RMAN and EMC Networker

Question

We have just purchased EMC Networker to work with RMAN. We have about 25 databases, where we have configured a recovery catalog on a separate server. We are planning to run RMAN remotelly from this server, rather then locally for each of the 25 databases. I have 2 questions:
1. Does it makes sense to do that, to run RMAN from the remote location on the server where recovery catalog is located?
2. My understanding is that once RMAN commands are issued, Oracle starts a backup where it reads the appropriate database file, creates backup set and passes it to Networker Oracle module. Where is this backup set created? Can it be created in the Flash Recovery Area (so backup to disk first) and then backup this area to Networker? Does it make sense to set up FRA if we are using Networker?
Thank you!

Answer 1

1) There are version dependencies between the RMAN components, but apart from this you can run the executable from everywhere. This is often done from a centralized location.
2) It's a common strategy to first backup to disk (and FRA is the recommened location) and then to backup the FRA to tape via RMAN. That means performance advantages and your first backup stage is independent of 3rd party functionality. But you have a second storage destination,which makes your backup/recovery strategy more reliable. Of course you also could backup directly to tape, if you don't have enough disk space (and you don't want to invest in it).
Werner