Backup and Restore

Synonyms

Backup copy

Definition

Backup is the action of collecting data stored on non-volatile storage media to aid recovery in case the original data are lost or becomes inaccessible due to corruption or damage caused by, mainly, a failure in storage component hardware (such as a hard disk drive or controller), a disastrous event, an operator’s mistake, or intentional alteration or erasure of the data. In addition, the data collected by this action are called a backup. Restore is the action of copying a backup to on-line storage for use by applications in a recovery. The term “back up and restore” indicates both actions.

Key Points

The purpose of backup includes recovering data from storage media failure. For this reason, it is common to make backup to different storage media. Removable storage media is used because it is relatively less expensive than online storage media like hard disk drive, and it is easy to bring it offsite in case of site failure. Hard disk drives are becoming...