Copying the system. Backup system. Incremental backup

Preparation of a new server to work should be started with settings reserve copy. Everything seemed to know about it - but sometimes even experienced system administrators Adjust unforgivable errors. And the point here is not only that the task of setting up a new server must be solved very quickly, but also in the fact that it is not always clear which backup method should be used.

Of course, the ideal way to suit everyone, it is impossible to create: everywhere there are pluses and cons. But at the same time, it is quite real to choose the method as possible under the specifics of the project specifically.

When you select a backup method, you must first of all pay attention to the following criteria:

1. Speed \u200b\u200b(time) backup to storage;
2. Speed \u200b\u200b(time) recovery from backup;
3. How many copies can be kept with a limited repository size (backup server);
4. Risk volume due to non-inflexibility of backup copies, unquestion of the method of performing backups, full or partial backup loss;
5. Overhead: the load level created by the server when copying, reducing the speed of the service response, etc.
6. The cost of renting all the services used.

In this article, we will tell about the basic ways of backing up servers running Linux systems and about the most typical problems that beginners may encounter in this very important area of \u200b\u200bsystem administration.

Scheme of the organization of storage and recovery from backups

When choosing a system for organizing a reservation method, you should pay attention to the following baselights:

1. Backups cannot be stored in one place with redundant data. If you store a backup on one disk array with your data, you will lose it in case of damage to the main disk array.
2. Mirroring (RAID1) cannot be compared with backup. The raid protects you only from a hardware problem with one of the disks (and sooner or later such a problem will be, because the disk subsystem is almost always a bottleneck on the server). In addition, when using hardware raids, there is a risk of a controller breakdown, i.e. It is necessary to store his spare model.
3. If you store backups within one rack in a DC or just within one DC, then in such a situation there are also certain risks (this can be found, for example,.
4. If you store backups in different DC, the costs of the network and the recovery rate from the remote copy are increasing.

Often the cause of data recovery is damaged to the file system or disks. Those. Backups need to be stored somewhere on a separate server-repository. In this case, the problem can be the "width" of the data transfer channel. If you have a dedicated server, then the backup is very desirable to execute on a separate network interface, and not on the same thing that makes the data exchange with clients. Otherwise, the requests of your client may not "fit" into a limited communication channel. Or because of the traffic of CAPAP clients will not be made on time.

Next, you need to think about the diagram and time of data recovery from the point of view of storage of backups. It may be quite suited to you that backup is performed in 6 hours at night on a repository with a limited access speed, but the recovery of 6 hours is hardly satisfied. So access to backups must be convenient and the data must be copied quickly enough. For example, the recovery of 1TB of data with a 1GB / s band will take almost 3 hours, and this is if you are not "referenced" into the performance of the disk subsystem in the repository and server. And do not forget to add to this time detection of the problem, time to solve the solution, the time to check the integrity of the restored data and the volume of subsequent discontent of customers / colleagues.

Incremental backup

For incremental Only files that have been changed from the time of the previous backup are copied to backup. Subsequent incremental backup adds only files that have been changed since the previous one. On average, the incremental backup takes less time, as it copies fewer files. However, the data recovery process takes longer, since the last full backup data should be restored, plus the data of all subsequent incremental backups. At the same time, in contrast to differential copying, changed or new files are not replaced by the old, and are added to the carrier independently.

Incremental copying is most often done using the RSync utility. With it, you can save a place in the repository, if the number of changes per day is not very large. If the modified files are large, they will be copied completely without replacing previous versions.

The backup process using RSync can be divided into the following steps:

1. A list of files on a reserved server and in the storage, for each file metadata (rights, changes time, etc.) or checksum (when using the -CheckSUM key) are read.
2. If the metadata files differ, the file beats on the blocks and the checksum is considered for each block. Different blocks are pumped into the repository.
3. If during counting control sums or the transfer of the file to it was made a change, its reservation is repeated from the beginning.
4. By default, RSync transmits data via SSH, which means each block of data is additionally encrypted. RSync can also be launched as a daemon and transmit data without encryption by its protocol.

