLINE operational state. You can also backup database instances in the ADMIN operational state, but only in exceptional circumstances.
If you want to use external backup tools, choose the following settings when you create the backup media (see Creating a Single Backup Medium, Creating a Group of Parallel Backup Media or Changing Backup Media):
General
· Follow the naming conventions for backup media.
· Choose the device type Pipe.
· Specify the operating system path of this pipe under Location.
When you back up the data, proceed as described under Backing Up to a Single Backup Medium or Backing Up to a Group of Parallel Backup Media.