What is the Difference Between Archival and Backup?

The main difference between archival and backup lies in their purpose and the type of data they store. Here are the key differences between the two:

• Purpose: Backups are primarily used for operational recoveries, such as recovering data from hardware failure, data corruption, or loss. Archives, on the other hand, store unchanging data that is no longer in active use but needs to be retained for long-term retention and space management.
• Type of Data: Backups are snapshots of current and active data, typically stored for short-term use. Archives store data that is no longer changing or shouldn't be changing, and they are usually stored for long-term retention and regulatory compliance.
• Location: Backups are copies of data stored on the same server or storage system as the original data. Archives are moved from the primary storage location to an alternate location, freeing up storage space and allowing the data to be searchable.
• Retention: Backups are retained for as long as the data is in active use, while archives are retained for a specific period or indefinitely, depending on the organization's requirements and regulations.
• Accessibility: Backups are usually stored in a manner that allows for quick restoration of the original data. Archives, although not immediately accessible, can still be made available to employees through file stubbing or other methods.

In summary, backups are used for rapid recovery of live, changing data, while archives store unchanging data that is no longer in use but needs to be retained for long-term retention and space management. Both backups and archives serve different purposes and are essential for a comprehensive data management strategy.

Comparative Table: Archival vs Backup

The main difference between archival and backup lies in their purposes and the data they store. Here is a table highlighting the key differences between the two:

In summary:

• Backup: A backup is a copy of your current and active data, which can be used for operational recoveries if needed. It is mainly used for short-term retention and typically stored on local or hot network storage.

• Archive: An archive is a repository for data that needs to be kept for a long period of time but is no longer in use or changing frequently. It is mainly used for long-term retention and typically stored on tape archives or cold storage media.