To check available tape backups from RMAN


instance user $ rman target /

RMAN > list backup ; - to check the tape backup of RMAN
RMAN > list backup summary;
RMAN > list backup by file;


RMAN> list backup completed before 'sysdate' device type disk;  - list of backups available on disk
RMAN> show all; - to check for the retention
RMAN> list backup completed before 'sysdate' device type SBT_TAPE; - list of tape backups


command that shows list  of  backup that can be used for restore

RMAN> list backup summary tag INCR_BACKUPSET_0 completed after '04-NOV-2012' device type disk;

RMAN > backup database plus archivelog;  (spfile and control file backed up - depends on size it takes time)