With more detailed information The work of RSync can be found on the official website.

For each file, RSync performs very a large number of operations. If there are many files on the server or if the processor is much loaded, then the backup speed will be significantly reduced.

From the experience we can say that problems on SATA disks (RAID1) start after about 200g data on the server. In fact, everything is finite, depends on the number of inode. And in each case, this value can be shifted both in one and the other way.

After a certain line, the backup time will be very long or simply will not work out per day.

In order not to compare all the files, there is LSyncd. This demon collects information about the changed files, i.e. We will already have a ready-made list for Rsync. It should, however, consider that it gives an additional load on the disk subsystem.

Differential backup

For differential Backup copying Each file that has been changed since the last full backup is copied every time again. Differential copy accelerates the recovery process. All you need is the last full and last differential backup. The popularity of differential backup is growing, as all copies of files are made at certain points in time, which, for example, is very important when infected with viruses.

Differential backup is carried out, for example, using such a utility as RDIFF-backup. When working with this utility, there are the same problems as with incremental backup.

In general, if, when searching for a difference in data, complete files are carried out, problems of this kind of redundancy are similar to problems with RSync.

We want to note separately that if in your backup scheme each file is copied separately, then you can delete / eliminate the files unnecessary to you. For example, it may be CMS cache. In such keshas, \u200b\u200bthere are usually a lot of small files, the loss of which will not affect the correct operation of the server.

Full backup

Full copying usually affects your entire system and all files. Weekly, monthly and quarterly backup implies the creation of a full copy of all data. Usually it is performed on Fridays or during the weekend, when copying a large amount of data does not affect the organization of the organization. Subsequent backups performed from Monday to Thursday to the next full copy can be differential or incremental, mainly to save time and place on the carrier. Complete backup should be carried out at least weekly.

In most publications on the appropriate subject, a full backup is recommended to perform one or twice a week, and the time is the time to use incremental and differential. In such councils there is a reason. In most cases, the full backup time is quite enough. It makes sense to perform it repeatedly, if you do not have the opportunity on the repository side to update the full backup and to ensure the guarantee of the backup of the backup (this may be needed, for example, in cases where you do not trust the scripts available or software for backup.

In fact, the full backup can be divided into 2 parts:

1. Full backup to the file system level;
2. Full backup devices.

Consider their characteristic features on the example:
Root @ Komarov: ~ # DF -H FileSystem Size Used Avail Use% Mounted on / Dev / Mapper / Komarov_System-Root 3.4G 808m 2.4G 25% / / Dev / Mapper / Komarov_System-Home 931g 439g 493g 48% / Home UDEV 383M 4.0k 383m 1% / Dev TMPFS 107M 104K 107M 1% / Run TMPFS 531M 0 531m 0% / TMP None 5.0m 0 5.0m 0% / Run / Lock None 531m 0 531m 0% / Run / SHM / DEV / XVDA1 138M 22m 109m 17% / Boot

We will reserve only / home. Everything else can be quickly restored manually. You can also deploy the configuration management system and connect our / home to it.

Full Backup File System

Typical Representative: DUMP.

The utility creates a "dump" file system. You can create not only a complete, but also an incremental backup. DUMP works with the inode table and "understands" the file structure (so, the rarefied files are compressed).
Create a dump of the running file system "stupid and dangerous", because the FS can change during the creation of a dump. It must be created from the snapshot (a little later we will discuss the features of working with snaps in more detail), unmounted or frozen FS.

This scheme also depends on the number of files, and the time of its execution will grow with an increase in the amount of data on the disk. At the same time, DUMP speed is higher than Rsync.
If you want to resume not a backup copy, but, for example, only a couple of randomly spoiled files), the recovery of such Restore utility files can take too much time

Full backup devices

1. mdraid and DRBD.
   In fact, RAID1 is configured with a disk / raid on the server and a network disk, and from time to time (on the bar frequency) an additional disk is synchronized with the main disk / raid on the server.

