Sometimes we get backup and did not use TAG or format clause via RMAN. However RMAN will give unique name for backup. After some period we need to clarify backup name, which of them controlfile name, which of them backup datafile 1 etc. For clarify Oracle RMAN backups, you need to use : list backup by file; Let`s to look at example take backup of current controlfile and spfile RMAN> backup current controlfile spfile; take backup of 1 data file of database, SYSTEM01.dbf RMAN> backup datafile 1; take backup of whole database and archivelog RMAN> backup database plus archivelog; [oracle@localhost 2010_08_12]$ ls -lh total 1.3G -rw-r----- 1 oracle oinstall 283M Aug 12 11:50 o1_mf_annnn_TAG20100812T115003_6676dx1p_.bkp -rw-r----- 1 oracle oinstall 17K Aug 12 11:51 o1_mf_annnn_TAG20100812T115147_6676j4h5_.bkp -rw-r----- 1 oracle oinstall 6.8M Aug 12 11:38 o1_mf_ncnnf_TAG20100812T113851_6675qw1y_.bkp -rw-r----- 1 oracle oinstall 6.9M Au...