Mirror backups
Mirror backups, also known as copy backups, involve creating an exact copy of the source data in a separate location without any form of compression or incremental changes. Here’s a detailed discussion of mirror backups.
The characteristics of mirror backups include:
- Full copy of source data: Mirror backups involve copying the entire dataset, creating an identical, uncompressed replica of the source data
- Independent of incremental changes: Unlike incremental or differential backups that capture changes made since the last backup, mirror backups are standalone copies, independent of previous backups
- Not storage-efficient: Mirror backups are not storage-efficient because they replicate the entire dataset every time, even if only a small portion has changed
The advantages of mirror backups include:
- Simplicity: Mirror backups are straightforward and easy to understand. They involve a direct, full copy of the source data without complex algorithms for tracking changes.
- Independence: Each mirror backup is independent, making it suitable for scenarios where you might want a standalone copy of the data, unaffected by the history of incremental changes.
- Quick recovery: Since each mirror backup is a complete copy of the data, the recovery process is straightforward and quick.
The considerations for mirror backups include:
- Storage requirements: Mirror backups consume a significant amount of storage space, as they duplicate the entire dataset
- Time and resources: Creating mirror backups can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, especially when dealing with large datasets
The use cases include:
- Data archiving: Mirror backups can be used for archiving purposes when you need a complete, independent copy of the data at a specific point in time
- Data duplication: In scenarios where maintaining an exact replica is crucial, such as for regulatory compliance or data validation, mirror backups can be useful
Here’s a comparison with other backup types:
- Differential and incremental backups: Mirror backups contrast with differential and incremental backups, which focus on capturing changes since the last backup, making them more storage-efficient but potentially complex
- Synthetic full backups: Unlike synthetic full backups that consolidate changes into a new full backup, mirror backups create standalone, complete copies
In summary, mirror backups offer a straightforward approach to data protection by creating full, independent copies of the source data. While they may not be as storage-efficient as incremental or differential backups, they are valuable in scenarios where maintaining exact replicas or creating independent copies is a priority.
