How are Servers Backed Up?
Backup servers are powerful computers that are responsible for storing and protecting critical network data from threats such as natural disasters, extended power outages, human error, and cyberattacks. Servers can be local or cloud-based and can back up data files, folders, databases, hard drives, applications, and more.
Local backup. The organization’s servers or other devices, such as disks and flash drives, that hold copies of data on the physical premises are referred to as local backups. Local backups are not dependent on third-parties or the web, and the advantages of local backups are that they are a fast and accessible means of backing up organizational data. A local backup server consists of a hardware server with significant storage capacity. The backup schedule for each computer may be installed with a client utility application or it may be configured with the host operating system (OS). At the pre-scheduled time, the host connects with the backup server to initiate the backup process. In the event of a data loss, data corruption, or disaster recovery situation, the backup may be retrieved for recovery purposes. Disadvantages of local backup include vulnerability to events like floods and fires.
Cloud backup. With cloud backup services, a backup server is remotely connected through the internet via a vendor application programming interface (API) or a web interface. Vendors and cloud providers offer Backup as a Service (BaaS) solutions where local data can be pushed into public or private clouds. Server backup solutions are designed to backup server data to another local server, a cloud server, or a hybrid system. Server backup solutions should include support for diverse file types, specified backup locations, scheduling, automation, backup management features, partition selection, data compression, backup type selections, and should be scalable. An advantage of cloud backup is that it is much more secure than storing backup data locally. A disadvantage of cloud backup are concerns over transfer speed.
Local and cloud backups have their benefits, but a hybrid backup solution may be your best bet as hybrid backup solutions uphold the 3-2-1 Principle of Backups:
- 3 Copies of your data
- 2 Types of storage
- 1 Off-site copy
After you have established the best methods for your server backups, consider the types of backups that are available, and how often you may wish to deploy them:
Full backup. Copies everything, heavy data load, slow backup, high restore speed, restores the full backup.
Differential backup. Copies new changes, medium data load, fast backup, high restore speed, restores the last full backup and the last differential backup.
Incremental backup. Copies new changes, small data load, fast backup, slow restore speed, restores last full backup and all incremental changes.