Incremental backup is a type of data protection and backup that involves copying only the data that has changed since the last backup operation. This backup method is widely used in IT environments to optimize storage space, reduce backup time, and streamline data recovery processes.
Full vs. incremental vs. differential backups
There are several types of backups. While incremental backups only backup recently changed or modified data, a full backup copies all data every time it runs. While this is straightforward and simplifies recovery, it is time-consuming and requires substantial storage space. This differs from incremental backups where only modifications and changed data are copied.
Meanwhile, a differential backup copies all changed data since the last full backup. It falls between full and incremental backups by reducing the number of files involved in the backup and recovery processes, but it still requires more storage space than incremental backups.
How does incremental backup work?
1. Initial full backup
The incremental backup process begins with a full backup. This first full backup copies all selected data to the backup repository and then serves as the foundation for subsequent incremental backups.
2. First incremental backup
The first incremental backup scans the source system for any files that have changed or been added since the initial full backup. Only these changes are copied to the backup storage.
3. Subsequent incremental backups
Each subsequent incremental backup continues to capture only the data that has changed since the last incremental backup. This chain of backups creates a sequential record of changes over time.
Benefits of incremental backup
1. Efficiency
Compared to full backups, which copy all data every time, incremental backups only back up new or modified files after the last backup. This leads to significantly less data being transferred and stored, allowing organizations to save more on time, storage space, and resources.
2. Faster backup process
Since only a fraction of the total data is backed up, incremental backups are typically much faster to complete than other backup types. This makes incremental backups suitable for organizations that have large volumes of data or limited backup windows.
3. Storage space savings
Incremental backups use substantially less disk space than full backups, making them more cost-effective and easier to manage.
Downsides of incremental backup
1. Complex recovery process:
In the event of a data backup restoration, all incremental backups along with the last full backup must be available and intact. This can complicate and lengthen the recovery process compared to other methods like differential backups.
2. Potential for data loss:
If any incremental backup in the sequence becomes corrupted or is lost, all subsequent backups may become unusable, potentially leading to data loss.
Conclusion
Incremental backups provide a robust solution for any organization’s backup strategies. Investing in a backup tool with incremental backup allows IT teams to protect sensitive data and conduct a system restore in the face of incidents or disasters. IT teams can leverage incremental backups’ advantages in speed and storage usage.
At the same time, technicians should be aware that incremental backups come with a challenging and complex restoration process. Careful planning and management of incremental backups allow IT teams to bypass this downside and ensure reliable data recovery and business continuity.