   The biggest plus is speed. The time of synchronization depends only on the number of changes made for the last day.
   This backup system is used quite often, but few have aware that the backup copies obtained with its help may be incapable, and that is why. When the disc synchronization is completed, the backup disk is turned off. If we, for example, running a DBMS that writes data on local disk Portions, keeping intermediate data in the cache, there is no guarantee that they generally fall on the backup disk. At best, we will lose part of the variable data. Therefore, such backups are unlikely to be considered reliable.

2. LVM + DD.
   Snapshots are a wonderful instance for creating consistant backups. Before creating a snapshot, you need to reset the FS cache and your software on the disk subsystem.

For example, with one MySQL it will look like this:
$ sudo mysql -e "Flush Tables with Read Lock;" $ sudo mysql -e "Flush Logs;" $ sudo sync $ sudo lvcreate -s -p r -l100% free -n% s_backup / dev / vg /% s $ sudo mysql -e "unlock tables;"

* Colleagues tell stories like someone "Read Lock" sometimes led to dedlocks, but there was never at my memory.

Backups DBMS can be created separately (for example, using binary logs), thereby eliminating the simple to reset the cache. And you can create dumps in the storage, running there instances of the DBMS. Backups of different DBMS is a topic for individual publications.

You can copy the snapshot using a device (for example, RSync with a patch for copying block devices bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id\u003d494313), you can, on blocks and without encryption (Netcat, FTP). You can transfer blocks in a compressed form and mount them to the repository using AVFS, and mount the SMB snaps on the server on the server.

Compression eliminates the problems of transmission rate, channel scuba and location in the repository. But, however, if you do not use AVFS to the repository, you will take a long time on the restoration of only data. If you use AVFS, then come across it "damp".
Alternative to compression blocks - Squashfs: You can underminate, for example, by the Samba section to the server and run mksquashfs, but this utility also works with files, i.e. Depends on their quantity.

In addition, when creating SquashFs is spent quite a lot of RAM, which can easily lead to the call Oom-Killer.

Safety

It is necessary to protect yourself from the situation when the storage or your server will be hacked. If the server is hacked, it is better that there is no right to delete / change files to the repository from the user who records data there.
If the storage is hacked, then the backup user rights on the server is also desirable to limit the maximum.

If the backup channel can be listened, then the encryption means are needed.

Conclusion

Each backup system has its own stakes and its advantages. In this article we tried to highlight some of the nuances when the backup system is selected. We hope that they will help our readers.

As a result, when you select a backup system for your project, you need to test the selected backup type tests and pay attention to:

• backup time in the current stage of the project;
• backup time in case of data will be many times more;
• channel load;
• load on the disk subsystem on the server and in the repository;
• time restore all data;
• recovery time pair of files;
• the need for data consistency, especially the database;
• memory consumption and availability of OOM-KILLER calls;

As a backup solution, you can use Supload and our cloud storage.
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Recently, my girlfriend asked to explain to her how to make data backup. She is a humanitarian, so she needed options in which nothing needs to be tuned. Since she is not a stupid person who loves to understand the problem and make a decision, I decided to collect basic principles for her and describe the pros and cons of certain options (as I see them). Publish here I decided on the case that someone from you come in handy is to help a friend or relative. I will be very happy comments on how it would be possible to make text easier and clearer.

Basic principles

1. Regularity and frequency

Backup data should be the same regular as the reception of the tablets. It is for this discipline that it will be possible to thank if suddenly there was some kind of collapse. Sometimes I even lose just a few working days due to the fact that the backup is not made, it can be very painful. Answer the question - how often the backup can be done, realizing the data for what period of time you would be the least painful to lose. One of the optimal options is backup data once a week on weekends.

Separation

It is desirable that the data is saved to a separate external hard drive (or other media) were stored in a separate location from the main data. The principle is quite obvious - if a problem occurred, it will be localized in one place. For example, if a hard disk broke on a computer, a disk with a backup will function excellent. However, it is worth keeping the balance between ease of access and security. Hard disk, standing next to the computer, significantly increases the motivation to use it for its intended purpose. And at the same time, it is not the safest option for very important data that cannot be lost in any case. That is why there is a backup and archiving of data.

