Key Points
- Full vs. Incremental vs. Differential Backup: A full backup captures the entire data set, incremental backups save only data changed since the last backup, and differential backups capture all changes since the last full backup.
- Choose Backup Features That Support Efficiency: Block-level backup, compression, and file- or block-level deduplication significantly reduce storage needs and accelerate backup performance.
- Select the Right Storage: On-premise backups offer localized control, while cloud backup provides scalable, per-GB storage and egress-based pricing.
- Use Automation: Automated backups reduce human error, strengthen data protection, and ensure fast, dependable recovery after an outage.
Nowadays, important business information is more likely found stored on networks and devices than recorded on paper. If a disaster strikes and the safety of your data is compromised, having solid backups in place is the key to reduced RTOs and RPOs as well as having peace of mind.
Multiple backup types are available to store and secure your data safely. Let’s discuss the different types of backups, their features, and their respective benefits:
Ensure efficient backup and fast recovery of your critical data.
Types of backups
Though a variety of backups are available, the three main backup types are
- full,
- incremental, and
- differential.
Each type performs a unique backup that results in distinct outcomes.
What is a full backup?
A full backup is the simplest type of backup available. Each time a backup is performed, it makes a copy of the entire data set. This includes everything from file and folder backups of individual documents to image backups of entire operating systems.
Only one full backup needs to be performed at a time to ensure you’ll have access to all your digital information from the time the operation is finished. It should also be noted that a full backup differs from a synthetic full backup, which combines the latest full backup with incremental changes made to it, making it closely connected to the next backup type.
What is an incremental backup?
Starting with a full backup, an incremental backup will simply back up only the data changed since the last backup instance. The following incremental backups will only save new changes that have not been backed up yet, ensuring stored data remains up to date and consistent.
In addition, while an incremental backup strategy involves occasional full backups on a periodic basis, an incremental-forever backup strategy just requires one full backup, followed by incremental backups indefinitely, as the name implies.
What is a differential backup?
Differential backups fall in between full and incremental backups. Like incremental backups, a differential backup also starts with a full backup. However, after the initial full backup, it continues to copy and include changes made to any part of the initial full backup. Differential backups essentially back up any and all changes made to the data after a full backup operation.
For a visual explanation of these backup types, see The Difference Between Full, Incremental, and Differential Backups.
Types of backup features
Each type of backup has different features that make it useful for particular functions. These various features are essential to consider as you decide what backup tool will be the most effective for you.
File-level vs. Block-level
File-level backup and block-level backup are two of the most common methods to store backed-up data.
On the one hand, file-level backup is very straightforward because, during a backup instance, every file is evaluated to see whether any changes were made. For example, if a file has had any changes made to it, the whole file is copied and added to the backup storage. It’s a very comprehensive backup and is ideal if you don’t have a large amount of data.
On the other hand, block-level backup uses blocks to structure the copies of your data. However, for every backup that occurs, it’ll only backup the segments in the file that have had any changes. It’s very methodical and more particular about the data it copies, making this method faster and more efficient. Block-level backup is also typically preferred because it’s performed more quickly and helps you save storage space.
Compression and deduplication
Compression is an important backup feature that helps businesses maximize the use of their storage space. For example, compressing a backup means condensing the data down to its most important information. Doing so removes any data that isn’t necessary and shrinks down files to save storage space.
Deduplication is another way to get rid of unnecessary information in backups. In this case, you’re removing unnecessary duplicates.
- File-level deduplication removes entire repeat files, but unfortunately, you can’t delete smaller data segments from the file.
- Block-level deduplication involves the removal of duplicate blocks of information, which can be smaller than a single file.
Furthermore, while in-line deduplication involves the removal of duplicate data in real time, post-process deduplication starts with the writing of data before the deletion of duplicates. Enterprises often use global deduplication as well to erase data copies across tenants or repositories.
Backup storage
The two kinds of backup storage most widely available are on-premise or cloud. On-premise backup uses devices and hardware to store data backups on a local server. Though there are many up-front costs for on-prem storage, some organizations may prefer it so they can have complete control over securing their business data locally.
Cloud backup consists of data stored on a network of remote servers. Businesses don’t need to pay for expensive machines and servers to store their data because the cloud provider covers those expenses. For example, cloud storage billing typically charges once a month or on a per-GB stored/egress basis to cover your business’s storage expenses. This type also allows for on-demand access to the stored data from anywhere you have a secure internet connection.
Automation
Automation is a valuable feature that makes backing up your data easier. You can simply schedule what, where, and when you’d like backups to occur using automated software. Simply put, you can avoid the risk of forgetting to backup any of your data and let the backup tool do the work for you.
Automated backups enable you to easily protect your data so you’re prepared to recover from any potential disaster. This provides benefits such as
- avoiding human error,
- ensuring all your data is backed up, and
- supplying a dependable resource for data restoration.
Nowadays, backup automation goes above and beyond scheduling backups to cover self-healing, AI-assisted backup health monitoring, and policy-based automation.
The benefits of different types of backup benefits
Each type of backup solution provides benefits that make it ideal for some situations but impractical for others. Considering the benefits of all types will allow you to choose the best backup tool for your business.
Full backup
Full backups are beneficial because they make data backup and restoration easier. They’re also simple because you know that all of your data will be copied every time an operation is completed.
Performing a restoration from a full backup is direct and painless. If your data is compromised and you need to restore your system to a previous state, using an up-to-date full backup means taking only one step to restore all your digital information.
Incremental Backup
One advantage of incremental backups is that they require significantly less storage space than full or differential backups. For example, the copies of data are very small in size since incremental backups only make a single copy of any data alterations.
Another benefit of incremental backup operations is the increased speed of backups. Since the changes made to data are just a fraction of the full data, incremental backups are completed in a fraction of the time compared to full backups.
Differential backup
Differential backups offer benefits that fall in between those full and incremental backups. As such, the speed of these backups is much faster than that of full backups but not as much as that of incremental backups.
One significant benefit of differential backups is that data restoration for this method is relatively easy and flexible and doesn’t require you to have the most storage. On any given day that you want or need to perform a restore operation, it only requires the last full and last differential backup to perform a complete backup.
Automate incremental and block‑level backups with NinjaOne.
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NinjaOne offers a backup solution to help you maintain and store your crucial IT information. With features such as full image and block-level incremental backup, various storage options, and more, Ninja can help you protect all your essential IT and device data.
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