backup software

(tool, software)Software for doing a backup, oftenincluded as part of the operating system.

Backup software should provide ways to specify what files getbacked up and to where. It may include its own schedulingfunction to automate the procedure or, preferably, work withgeneric scheduling facilities. It may include facilities formanaging the backup media (e.g. maintaining an index of tapes)and for restoring files from backups.

Examples are Unix's dump command and Windows'sntbackup.

backup software

Software that copies data from a single machine or from selected computers in a network to a storage medium. At periodic intervals, a backup of the entire hard drive or of selected files and folders can be performed. Backup programs can also be set up to back up files automatically right after they have been updated and saved.

When the Hard Disk Crashes
Company and personal data are the most valuable information to back up. However, if only data are backed up, the OS and applications have to be re-installed, which can be time consuming and costly, not to mention aggravating. The method often recommended is to back up the entire system, including OS and applications. After a disk crash, everything can be restored to the replacement hard drive, and users can resume from that backup point. See backup storage, backup types, backup server, HSM, data recovery and active archiving.

Built In

Rebit, Inc. (www.rebit.com) offers software that performs a variety of backup tasks and also sells disks with the software pre-installed. This 500GB drive saved the author of this encyclopedia a ton of installation woes. No more than three days after making a full backup on this unit, the computer's hard disk failed completely. When the drive was replaced, the Rebit "frog" restored the entire system perfectly.