Backup Overview


Regular backup of local hard disks prevents data loss from a disk or drive failure, disk controller errors, power outages, viruses, and other serious problems. Careful planning of backup operations and reliable equipment can make file recovery easier and faster.

Using Backup, you can back up data to tape, optical disc, or a compressed file. You can also store your backup files on a network share.

Backup Types

Deciding which type of backup to use depends on your organization s needs. The two major considerations are the value of the data and the amount of data that has changed since the last normal or incremental backup.

You can perform any of the following types of backup:

Normal

A normal backup copies all selected files and marks each as having been backed up. Normal backups are the easiest to use for restoring files because you need only the most recent backup file or tape to restore all of the backed up files. Normal backups take the most time because every file that is selected is backed up, regardless of whether it has changed since the last backup.

Incremental

An incremental backup reduces the time required to complete the backup process by saving only files that have been created or changed since the last normal or incremental backups. It marks files so that you will know if a specific file has been backed up. You need to create a complete normal backup of your system before you can run incremental backups. If you use a combination of normal and incremental backups to restore your data, you must have the last normal backup set of media as well as every incremental backup in chronological order since the last normal backup.

Differential

A differential backup can reduce the time required to complete the backup process by copying files that have been created or changed since the last normal or incremental backup. It does not mark files as backed up. You need to create a complete normal backup of your system before you run differential backups. If you use a combination of normal and differential backups, you must have the last normal backup media set and the last differential backup sets to restore your data.

Copy

A copy backup copies all selected files, but it does not mark each copied file as backed up. Copying is a useful temporary method to back up files between normal and incremental backups; it does not affect other backup operations.

Daily

A daily backup copies all selected files that have been modified on the day that the daily backup is performed. The backed up files are not marked as backed up.

Some backup types use a backup marker, also known as an archive attribute, to track when a file has been backed up. When the file changes, Windows XP Professional marks the file to be backed up again. Files or directories that have been moved to new locations are not marked for backup. Backup allows you to back up only files with this marker set and to choose whether or not to mark files when they are backed up.

Caution 

Backup protects against data loss caused by a virus. Because some viruses take weeks to appear, keep normal backup tapes for at least a month to make sure that you can restore a system to its uninfected status.

Storage and Media

Windows XP Professional can back up files to a variety of storage devices. Data can be backed up to tape drives, disk volumes, removable disks, and network shares, or to a library of discs or tapes in a media pool controlled by a robotic changer. If you do not have a separate storage device, you can back up to a local hard disk or to floppy disks.

Storage Devices

Storage technology changes rapidly, so it is important to research the merits of various media before you make a purchase. When you select a storage device, consider storage device and media costs, as well as reliability and capacity. Ideally, a storage device has more than enough capacity to back up the combined data of all local hard disks and can detect and correct errors during backup-and-restore operations. For information about specific storage devices, see the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) link on the Web Resources page at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/reskits/webresources

Tip 

To make sure that your storage devices and media work correctly, verify your backups by performing test restores.

Media Types

The most common medium is magnetic tape. Commonly used tape drives for backup include a quarter-inch cartridge, digital data storage (DDS), 8mm cassette, and digital linear tape (DLT). High-capacity, high-performance tape drives typically use small computer system interface (SCSI) controllers. Other types of media include magnetic discs, optical discs, and CD ROMs recordable CD ROM (CD R) and rewritable CD ROM (CD RW).

Note 

Backup does not support backing up directly to CD R or CD RW devices. You can back up to a file, and then copy that backup file to a CD R or CD RW. The restore process can be accomplished directly from the CD R.

Security Considerations

Several steps are required to enhance the security and operation of your backup-and-restore operations. You need to take steps to secure your backup media.

When you develop a backup plan, consider the following methods:

Backup and Restore Rights

In many cases, the local administrator performs backup and restore operations on Windows XP Professional systems. However, when Windows XP Professional is used as a file server in a peer-to-peer, local area network (LAN), backup and restore rights can be given to a user without granting full administrative privileges.

If you are the system administrator of a networked computer with shared volumes or of a publicly used computer, you need to extend backup and restore rights only to those users who are responsible for backing up the computer. You can do this by adding users to the Backup Operators local group. In a high-security environment, only you need the ability to restore files, although it is a good idea to train personnel to perform all restore tasks in the event that you are unavailable.

To add a user to the Backup Operators group

  1. In Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools.

  2. Double-click the Computer Management icon.

  3. In the console tree, click Local Users and Groups, and then double-click Groups in the details pane.

  4. Double-click the Backup Operators group, and then click Add.

  5. Enter the user s name, and then click OK.

Caution 

A person who does not have permission to write to a file might have permission to restore the file. During a restore operation, such permission conflicts are ignored and the existing file can be overwritten.

File Permissions

In Windows XP Professional, access to NTFS files is limited by NTFS file and folder permissions, share permissions, and file attributes. You cannot back up or restore NTFS files to which you do not have access rights unless you are a member of either the Administrators or Backup Operators local group.

Note 

Neither of the file allocation table (FAT) file systems (FAT16 and FAT32) provides file permissions.

Backup Media Storage

Store some data off-site for long-term storage or to have available in the event of a disaster; however, other data needs to be readily available.

Caution 

Tape cartridges last longer in cool, humidity-controlled locations. Your storage area must also be free of magnetic fields, such as those near the backs of computer terminals and telephone equipment.

Daily backups full and incremental

Store media in a fireproof safe or cabinet to protect against natural disaster, theft, and sabotage.

Copies of cartridges

If more than one copy of a software program is purchased, store one off-site if possible. If you have only one copy, back it up to a cartridge, label it as a backup, and store the original off-site. If you have to reinstall software, you can restore it from the backup cartridge to a computer that is running Windows XP Professional.

For highly confidential data that must be stored off-site, consider assistance from a company that specializes in secure data storage. If the cost or logistics of such protection is too great, use an alternative solution, such as a safe-deposit box or an off-site fireproof safe that is designed to protect magnetic media.

For maximum security, store the following items off-site:

Tip 

Make sure that your off-site storage location is bonded.




Microsoft Windows XP Professional Resource Kit 2003
Microsoft Windows XP Professional Resource Kit 2003
ISBN: N/A
EAN: N/A
Year: 2005
Pages: 338
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