Editor_s Note:These glossary terms go with theJanuary 2010 JEMS article“Back It Up.”
Backup rotation
Backup scheduler
Backup to hard drive
Backup to FTP or online locations
Backup to removable media (CD, DVD, tape)
Backup verification
Computer backup strategy
Data compression
Encryption
Full Backup
Incremental backup
Recoverability
Reliability
Server Farm
Sneakernet
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Backup rotation:Rotating the backup media during the backup process. This is done to allow saving recent backup versions on media, which allows for their restoration if some files were damaged.
Backup scheduler:A mechanism that allows a user to schedule backup operations to previously specified date and time. This enables unattended backups.
Backup to hard drive:A process of copying the entire contents, be it system files, data files or any other information, of one hard drive to another.
Backup to FTP or online locations:A backup stored at an online location, such as an FTP server or an Internet site. Online backups can be very useful because they allow you to access your backups from any location with Internet access. For home users, online backups are also more secure because they’re physically separated from the original data. Online backups require some form of encryption to be safe.
Backup to removable media (CD, DVD, tape):A process of copying the entire contents — system files, data files or any other information — of one hard drive to removable media.
Backup verification:After the software performs a data backup, it compares and verifies the backup to the original as a self-error check.
Computer backup strategy:This regulates various parameters, such as which data is backed up, how much data is backed up at a time, how often backup is performed and which media is used. A computer backup strategy usually aims at achieving effectiveness and efficiency at the same time. In other words, it combines the best security with the least amount of effort and cost. Usually, a computer backup strategy includes a backup rotation schedule.
Data compression:Backup software allows you to compress the backup file so you can store more data in the same location.
Encryption:Translation of data or plain text into a secret code, or cipher text.
Full backup:A type of backup in which all files are copied to a backup storage device.
Incremental backup:A copy of only the data that has changed since the last back up. It’s much faster but requires more work to restore.
Recoverability:A measure of the time and complexity involved in regaining full operational status following a full (or partial) catastrophic failure.
Reliability:Backup data that is not corrupted, and a system that can send timely and effectively alerts if it has has detected.
Server Farm:A collection of computer servers usually maintained by a private business to accomplish server needs far beyond the capability of one machine.
Sneakernet:Physically moving data with a removable media storage device.
