Database backup from standby DB

A computer program product embodied on a computer readable medium, the computer readable medium having stored thereon a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor, executes a method for backing up a database, comprising:

• maintaining a database system having a primary database and a standby database, the primary database generating redo records that are copied to the standby database;
• receiving a request to back up the standby database;
• and
• backing up the standby database by copying standby database datafiles and archived redo log files to a backup storage device,
• wherein backing up the standby database does not initiate a switch operation at the primary database to transfer online redo log records to an archived redo log file.