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Glossary
Archival Backup
- A type of back up where all files are copied to the backup storage
device. This is the type of backup that most often comes to mind when the term backup is mentioned. Archival backups can also be
referred to as full backups. Contrast this term with incremental or
differential backups, in which only modified files are copied. Sound confusing? It's usually
easier to just compare two types of backups together, understanding their main differences, and then springboarding from there. Don't
try to comprehend this all at once. In most cases it won't even be necessary. More than sixty per cent of all
backups done in non-military and non-governmental concerns are archival backups or full back ups. It is only
necessary to get creative with your back up strategy when huge amounts of data are being considered but only perhaps a tiny fraction
of the data is being modified on a daily basis.
Backup
-
To copy files to a second medium (a disk or tape) as a precaution in the event that the first medium fails. A basic rule of thumb
regarding data is to back up your files regularly. It is highly recommended that backups be saved to different locations.
This means at the very least, to a different device, if a hard drive fails on the first machine, all files may be lost! However
it is also advisable to have a copy of your backups at another physical location, such as a different building, state, country or
planet. (You might chuckle at that today...) This would protect you from a catastrophic event, such as a fire, tsunami, or a
large night club where college students hang out after dark. There are several different types of backups, although the majority
of backups can be handled by instituting a full backup. This takes everything from either a device,
Server or database. For more information also see Archival Backup,
Incremental Backup, Differential Incremental Backup,
and lastly: Cumulative Incremental Backup.
Client
-
The term 'client' or 'client machine' refers to a user's workstation that is attached to a network. It
pulls either data and/or applications from a 'server'. The term can also refer to a portable computer
that is plugged into the network.
Client/Server
-
An architecture in which the user's PC, the 'client', is the requesting machine
and the 'server' is the supplying machine, kind of like the waitress, but needs to be rebooted more often,
both of which are connected via a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN).
Cumulative Incremental Backup
-
This would be a backup of all of your data files which have been modified since your last archival backup. Compare this with
a Differential Incremental Backup. Confused? It's really not that complicated.
It's hard to imagine a real world application of when this would be useful if you are a 'mom and pop' type of business. If very
little data changes versus the amount of total data on hand versus overall storage capacity, then stick with
a full backup and you'll be fine. No need to get fancy.
Differential Backup
-
The backup of all of your data files which have been modified since the last incremental
backup or archival backup. Compare with Cumulative Incremental Backup.
Not to be confused with a differential pickup. Or a torrential hiccup. Or an illegal stickup.
Enterprise
-
The terms 'enterprise' or 'enterprise wide' refer to the entire organization, including all of its
subsidiaries. It implies a large corporation or government agency, but it may also refer to a company
of any size with many systems and users to manage.
Full Backup
-
A type of backup where all files are copied to the backup storage device. This is the type of backup
that most often comes to mind when the term backup is mentioned. Full backups are also called
archival backups. Contrast with incremental or
differential backups, in which only modified files are copied. If you are a novice and
this seems overwhelming, you are not alone. Go on a diet that you hate, for two solid weeks, become miserable, then come back
here and it will all make sense and all seem so simple!
Incremental Backup
-
Any backup where only the data objects which have been modified since the time of some previous backup are
copied. A collective term for cumulative incremental backups and
differential incremental backups. Contrast with
an archival backup, in which all files are backed up regardless of whether they have been modified
since the last backup.
IP Address
-
The terms 'IP Address' is literally derived from the phrase 'Internet Protocol
Address'. It is the address of a machine attached to an IP network or 'TCP/IP' network. Each
client machine, server and network device must have its own unique IP address for each separate network connection or
network interface. Every IP packet contains a source IP address as well as a destination
IP address. This makes intra-network communicatins possible.
Packet
-
The term 'packet' or 'IP packet' is a A block of data that is transmitted across a network in a 'packet-switched' system.
Another acceptable term for 'packet' is 'datagram'.
Ping
-
The term 'ping' stands for 'Packet INternet Groper'.
It is a program used to determine whether a particular IP address is reachable online by sending out a packet and then
waiting for a response. Pinging is most often used to see if a user or server is online. It is most often used when
client machines are having troubles connecting to servers.
Printer Drivers
-
The term 'printer driver', often misquoted as 'print driver' refers to software that encodes a computer application's
printing request into printer based language.
Relational Database
-
A database that maintains a set of separate, related files (tables), but combines data elements from
the files for queries and reports when required. The concept was developed iback in 1970, with the objective
of accommodating a user's ad hoc request for selected data. Most production databases use an RDBMS,
or a Relational DataBase Management System.
Relational Nightmare
-
This is when you meet the parents of the person you are dating, and, well, everything that they told you is actually true.
Server
-
A server is computer in a network that is shared by multiple users or 'clients'.
It generally 'serves' or pushes data and/or applications to the clients.
Total
-
All. Everything. It can also refer to an annoyingly healthy breakfast cereal, that kicks Special K's ..... or what you do to a
car when a tree runs out in front of you...
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