Backup software are computer programs used to perform backup

Backup

In information technology, a backup or the process of backing up is making copies of data which may be used to restore the original after a data loss event. The verb form is back up in two words, whereas the noun is backup....

; they create supplementary exact copies of files, databases or entire computers. These programs may later use the supplementary copies to restore the original contents in the event of data loss

Data loss

Data loss is an error condition in information systems in which information is destroyed by failures or neglect in storage, transmission, or processing. Information systems implement backup and disaster recovery equipment and processes to prevent data loss or restore lost data.Data loss is...

.

Key features

There are several features of backup software that make it more effective in backing up data.

Volumes

Voluming

Volume (compression)

A volume is a term in data compression for a file that has been compressed and split into different parts.There are many advantages in having a compression utility with the ability for compression into volumes. First, it allows an individual to download the file in segments at his or her own pace...

 allows the ability to compress and split backup data into separate parts for storage on smaller, removable media

Removable media

In computer storage, removable media refers to storage media which is designed to be removed from the computer without powering the computer off.Some types of removable media are designed to be read by removable readers and drives...

 such as CDs. It was often used because CDs were easy to transport off-site and inexpensive compared to hard drives or server

Server (computing)

In the context of client-server architecture, a server is a computer program running to serve the requests of other programs, the "clients". Thus, the "server" performs some computational task on behalf of "clients"...

s.

However, the recent increase in hard drive capacity and decrease in drive cost has made voluming a far less popular solution. The introduction of small, portable, durable USB drives

Disk enclosure

A disk enclosure is essentially a specialized chassis designed to hold and power disk drives while providing a mechanism to allow them to communicate to one or more separate computers. Drive enclosures provide power to the drives therein and convert the data sent across their native data bus into a...

, and the increase in broadband

Broadband

The term broadband refers to a telecommunications signal or device of greater bandwidth, in some sense, than another standard or usual signal or device . Different criteria for "broad" have been applied in different contexts and at different times...

 capacity has provided easier and more secure methods of transporting backup data off-site.

Data compression

Since hard drive space has cost, compressing

Data compression

In computer science and information theory, data compression, source coding or bit-rate reduction is the process of encoding information using fewer bits than the original representation would use....

 the data will reduce the size allowing for less drive space to be used to save money.

Remote backup

Several factors have contributed to a surge in the use of remote or offsite backup of data to geographically distant sites.

1. The rapid growth of data and its importance to business.
2. The rapid adoption of high-speed broadband internet.
3. The falling price of disk drive technology.
4. The rise of risks such as hackers, natural disasters, fires, damage by power outages, malware attacks, terrorist attacks, hardware failure.

These structural changes present opportunities for young startups, which are serving this growing market with next-generation backup technologies that automatically back up data to offsite data centers (sometimes called vaults) via the Internet. Many bank

Bank

A bank is a financial institution that serves as a financial intermediary. The term "bank" may refer to one of several related types of entities:...

s, stock exchange

Stock exchange

A stock exchange is an entity that provides services for stock brokers and traders to trade stocks, bonds, and other securities. Stock exchanges also provide facilities for issue and redemption of securities and other financial instruments, and capital events including the payment of income and...

s, and other large institutions often do this to ensure data integrity.

Access to open files

Many backup solutions offer a plug-in for access to exclusive, in use, and locked files.

Incremental backups

Backup solutions generally support incremental backups in addition to full backups, so only material that is newer or changed compared to the backed up data is actually backed up, in order to dramatically increase the speed of the backup process.

Schedules

Backup schedules are usually supported to reduce maintenance of the backup tool and increase the reliability of the backups.

Encryption

To prevent data theft

Data theft

Data theft is a growing problem primarily perpetrated by office workers with access to technology such as desktop computers and hand-held devices capable of storing digital information such as USB flash drives, iPods and even digital cameras...

, some backup software offers cryptography features to protect the backup.

Transaction mechanism

To prevent loss of previously backed up data during a backup, some backup software (e.g. Areca Backup

Areca Backup

Areca Backup is a personal file backup software developed in Java. It is released under the GNU General Public License 2.- Features :Areca Backup includes a backup engine, as well as a graphical user interface and a command-line interface. A big drawback of Areca Backup is that you have to keep...

) offer
Transaction mechanism (with commit / rollback management) for all critical processes (such as backups or merges) to guarantee the backups' integrity.