Recoven

As soon as the first backup of the data is made, you must immediately check that this data can be restored from it! This means not only that files become visible. You need to open several files to choose from and checking that they are not spoiled. It is desirable for such an inspection to repeat once in a period (let's say, once a year).

Distribution

Best Practice - Discern data by category. The category may be their importance for you, the frequency of the update, or just the theme.

Often, backup programs make so-called "images". They look like one single file. So in each such image it is better to save various data.

What is it for. These importance requires different handling of them, it is obvious. Its important documents, for sure, will want to keep more carefully than, say, the collection of films. Dividing the update frequency data, for example, save time-occupied backup. Theme - What data is preferably restored to restore in one step together? A bright example of two types of backup, which should be done separately:

Data backup

it documents Word., photos, movies, etc. Also related to this, but often forgotten - bookmarks in the browser, letters in mailbox, address book, calendar with meetings, configuration file of the banking application, etc.

Backup system

We are talking about operating system With all its settings. Such a backup eliminates the need to install the operating system to re-make all the settings, install programs. However, this is not the most of the necessary types of backup.

Where to make backup

1. External hard disk. You can often buy right in the box. There are laptop - such disks are small in size, but more expensive. Ordinary hard drives can be relatively cheap to buy a volume of 2 TB - then for a place on the disk for a long time you don't have to worry.

Quite reliable (if you do not drop and not shake excessively)
+ Relatively inexpensive

You must not forget to connect the disk for a backup
- It is very convenient to carry (does not apply to laptop disks)

2. USB-STICK - suitable as an additional tool when the data would be transferred from one computer to another and / or have at hand. Also, if the data itself does not want to store on the computer.
There is one big but - the flash drive is limited by the number of records, so if it stores the application data on it, which will be recorded intensively, then the USB STICK (USB STICK) will quickly require a long time to live. In addition, in my personal impression, they often break enough. My friend, buying the most expensive flash drives, which were positioned as "not killed", received a broken USB flash drive for a month or different. Fair for the sake of, I must say that I still have no one flash drive, some have already worked for 5. However, only one USB-stick`e would not be stored.

Mobile storage
+ Takes little space
+ Very cheap

Unpredictable reliability

3. Storage of data on a remote server (or in the cloud).

There are pros and cons:

The data will be available not only at home, but also at work, while traveling.
+ Local separation of basic data and backups (for example, if it happens, God forbid, the data is survived)
+ No need to connect a hard drive for a backup, as a rule, everything is done fully automatically.

It is advisable to encrypt the data, as it is not known who can access them
- a large amount of traffic (if it is limited, then problems arise)
-First it is possible to store only data to 2 GB. So, such a backup is an additional cost of expenses.

The list with a good description of the services can be found.

What to do backup

I will give a list of applications to which it is worth paying attention to (in my opinion), when backing up to a hard disk.

From free enjoy popular

1. Genie Backup Manager - a very convenient program, but slows down when working
2. Handy Backup - simple interface, works fast.

Additionally

Often there is an option in the program settings on the backup - make an incremental or differential backup. The practical difference is quite simple. In differential backup, you can save on the spot that it takes. But there are only two possibilities of recovery: the data is in that condition when the full backup + data was made at the time when differential was made.

Incremental Backup also allows you to roll back to any of the moments in the past, when the backup was made. However, especially if changes in the data occurred often, the place will be eaten quickly.

Everyone who is somehow connected with computers is aware of the existence of archivers, and many use them. Archiving and placement of storage files in external memory has been used long ago.

if the memory capacity on the storage selected is not enough to transfer files, it uses archiving with compression. In addition, data compression reduces the cost of storing and transmitting data over the network or on the Internet. Data compression is performed using special archiving programs, such as ZIP, RAR, ARJ, etc., depending on the choice of compression ratio source files (especially text) can decrease in the amount of about four to five times. It should be noted that the data packaging occurs significantly more slowly than their recovery, and that during modern computer performance, you can compress not only rarely used data and programs, but also actively operated.

