Virtualization Snapshots

Data storage/Backup
Importance of Data Storage
• Data storage security is very important no matter what industry you
are a part of.
• Too many businesses lack efficient and modern technologies that can
keep their data safe.
• Data loss can be a major roadblock on the path to successful scaling
and development.
• No matter the size of the company.
Data Loss Factors
• data loss can be caused by quite a few different factors
• Malware and viruses
• Power outage
• Accidental damage

it's necessary to secure an enterprise's data.

Backup and Snapshot
Two popular options involve Backup and Snapshot
• Both of these processes are used to reduce data loss scenarios by
essentially "backing up" your data.
• They are both very different from one another and each boasts its
own use cases.
The Pros of Server Backups
• If you upload backups to the cloud, they can be accessed from
anywhere at any time.
• They can easily be moved to the cloud, an off-site location, or a data
center.
• Server backups are highly efficient, reliable, and ideal for long-term
data center protection.
• They are an excellent choice for disaster recovery.
• Server backups do not require both on-site and off-site storage.
The Cons of Server Backups

• The backup process can take longer to complete, depending on the volume of
data you are backing up.

When to Use Server Backups

• Ideally, you should always consider file backups if you want to invest in long-
term data protection.
• If you host multiple projects on a server, it allows you to back them up and
thus restore them individually without impacting other projects
• For less dire scenarios, you can use incremental backups in order to only back
up the data that has changed recently, so you can save up on storage space.
What is a Snapshot?
• A Snapshot is a quick "photo" of your server's file system for a specific
period.
• This photo of your file system is typically used to restore entire
servers in the event of data loss or corruption.

Snapshots can be quite useful in some scenarios, and certainly ideal

when combined with Server Backup.
The Pros of Snapshots
• Snapshots are small and can be made quickly and easily without too much of an
effect on the server.
• They allow for better app availability, quick recovery, simplified backup
management of big data volumes, and reduced exposure to data loss.
• Snapshots can be scheduled and used when necessary for system backup.
• They can nearly eliminate the need for backup windows and lower the cost of
ownership.
• Data that is corrupted or has been deleted can be brought back through
snapshots.
• Rather than restoring a whole system, one can switch to replicated Snapshot
copies since they are already in their native format.
The Cons of Snapshots
• Snapshot backups rely on the system's cloud provider and have to be
on the server provider cloud-only.
• If something wrong happens in your provider data center your risk
losing your Snapshots as well.
• For in-house snapshots, if a server has too many snapshots, the
system will slow down product volume.
• It's worth noting that this only happens through copy-on-write
snapshot data. Most snapshot systems have negligible lag.
When to Use Snapshots
• It's a very practical solution for system backup if it's used with both
on-site and off-site backup systems.
• If your startup or enterprise already has these storage systems in
place, snapshots can be a great solution to data backup and security.
• They are best used for short-term situations.
Differences between a server/file backup and
snapshots
Backups can be stored in additional locations, the Snapshots require both on-site and off-site
same drive, or even the same server. They do not
require off-site and on-site storage. storage and must always be stored in the
same places where the original system data
is located.

Backups can have differences between when the Snapshots are "photos" of your server that preserve it
backup began and ended. exactly as it was at a given time.

The process of creating backups can be long and Snapshots are instantaneous and take a lot less time
tedious. to complete. Snapshots take less time to copy data as
well.

Backup files only include the file system. Snapshots can be made of different types of systems.
These include files, apps, settings, etc.
Differences between a server/file backup and
snapshots
Backups exist in different specific locations and can
easily be restored. Backups are also usually
verifiable.
it's generally recommended to opt for backups if you
need long-term coverage.
Snapshots are not exactly backups. They can be used
as part of the backup process (and should be) but are
mostly short-term solutions. Snapshots are deleted
when a backup is complete.
Snapshots are designed for short-term use and
storage. They are generally only useful if you need to
revert to a very recent version of your server on the
same infrastructure.