Flashback and Restore Point

Starting 11gR2, you can enable / disable flashback while the database is open.  You can monitor flashback database using the SOFAR and TOTALWORK columns of v$SESSION_LONGOPS

SQL> select status from gv$instance;

STATUS

------------

OPEN

OPEN

SQL> alter database flashback on;

Database altered.

SQL> select flashback_on from v$database;

FLASHBACK_ON

------------------

YES

SQL> create restore point Golden_DB guarantee flashback database;

Restore point created.

RMAN> list restore point all;

using target database control file instead of recovery catalog

SCN              RSP Time  Type       Time      Name

---------------- --------- ---------- --------- ----

596770000000                          25-SEP-10 RESTORE2

5974114096614              GUARANTEED 21-JUL-10 GOLDEN_DB

SQL> select flashback_on from v$database;

FLASHBACK_ON

------------------

RESTORE POINT ONLY