An incremental backup is one of three methods of data backup. It is particularly suitable for those who need to back up their data frequently.
Incremental backup: What’s behind it
A backup ensures that important data is saved and can be restored in case of emergency. There are different types of backups and one of them is the incremental backup.
- A backup is a Backup files, folders or even entire systemsIn case of data loss – for example due to technical problems, virus infection or accidental deletion – you can use this copy to restore the lost data.
- The incremental backup secures only the data that has changed since the last backupThis means that it does not create a complete copy of all data each time, but only saves the new or changed files.
- An example: Imagine you make a full backup of all your files every Sunday. On the following days, of course, the entire data set does not change. Instead, you may add a few new documents or change existing files. With an incremental backup, only the new or changed files are backed up on Monday, and on Tuesday only the data that has changed since Monday is backed up.
- Die Backup procedure is therefore as follows:First, a complete backup of all data is made – for example on Sunday. This full backup is the basis for all further backups.During the next backup, possibly the next day, only the files that have changed since the full backup are backed up (first incremental backup). On the following days, only the changes since the last incremental backup are saved.
Benefits of incremental backup
Compared to full backup and differential backup as the two alternative methods for data backup, the incremental backup often the most efficient approach because only minimal data is backed up.
- Since only the changes are saved, the Backup process faster than with a full backup.
- Incremental backups save storage spacebecause only new or changed data is backed up.
- Less CPU power and network resources are used, which is particularly advantageous for large amounts of data – the Resource use is therefore more efficient.
- But there are also disadvantagesespecially with regard to more complicated recovery: to fully restore the data, you need the last full backup and all subsequent incremental backups. So the restore may take longer and is more prone to errors if one of the incremental backups is corrupted.Each incremental backup also creates an additional backup file. Depending on the number of backups, these can add up.
- An incremental backup is particularly suitable for people or companies who Back up data regularly and frequently must, where However, the entire data set does not change dailyThis method is ideal for systems where data backups need to be done quickly and in a small space, such as servers that only have small changes on a daily basis.