However, archiving is usually used for long-term information storageIn contrast to the so-called backup, which can also be made with compression, but involves more strictly structuring information, a high degree of automation of the process of archiving and recovering data, as well as work with large amounts of information. We all, of course, we know that important files (and even working environment) It is necessary to archive just in case, but few of us do it regularly. Meanwhile, using those or other means of backup, you can organize this system so that its reservation will become a simple and almost fully automated process.

The need to backup information and its recovery after failures, viral attacks and equipment breakdowns today are aware not only corporate, but also individual users, including those who do not use computer networks, and works on a single home computer. Ensuring the reliability of reservation, storing and restoring information after failures is one of the main conditions for the successful work on the computer.

Basic operating systems

the pilroryal organization of redundancy involves automatic copying: the files are placed on the media intended for them in such a way that during the work the user does not even notice. The explosive increase in the capacity of the hard drives used has led to the fact that the organization of the software and hardware complex to preserve such volumes has complicated significantly. Traditional magnetic tape drives, as well as Jaz- and ZIP disks no longer withstand competition with hard drives and are not enough for reservation. CD-R / RW discs and appeared relatively recently recorded DVDs have a slightly greater capacity, but also do not cope with modern volumes in tens and hundreds of gigabytes. You can, of course, solve this problem by creating several separate reservation systems, each of which will work according to your graphics and with your own carrier.

For example, using the Microsoft Backup utility, you can make one backup file to copy the Windows directory and root directories, another - Program Files directory, third data files, etc., but in this case the user will have to manually perform many operations. The automated reservation tools appeared in Windows 95, where the Microsoft Plus package was installed, and the System Agent utility was used to start Microsoft Backup, to get to which it was possible from the "Start" menu, Programs / Standard Points / "Service Programs" / "Data Archiving". To specify which files need to be copied, it is enough to select the corresponding options in the right and left panels, then select the desired disk or ribbon drive, as well as a directory to store backup copies and indicate that the backup program should be closed after its completion. To automate this program, it was necessary to disable the output to the confirmation request screen before starting the operation. Thus, by specifying once in the Backup tab of the "Parameters" menu, all the necessary settings and specifying in the file "File" / "Save as" the name and location of the future backup (other disk or directory), you could organize an automatic reservation process. Since the default SET files were associated with the Microsoft Backup utility, simply adding the file to the list led to the backup launch. There is also a schedule for reservation (when to run - when running System Agent). If it was necessary to schedule several reservation sessions for various sets of files and different drives, then this procedure should be repeated, setting different names SET files and a different execution schedule.

The Microsoft Backup version, supplied with the Windows 98 operating system, no longer allowed automatic archiving. Of course, you could run Microsoft Backup using the task scheduler, but in order for it backup, it was required by some introductory data.

The Windows NT family operating systems were supplied with the NtBackup.exe utility, which could be used in most cases to back up the data and which supported the following five types of backup creation:

A normal backup that saved the selected files and marked them as a backup;

A step-by-step backup, which saved only those files that have changed from the time to create the last backup, and after copying they were marked as reserve;

Selective backup, which, like step-by-step, retained only those files that have changed, starting with the time to create the last backup;

Copying files to the archive, as to create a backup (which is the same as a selective backup, only files are not marked here as reserved);

Daily backup, that is, saving files that have changed for this day, but the files are not marked as reserved.

As you can see, it was already a completely professional approach that was preserved in Windows 2000 / XP operating systems, but nevertheless the ability to have a standard backup utility is very limited. For more flexible reservations, other programs are applied.

Disk backup utilities

aspect seemingly more simple, but in fact a very important task is the so-called replication (cloning) of hard drives. As practice shows, it is this question that is worried about individual, and corporate users, and the programs for creating a disk image are widely used than writing-utilities.

