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Backup Scope |
  
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Backup Scope |
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Depending on how important the various types of data on a system are and the complexity of restoring various parts of it are, different backup scopes are used.
Backing up and entire system creates the most solid method of recovery. It usually allows for a quicker recovery and brings the system back to almost the exact state that it was at the time the backup was made.
This type of backup will also backup the operating system as well as many of the temporary files used by the OS at any given time.
This type of backup is usually very time consuming and typically requires that the system be partially offline during the backup process.
The reason the system must be partially offline, is that some of the files on the system are in during normal operations. These files must be put into a temporary state at the time their files are being backed up.
There are special programs that are able to accomplish this automatically.
Backing up the entire system entails backing up all the hard drives (if multiple drives exist). The amount of backup space needed must be large enough to accommodate all of the data on the system.
Also, since the entire system consists of a large number of files, the amount of time to read the files, then write them to a backup destination can be a long time.
While this method very effective, it is not efficient for the average user to use everyday.
Backing up an entire drive is almost the same as an entire system backup, only it backs up a single drive in a multi-drive system.
Note: Multi-drive system in this case does not refer to a RAID system.
A lesser scope of backups would be to backup everything but the operating system and other related items.
While this sounds like a great backup plan, it is not the most recommended method.
Like the entire system backup it can backup a lot of files that may not be necessary.
In some cases it may be worthwhile to backup some of the OS and program configuration data along with the users data.
This is the most important backup scope for the typical user.
This should be done on a periodic basis without fail.
Consider what types of files are stored on the computer.
| • | Operating system with drivers and settings specific to a particular computer |
| • | Program files and their setting to the particular computer |
| • | Data files that are created by the user |
If needed the Operating system can be reinstalled with minimal effort. Likewise the program files can be reinstalled and configured with minimal effort.
That leaves us with the users data files.
This is the type of file that can't simply be reinstalled or have a vendor send us another copy of. It is one of a kind, custom created data. If this data were lost, it is lost forever. It may be possible to recreate some of the data, but the odds of getting everything back the way it was are not in the users favor.
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Page url:
http://www.tje.net/PCSupport/index.html?backupscopes.htm
Page content was last updated: 4/22/2009
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