Dominic, You can't use a logical standby to off load your backup needs. This is because a logical does not replicate the original database, but only the transactions therein. Rowid's and object id's between the two will be different so you can't just move a data file from your logical standby to the primary for recovery purposes. A physical standby is the only way to do that since it does maintain rowid's and the like. Dick Goulet Senior Oracle DBA PAREXEL International 978.313.3426 information transmitted in this communication is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please destroy any copies, contact the sender and delete the material from any computer. ________________________________