Oracle Standby database are divided into physical standby database or logical standby database based on standby database creation and redo log apply METHOD. Physical standby database are created as exact copy i.e block by block copy of primary database. In physical standby database transactions happen in primary database are synchronized in standby database by using Redo Apply method by continuously applying redo data on standby database received from primary database.

Physical standby database can offload the backup ACTIVITY and reporting activity from Primary database. Physical standby database can be opened for read-only transactions but redo apply won’t happen during that time. But from 11g onwards using Active Data Guard OPTION (extra purchase) you can simultaneously OPEN the physical standby database for read-only access and apply redo logs received from primary database.

Oracle Standby database are divided into physical standby database or logical standby database based on standby database creation and redo log apply method. Physical standby database are created as exact copy i.e block by block copy of primary database. In physical standby database transactions happen in primary database are synchronized in standby database by using Redo Apply method by continuously applying redo data on standby database received from primary database.

Physical standby database can offload the backup activity and reporting activity from Primary database. Physical standby database can be opened for read-only transactions but redo apply won’t happen during that time. But from 11g onwards using Active Data Guard option (extra purchase) you can simultaneously open the physical standby database for read-only access and apply redo logs received from primary database.