Data Backup Definitions
This glossary explains the meaning of key words and phrases that information technology (IT) and business professionals use when discussing data backup and related software products. You can find additional definitions by visiting WhatIs.com or using the search box below.
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R
removable media
Removable media is any type of storage device that can be removed from a computer while the system is running. Examples of removable media include CDs, DVDs and Blu-Ray disks, as well as diskettes and USB drives
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ROBO backup (remote data backup)
ROBO backup is the process of copying and archiving data created by remote and branch offices (ROBOs) and storing it securely.
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S
serverless backup
Serverless data backup removes backup procedures from production servers so that the time usually spent on backup functions can be used for other server tasks.
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source deduplication
Source deduplication is the removal of redundancies from data before transmission to the backup target.
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storage snapshot
A storage snapshot is a set of reference markers for data at a particular point in time. A snapshot acts like a detailed table of contents, providing the user with accessible copies of data that they can roll back to.
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T
tape backup
Tape can help fix an unstructured data backup issue and is a good archiving medium. Explore tape's strengths and weaknesses, plus important tips for protecting tape backups.
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tape library
In data storage, a tape library is a collection of magnetic tape cartridges and tape drives.
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tape shoe-shining or back-hitching
Tape shoe-shining (also known as tape back-hitching) refers to the back and forth motion a tape drive makes when the data stream to the drive is interrupted.
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target deduplication
Target deduplication is the removal of redundancies from a backup transmission as it passes through an appliance sitting between the source and the backup target.
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Tower of Hanoi backups
Tower of Hanoi is a complex tape backup strategy that's useful for archiving data for an extended period of time in an economical manner by using a cycle of exponential retention periods instead of a large number of tapes.
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V
Veeam Backup & Replication
Veeam Backup & Replication is a software product developed by Veeam Software to back up, restore and replicate data on virtual machines (VMs).
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Veritas Backup Exec (Symantec Backup Exec)
Veritas Backup Exec is a data protection software product that supports virtual, physical and cloud platforms.
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Veritas NetBackup (Symantec NetBackup)
Veritas NetBackup -- known as Symantec NetBackup from 2005 to 2016 -- is a backup and recovery software suite designed for enterprise users.
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virtual server backup
Virtual server backup is the copying of data stored on a virtual server to guard against data loss.
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virtual tape library (VTL)
A virtual tape library (VTL) is a storage system consisting of hard disk drives (HDDs) that looks and acts like a physical tape library.