Chapter 4

Solving Data Backup Challenges

Prepared by:

Khurram N. Shamsi

Backup

The Backup utility helps you create a copy of the information on your hard disk.

In the event that the original data on your hard disk is accidentally erased or overwritten, or becomes inaccessible because of a hard disk malfunction, you can use the copy to restore your lost or damaged data.

Backups are often used to archive older or unused files.

Types of Backup

Full backup All files and directories on the specified drive are saved to

the backup device. Selective backup

Allows you to backup only desired files or directories. Particularly handy for saving work folders.

Incremental backup Copies only the files that were changed since the last

backup. Differential backup

Copies all of the files that were changed since the last full backup.

These are the fastest but least flexible types of backup.

Means of Backup

There are several means of producing backups, such as: High-speed, high capacity tape drives Removable magnetic disks (Floppy, LS-120, Zip) Removable media disks Optical disks such as CDs or DVDs Flash Memory External Hard Disk Memory Cards Online storage

Data Compression

Data compression is an excellent means of expanding the storage capacity of a tape or CD media.

Backup programs can compress the data as it backs it up so that it fits on fewer backup discs than it would if you had simply copied it.

For example, compression may allow a 4 GB tape to hold up to 8 GB of data.

Backup Considerations

Consider the frequency How often should a backup be performed?

Consider the most effective type of backup Consider the hardware and media requirements Get the media formatted Consider where to store the backups Consider Compression Consider manual vs. automatic backups Rotate tapes periodically

Steps to take Backup in Windows

To backup selected files with Microsoft Backup in Windows, follow these steps:

Start Backup (Start All Programs Accessories System Tools Backup)

At the Welcome to the Backup or Restore Wizard, click Next.

Click Back Up Files and Settings and click Next. Click Let Me Choose What to Back Up, and click Next. Place checkmarks next to the folders / files you want to

backup, and then click Next. Choose a location and name for the backup file, and click

Next. Click Finish, and wait for the backup to complete.

Restore

You can restore one file, several selected files, or all files from a backup set.

You can also select individual versions of a file, specify the destination for the restored files, and set options.

Suggested Websites

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backup

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/setup/backupdata.aspx

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/

features/backup-and-restore

http://www.howstuffworks.com/how-to-tech/how-to-back-up-hard-

drive.htm

http://www.symantec.com/business/solutions/article.jsp?

aid=20100310_8_steps_to_a_data_security_and_backup_strate

gy&om_ext_cid=biz_socmed_twitter_8Steps