Oracle 11gR2, RMAN, NetBackup, and the Media Layer (MML).

Oracle 11gR2 (11.2.0.1). This is a step-by-step approach to configuring Oracle 11gR2 with RMAN and a NetBackup Media Layer. This is a basic example of my configuration and not a in-depth discussion of RMAN and NetBackup MML. But it is enough to get started.

Verify your NetBackup installation. For 11gR2 you need a minimum of NBU 6.5.4 Master and Client.
If you are using version 6.5.4 you need to apply the Symantec EEB fix.
Details:
Symantec Bug ID: 1862252
Version: NetBackup_6.5.4
Installation Location: Client
Fixes Included:
(ET1940073) RMAN-10038 error when attempting to backup Oracle version 11.2 using NetBackup 6.x.
There is a different EEB if you are on NBU 6.5.5 and I believe NBU 7.0 has resolved the issue with Oracle 11gR2.

Be sure to shutdown the database instance and then run oracle_link.

Run oracle_link (as oracle owner) in found in the netbackup/bin directory.
This will link $ORACLE_HOME/lib/libobk.so to NBU libobk.so64
libobk.so -> /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/libobk.so64

Update the bp.conf file on the client to reflect your client, master, and media servers
SERVER =
EMMSERVER=
MEDIA_SERVER=
CLIENT_NAME=

Look in the following netbackup directory for a sample script. Copy this script to the location you want to keep your NBU scripts.
netbackup/ext/db_ext/oracle/samples/rman

I have modified this script greatly over time and for many different backup types. This is just a example of the minimum updates required to use it. Even if you choose to not use a script a NetBackup Policy is mandatory. Create an Oracle Policy even if you do not use this script as a template.

Using an RMAN catalog? I highly recommend it.
I am starting with the script hot_database_backup.sh and will copy it to $ORACLE_HOME/scripts/rman and update it for my environment.

Update the permissions on the script so you can edit it.
scripts/rman% chmod 775 hot_database_backup.sh

I will modify the following lines.

ORACLE_HOME=your Oracle home
ORACLE_SID=your SID
ORACLE_USER=oracle
TARGET_CONNECT_STR=/

Add the following for the catalog connection
CATALOG_CONNECT_STR=xxx/xxx@xxx (catalog login password and SID)

Now update the RMAN variable prior to the run command
$RMAN target $TARGET_CONNECT_STR catalog $CATALOG_CONNECT_STR msgno append <<>

Finally I add a line to email the results to me.
The command is all one line. Your host must already be configured to send mail.
cat $RMAN_LOG_FILE | mailx -s "${ORACLE_SID} on `uname -n` $BACKUP_TYPE $LOGMSG
- EXIT Status = $RSTAT" youremail@company.com

Before configuring RMAN, create a backup policy in NetBackup. This is a specific Oracle Policy for this particular client. The existence of a Policy is mandatory even if you run a command for the command line or call an RMAN script.

These are the minimum RMAN parameter configuration I recommend.

Start RMAN and connect to a target database and a recovery catalog
rman target / catalog catlogin/password@catalog_sid

RMAN> list incarnation;
RMAN> Register database;
database registered in recovery catalog
starting full resync of recovery catalog
full resync complete

RMAN> list incarnation;

Run the RMAN SHOW command.
RMAN> SHOW ALL;

RMAN> SHOW RETENTION POLICY;
RMAN> SHOW RETENTION POLICY;
RMAN configuration parameters for database with db_unique_name PROD are:
CONFIGURE RETENTION POLICY TO REDUNDANCY 1; # default

RMAN> CONFIGURE RETENTION POLICY TO REDUNDANCY 3;
RMAN> SHOW DEFAULT DEVICE TYPE;
RMAN configuration parameters for database with db_unique_name PROD are:
CONFIGURE DEFAULT DEVICE TYPE TO DISK; # default

RMAN> CONFIGURE DEFAULT DEVICE TYPE TO sbt;
RMAN> CONFIGURE DEVICE TYPE sbt PARALLELISM 2;
RMAN> CONFIGURE DEVICE TYPE sbt BACKUP TYPE TO BACKUPSET;
RMAN> CONFIGURE CONTROLFILE AUTOBACKUP ON;

Now test a backup to your MML
RMAN> backup spfile;

You can view the Activity Monitor on your NetBackup Administrative Console GUI for activity of the newly created policy.

Example of the output you should see on the server.

RMAN> backup spfile;

Starting backup at 09-JUL-10
allocated channel: ORA_SBT_TAPE_1
channel ORA_SBT_TAPE_1: SID=228 device type=SBT_TAPE
channel ORA_SBT_TAPE_1: Veritas NetBackup for Oracle - Release 6.5 (2010011113)
allocated channel: ORA_SBT_TAPE_2
channel ORA_SBT_TAPE_2: SID=254 device type=SBT_TAPE
channel ORA_SBT_TAPE_2: Veritas NetBackup for Oracle - Release 6.5 (2010011113)
channel ORA_SBT_TAPE_1: starting full datafile backup set
channel ORA_SBT_TAPE_1: specifying datafile(s) in backup set
including current SPFILE in backup set
channel ORA_SBT_TAPE_1: starting piece 1 at 09-JUL-10
channel ORA_SBT_TAPE_1: finished piece 1 at 09-JUL-10
piece handle=01lic0o5_1_1 tag=TAG20100709T143028 comment=API Version 2.0,MMS Version 5.0.0.0
channel ORA_SBT_TAPE_1: backup set complete, elapsed time: 00:01:35
Finished backup at 09-JUL-10

Starting Control File and SPFILE Autobackup at 09-JUL-10
piece handle=c-134461749-20100709-00 comment=API Version 2.0,MMS Version 5.0.0.0
Finished Control File and SPFILE Autobackup at 09-JUL-10