The recovery catalog is an optional repository, but its importance cannot be denied. As we have shown, there are a couple of things which are completely impossible if you are not using the catalog and a few areas which work better once the catalog is in place. Although you may find using the control file easier, creating and using the recovery catalog is something that you must do to get the best out of RMAN.
Now we understand RMAN and have learned how to configure it and use it for performing backups and recoveries. So, it is time to go to the next step which is to dive deeper and understand two very important aspects: how to troubleshoot any issues related to RMAN and optimize its performance using several techniques. Let's proceed to the next chapter in which both requirements are discussed at great length.
