Apparatus and method for creating a real time database replica

A computer implemented method of processing data, comprising:

• identifying a capture redo byte address;
• initiating a capture process at the capture redo byte address;
• receiving a hot backup logical change number for a source database indicating initiation of hot backup replication of the source database;
• in response to receiving the hot backup logical change number, initiating hot backup of the source database, wherein the initiating of the hot backup of the source database includes:
• creating a clone of a source database to a logical change number by capturing committed transactions while the source database operates with full data availability, wherein the clone of the source database is a copy of the source database as of the logical change number, and wherein the source database operating with full data availability comprises actively accepting read and write operations on data within files being backed up during replication of the source database, wherein actively accepts read and write operations on data within files includes the source database continuing to operate with full data availability;
• transferring the clone of the source database to a replica database while the source database continues to operate with full data availability, wherein the clone of the source database includes transactions committed before the hot backup logical change number;
• initiating an apply process at a target database, wherein the apply process discards transactions committed prior to the logical change number;
• and
• utilizing a log based extraction apply process starting at the logical change number to update the replica database with transactions committed after the logical change number by generating a transaction log which includes transactions committed after the logical change number and before a commit logical change number, wherein the commit logical change number indicates read and write operations which were issued and not committed after the logical change number but before the commit logical change number.

A system for creating a replica of a source database, the system comprising:

• a storage memory having sets of instructions stored thereon;
• and
• a processor coupled to the storage memory, wherein when the processor executes the sets of instructions, the sets of instructions cause the processor to:
• receive a hot backup logical change number for the source database indicating initiation of hot backup replication of the source database;
• in response to receiving the hot backup logical change number, initiate hot backup of the source database, wherein the initiating of the hot backup of the source database includes executable instructions to:
• create a clone of the source database to a logical change number by capturing committed transactions, wherein actively accepts read and write operations on data within files includes the source database continuing to operate with full data availability;
• transfer the clone of the source database to a replica database while the source database continues to operate with full data availability, wherein the clone of the source database includes transactions committed before the hot backup logical change number;
• and
• utilize a log based extraction apply process starting at the logical change number to update the replica database with transactions committed after the logical change number by generating a transaction log which includes transactions committed after the logical change number and before a commit logical change number, wherein the commit logical change number indicates read and write operations which were issued and not committed after the logical change number but before the commit logical change number.