Data loss is catastrophic for any business. TrueList’s data loss statistics point out that “almost 70% of small businesses close within a year of a large data loss.” One of the most effective ways to prevent loss is to backup data. There are multiple data backup solutions available, and one of the newest options is known as chain-free backup.
What is chain-free backup?
Simply put, chain-free backup is a type of incremental backup method that does not rely on previous backups, or backup chains, to keep data intact. It’s a great way to secure and protect your data’s integrity without draining your resources.
How chain-free backup works
Chain-free backup is a type of incremental backup, which is a backup method that only copies changes or additions from the previous backup. Unlike traditional incremental backup that relies on a series, or “chain,” of backups, chain-free backup ensures that each backup copy is independent and not reliant on previous versions.
Axcient describes chain-free backup as a, “Modern solution that eliminates the pain points of chains. Chain-free backup starts off the same way as chain-based. You still do your first full backup, and you still do incremental backups, but that’s where things change. With chain-free, data is stored in a native virtualizable state with a pointer array algorithm. This means that each recovery point is independent.”
Comparing chain-free backup to chain-based backup
Chain-free and chain-based backup methods both have their pros and cons, so before choosing a backup solution, it’s helpful to compare the two to get an idea of which one will benefit your organization the most.
Chain-free backup pros and cons
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Pro: Saves storage space
With chain-free backup, organizations do not rely on backup chains, so duplicate backups are unnecessary. This means that organizations that use this backup method no longer have to worry about overloading their storage space.
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Pro: Fast recovery time
Chain-free backup ensures that recovery is a fast and easy process since base image requirements and consolidation processes aren’t necessary. It makes recovery easier, faster, and more simple than traditional incremental backup.
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Con: Limited options
Since chain-free backup is a fairly new solution, there aren’t many options on the market that offer this type of backup. Currently, Axcient is the business that organizations turn to for a reliable chain-free backup solution. In fact, Ancient is currently the only chain-free backup solution available for MSPs.
Chain-based backup pros and cons
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Pro: Reliable and well-known method
Incremental chain-based backup is a reliable, stable, and well-known method for protecting and securing data. Unlike chain-free backup, chain-based backup has been around for years and is used by numerous organizations around the globe.
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Pro: Plenty of options
Since incremental backup is not new to the market, there are many chain-based solutions and providers to choose from. You’ll have plenty of choices regarding features, pricing, customization, and more.
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Con: Longer recovery time & storage limitations
To recover chain-based backup data, you have to find and gather the data you need from the base image that reflects data from a certain time. This process is lengthy and time-consuming. Additionally, you have to store each “chain” in order for chain-based backup to work properly, and this can take up a significant amount of storage space.
5 factors to consider when choosing backup solutions
There are many backup options on the market, so how do you choose the right one for your business? The key to finding a backup solution that will work for your organization is to evaluate potential solutions using these five factors:
1) Cost
Set a budget for your backup solution and find options that fit within your set range. This will help prevent overspending on your solution.
2) Automation
Manual processes are costly and inefficient. Your backup solution should have automation features to reduce manual work as much as possible.
3) Integration
The last thing you want is for your backup solution to disturb your other processes and systems. Before choosing a backup solution, make sure that it can integrate with your current systems and solutions.
4) Scalability
As your business grows, you need systems and software that are able to expand with your organization. Your backup provider should offer solutions that scale with your business.
5) Security
You want to keep your data secure and in the right hands, especially if you handle confidential information. The backup provider you partner with should have multiple security measures in place to protect your data.
Finding the right type of backup for your business
Ultimately, no backup solution is “better” than the others; they all have their own pros and cons to consider. To find the right backup for your business, you’ll need to take your own business’s unique challenges and pain points into account. With a reliable chain-free or chain-based backup solution, you can ensure that your important data remains safe, secure, and in the right hands at all times.