The thing is that such programs provide the easiest and most reliable way to restore the system in the event of any software and hardware breakdowns, and also provide the best way to copy the contents of the hard disk to another computer (for example, when updating the configuration).

Such utilities work according to the following principle: form a single and, if possible, compressed file.which contains a disk image that encloses all available information. This file can then be written to a replaceable medium (for backup storage or transportation) or to a separate section of the same hard disk, designated as another drive (for quick recovery after failures, viral attacks or equipment problems). Subsequently, the program can restore the disk image on the same or on another drive.

Windows users Surely noticed that the more they establish new programs (first of all it concerns computer games), the slower and unstable works the whole system. Sometimes the installation of new devices is the installation of new devices, or simply some unauthorized by Microsoft experiments, and it absolutely looks at a working medium after a viral attack. Often, even a backup does not help recovery (did not have time to reserve or lost a workflow at all), and then you have to install the operating system again. In this case, only the full storage of a working copy of the system disk (for example, on CD-R / RW) will help with the possibility of its recovery in prior coordinate form. Such a copy should be made after the first installation of the system, all the necessary programs and drivers and the inspection of its performance.

The most popular solutions to replicate the contents of hard drives until recently were Norton Ghost and PowerQuest Drive Image utilities. However, the recent domestic development in the field of backups not only are not only inferior, but largely exceed the above programs - we are primarily about the products of Acronis (http://www.acronis.com, http://www.acronis.ru ). In addition, the developers of most Acronis products are located in Moscow (as opposed to their competitors Powerquest and Symantec), so all programs have a Russian-speaking interface. In addition, Acronis products in Russia are easier to buy than to steal: at a price of 50-70 dollars in the world market, they are all sold in our 299-399 rubles. In my opinion, quite inexpensive for clean conscience and support for the domestic manufacturer, and in addition, for the Russian-speaking support of the product itself from the manufacturer.

Actually, the main task of such utilities is to copy the contents of the hard disk, including system areas, to another drive or to a backup file. But today such programs assumed the role and archiving systems that work with files, and backup utilities. At the same time, they are sometimes more convenient to use, universal and even have some advantages over traditional approaches. The program described below is ideal and to restore the working environment in the event of a failure without the need to reinstall the operating system and application programs, and to save important user data, and to copy the desired configuration to another computer. In addition, when copying discs, there may be different capacities, and these utilities allow you to change the size of logical disks when preparing a new computer to work.

As a rule, such programs exist in several versions of corporate and personal. The latter are intended for use in home computers and do not have network support. However, unlike the first, the versions for widespread use should have a simpler and accessible interface and at the same time maintain all the necessary features and recovery tools after a failure.

True Image.

For Windows 95/98 / ME / NT (including Server) / 2000 (including Server) / XP

Acronis True Image. 6.0 - the best product for full backup product that allows you to create accurate hard disk images and / or individual partitions directly in Windows without rebooting. The disk image that includes absolutely all data, applications and operating systems can be restored to a hard disk in cases of sudden "death" of a hard disk, viral attacks and any other fatual software and software errors and hardwareMoreover, even in those situations where the usual files of backup files do not help.

Main features:

Quick creation of an accurate disk image with a warranty of full data saving (hard drives of any size are supported);

Recovery of both hard drives and individual sections or files and folders on them (restores and regular partitions with data, and system);

Convenient copying exact image hard disk on CD-R / RW, ZIP, JAZ or any other storage device with interchangeable media in a friendly environment with step by step instructions and with the Windows XP interface;

Full cloning hard disk to a new computer.

Exclusive features:

The ability to create and restore the full disk image directly in Windows without the need to reboot to DOS or another system;

The presence of friendly user interface with step-by-step instructions in the style of Windows XP, making a job available to a user of any qualification;

Ensuring continuous operation in Windows while creating an image or disk recovery (you can connect sections stored inside the image, like Windows logic discs, with the possibility of viewing and restoring individual files).

