Data backup methods¶

There are different methods of data backup. When creating images with Drive Snapshot, the methods full backup and differential backup are supported.

With a full backup, all data to be backed up is saved in an image file each time. This means that all backed up data is contained in just one file, which simplifies management. Only one file is required to restore the data, but a regular full backup requires more storage capacity than a differential backup.

With a differential backup, only the data that has changed or been added since the last full backup is backed up. Such a backup therefore requires a previously created full backup. Both files, i.e. the basic full backup and the differential backup file, are required for a restoration. A regularly performed differential backup requires less storage capacity than a full backup. The restoration of the backup is slower than that of the full backup and the handling is also more complicated, as two files are required for a restoration.