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The term data backup implies making additional copies of data that are stored in separate devices. This helps in keeping the data safe in case the original copy gets damaged. Data loss can occur due to a number of disasters such as corruption of data, physical damage to it and other factors.  The backed up data is used rarely as most of the times recovery of data from the original device itself is possible.  Hence, most of the users ignore the process as they consider it to be tedious.

 

Backup of small amounts of data can usually be performed by manually storing the data onto other media. But, in case a large amount of data is to be handled, it is better to make use of software or data backup services that are available

 

<b>Types of Backup</b>

 

Data backup can be classified according to the type of medium that is used to store the data. For example, data can be stored onto CDs or DVDs, in remote servers, in tapes, external hard drives, optical storage media and some others. For users who need to store small amounts of data some CDs may prove to be sufficient while others may require hard drives of high capacity or tapes.

 

Another method of classification is according to the organisation scheme that is used while backing up the data and how the stored data is updated. Depending on this, data backup may be classified as follows:

 

<ul><li><b>Unstructured Backup:</b> This involves backing up of data as it comes without any information regarding the method used to store the files.</li>

<li><b>Full with Increments:</b> Here the complete data on the computer or server is backed up and then the modifications that have been made are stored separately. This leads to piling up of the backed up data but gives you the facility of restoring the server to any previous date. </li>

<li><b>Full Differential Backup: </b>  In this case, the backed up data is modified periodically according to the changes that are made in the original version. This has the advantage that you need to restore only the last backup and also involves use of less amount of space. </li>

<li><b>Mirror Backup: </b> In this, the original full backup is modified according to the changes that may be made in the original data later, but also made available is the facility to revert to any of its prior states in the form of reverse increments i.e. mirrors. </li>

<li><b>Continuous Data Backup: </b> In the other models, the backup of data takes place at periodic intervals of time. Whereas, in this method, the backup is modified as soon as the changes are made in the original. Here also, backup in the form of increments or differential backup is possible. Such method is generally used when making use of remote backups through the internet. </li></ul>

 

<b>Products Available for Data Backup</b>

 

There is a wide variety of media available in the market that can be used to store the data. Each one of them is suitable for certain users. The uses of the popular ones among them have been listed below:

 

<b>CDs/DVDs: </b> These can be made use of if the amount of data you need to store is small. They are advantageous as they occupy small amounts of space and are inexpensive. On the other hand, they need to be handled carefully in order to avoid data loss.

 

<b>Flash Drives and Portable Hard Drives: </b> They offer a large amount of space and hence ones with large capacity usually prove to be sufficient for home users. They retain data for long periods of time and also, are a lot safer to use. Also, they do not cost much these days.

 

<b>Remote Data Backup: </b>  This is among the most expensive data backup solutions available in the market and arguably the most reliable one. With this, the whole process of data backup is automated and does not involve any effort from the user at all. Also, continuous backup of data is possible with this technique.

 

Apart from these backup media, there is also much software available that helps you organise the data that you have backed up and thus makes the process of backup user-friendly and less tedious. The inexpensive ones among these do not offer the complete range of features and are suitable for home based users who do not handle large amounts of data. Such software can be downloaded from the internet.

 

As the process of data backup is becoming easier day by day, it is advisable that users become proactive and perform backup of their data rather than repenting later.