Types of Backup Techniques
Applied IT (Year 12) - Managing Data
Christian Bien
What are the types of Backup Techniques?
Backup techniques in the WACE syllabus fall under four main types:
Full
Differential
Incremental
Daily.
Full Backup
A full backup is a backup that makes a copy of the entire contents of a system onto an external source.
Advantages:
Consolidated, central location for all backups.
Disadvantages
Backup process uses the largest volume of storage space.
Requires the longest time to complete the backup.
Differential Backup
A differential backup that makes a copy of all new or modified files since the last full backup.
Advantages:
Uses less space than a full backup.
Faster to complete a differential backup than a full backup.
Disadvantages
Backup files are scattered amongst multiple locations.
Incremental Backup
An incremental backup is a backup that makes a copy of all new or modified files since the last full backup or incremental backup.
Advantages:
Uses less space than a full backup.
Faster to complete an incremental backup than a full backup.
Disadvantages
Backup files are scattered amongst multiple locations.
Daily Backup
A daily backup is a backup that makes a copy of all new or modified files on the day of the backup. Daily backups are performed each day.
Advantages:
Uses least amount of space.
Shortest backup time.
Regular backing up of files.
Disadvantages
Backup files are scattered amongst multiple locations.
Case Study: Time Machine Backups (Mac)
Time Machine Backup is a default backup application for the Mac operating system. It is known for its simplicity in use and restoring data from a backup.
It works by starting a full backup on first use. This copies all files and contents on the system onto an external device. After the initial full backup is performed, the software checks for any new data every hour and performs an incremental backup of that data. Backups are performed until storage space on the external device is full, in which the oldest data is deleted.
To find out more about how Time Machine Backups works, we recommend reading the MacSales article below: https://eshop.macsales.com/blog/32972-time-machine-what-it-is-how-it-works-and-how-to-use-it-with-your-mac/.