Backup software

Short description: Software for backup

Backup software is software for creating a copy of computer data such as files and databases, called a backup, with the intention to recover from data loss. It may support extracting data from a backup and even restoring it to its original location.[1]

## Contents

* 1 Key features
* 1.1 Volumes
* 1.2 Data compression
* 1.3 Access to open files
* 1.4 Differential and incremental backups
* 1.5 Schedules
* 1.6 Encryption
* 1.7 Transaction mechanism
* 2 See also
* 3 References

## Key features

There are several features of backup software that make it more effective in backing up data.

### Volumes

Voluming allows the ability to compress and split backup data into separate parts for storage on smaller, removable media such as CDs. It was often used because CDs were easy to transport off-site and inexpensive compared to hard drives or servers.

However, the recent increase in hard drive capacity and decrease in drive cost has made voluming a far less popular solution. The introduction of small, portable, durable USB drives, and the increase in broadband capacity has provided easier and more secure methods of transporting backup data off-site.[2]

### Data compression

Main articles: Data compression and Data deduplication

Since hard drive space has cost, compressing the data will reduce the size allowing for less drive space to be used to save money.

### Access to open files

Main article: File locking

Many backup solutions offer a plug-in for access to exclusive, in use, and locked files.

### Differential and incremental backups

Main article: Backup rotation scheme

Backup solutions generally support differential backups and incremental backups in addition to full backups, so only material that is newer or changed compared to the backed up data is actually backed up. The effect of these is to increase significantly the speed of the backup process over slow networks while decreasing space requirements.

### Schedules

Main article: Software:Job scheduler

Backup schedules are usually supported to reduce maintenance of the backup tool and increase the reliability of the backups.

### Encryption

Main article: Encryption

To prevent data theft, some backup software offers cryptography features to protect the backup.

### Transaction mechanism

To prevent loss of previously backed up data during a backup, some backup software (e.g., Areca Backup, Argentum Backup) offer Transaction mechanism (with commit/rollback management) for all critical processes (such as backups or merges) to guarantee the backups' integrity.

## See also

* Backup
* Cloud storage
* List of backup software
* Comparison of backup software

## References

1. ↑ "Data Backup software- Definition and specification". http://www.colormango.com/utilities/data-backup/.
2. ↑ "Replicate and backup data from one PC to one or many remote computers and from many computers to a single server". Enduradata. http://www.enduradata.com/zblog/cross-platform-replication-file-transfer/2010/08/09/data-replication-software-company-now-releases-v3-1-of-its-cross-platform-data-replication-pc-off-site-and-on-line-remote-backup-software/.

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