What is the Difference Between Backup and Recovery?

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The main difference between backup and recovery lies in their purposes and the processes they involve. Here are the key differences:

  1. Backup:
  • Refers to creating copies of important documents and data stored on your computer or server.
  • The primary purpose is to store a copy of the original data, which can be used in case of data loss.
  • Involves backing up your database, videos, and other media.
  • Can be achieved by storing a copy of the original data separately or in a database on storage.
  • Examples of backup types include full backup, incremental backup, local backup, and mirror backup.
  1. Recovery:
  • Refers to the process of recovering deleted or damaged data from backups.
  • The primary purpose is to restore lost, corrupted, or damaged data to its original state.
  • Involves restoring the lost data in case of failure.
  • Requires implementing some recovery processes when the data was backed up but still lost.

In summary, backup is the process of creating copies of data for future use in case of data loss, while recovery is the process of restoring lost, corrupted, or damaged data from those backups. Both backup and recovery are essential tools for keeping data safe and ensuring its availability when needed.

Comparative Table: Backup vs Recovery

The main difference between backup and recovery lies in their purposes and the processes they involve. Here is a table summarizing the differences:

Aspect Backup Recovery
Definition Backup refers to creating copies of important data stored on your computer, such as databases, videos, and other media. Recovery refers to the process of restoring lost, corrupted, or damaged data from backups in case of failure.
Objective The primary goal of backup is to create an extra copy of data for protection in case of data loss. The primary goal of recovery is to restore original data in case of a failure.
Backup Types Full Backup, Differential Backup, Incremental Backup, and more. Incremental Recovery, Point-in-Time Recovery, and more.
Process Backup is a replication process of data, creating a copy of the original data separately or in a database on storage. Recovery is a process of retrieving lost data to its original state, involving data changes.
Examples Backup refers to storing a copy of original data separately, such as copying a database to another storage location. Recovery refers to restoring lost data in case of a failure, such as restoring data from the last transaction using SnapManager.

In summary, backup is the act of creating copies of original data for protection in case of data loss, while recovery is the process of restoring lost data from those backups in case of a failure. Both backup and recovery are essential components of data protection and management.