Andriy: Looks like I didn't make it very clear earlier. Sorry for that. My intention was to restore it to a different db_name too. Do you mean to say that I can't restore the backup to a different db_name? Thanks, John ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: andrey dmitrenko <jan2ary@xxxxxxxxx> Date: Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 2:13 PM Subject: Re: RMAN RESTORE TO A DIFFERENT SID To: joscott2011.mail@xxxxxxxxx Cc: oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Check this http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/E11882_01/backup.112/e10642/rcmadvre.htm#i1007814 You can use any sid, db_unique_name and directory structure, the only things should be the same are db_name and dbid. Andriy