Other features:

Saving only the necessary contents of the disk sectors in the image, as a result of which the full disk image is created in a matter of minutes;

Ability to create backup copies and restoring hard disk images on a local network;

Just user compression level; breaking the archive into several volumes; Password establishment;

Set comment to the section created section;

Creating a boot diskette, CD-R / RW or DVD-R / RW CDs, with which you can restore the computer's performance, even if all operating systems are destroyed on it;

The ability to change the type of partition, file system, size and location of the disk (Windows FAT16 / 32 and NTFS file systems, as well as Linux EXT2, EXT3, ReiserFS and SWAP are supported, and special sectoral support is provided for partitions of other types);

Full support for hard drives and writing drives with IDE, SCSI, PCMCIA interfaces, USB 2.0 and FireWire.

After installing Acronis True Image 6.0, will offer to create a boot diskette or a CD to work on a computer with any other operating system.

It should be emphasized that when you start Acronis True Image, you do not need to restart the computer, moreover, you can continue to work with applications in normal mode, however, you should not run resource-intensive applications. Although Acronis claims that with the help of its unique technologies, the integrity of the data, the structures of the hard disk and file systems are ensured, but it is better to use the computer at the same time. In addition, Acronis True Image does not guarantee data integrity at the level of such complex applications as Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle and Microsoft Exchange.

Drive Image.

For Windows DOS / 95/98 / ME / NT / 2000 / XP

DRIVE Image Pro utility is designed to back up information from a hard disk to a file or other media (JAZ, ZIP, CD-R / RW, etc.) and is quite reasonable to be considered not only one of the best solutions for cloning hard drives, but also A very convenient tool for backup.

Drive Image Allows you to create a compressed image of the hard drive, protect the information password and encrypt it if necessary. When recovery, you can copy the entire disk or individual files, as well as split the disk to logical partitions (this is done by the PartitionMagic Pro utility). Drive Image supports all known file systems: FAT, FAT32, NTFS and HPFS.

Although Drive Image is installed in almost all versions of Windows, in fact it is a DOS application - the program starts from MS-DOS and has a small size (it can be recorded on a floppy disk). It does not matter how you boot into the DOS, since Drive Image can be started from the installation directory or from CD-ROM using the QuickImage utility, which creates a virtual diskette in your computer's memory. Drive Image is loaded with this virtual diskette and executes the backup and file recovery tasks you selected.

The most important advantage of this program is that it can independently burn the disk image on CD-R / RW and make it bootable. Other removable drives are supported, and DRIVE Image includes all the necessary drivers. A function is implemented to create a set of two flexible boot discs that will launch the program if there is no CD-R or memory does not allow you to form a virtual diskette. The program interface is made in the form of a wizard, intuitively understood and does not even require access to the user manual.

When preparing a DRIVE image disk, it estimates the size of the destination file (depending on the selected compression mode), and then allows you to test its integrity. In addition to the main disk, you can save both images of hidden partitions, which helps protect them from accidental damage.

Note that the full recovery of the DRIVE Image program takes a significantly less time than the installation of the Windows system (not to mention the necessary drivers and applications and the subsequent configuration). In addition, the recovery of the disk from the image thanks to the SmartSector technology (the program operates at the sector level, bypassing the file system) occurs even faster than necessary for normal copying information, and the size of the image file is more than twice the amount of data stored in it.

Recovery of information No difficulty calls (especially if you selected the "disk to disk" copy option), but if you want to restore the working environment on a computer with another hardware configuration, then you will need professional version Drive Image Pro, which includes auxiliary utilities such as PowerCast (program for simultaneously replicating information on an arbitrary number of computers on the local network) and full version PartitionMagic Pro. And to work with image files, you need a DRIVE Image File Editor utility, with which you can copy partitions from one image to another, compress the disk image, delete information from it, split into several files (which is necessary, for example, to copy a large disk to various Replaceable drives) or, on the contrary, combine several files to one, as well as selectively restore partitions and read the necessary information from the disk image file. To extract individual files, the Image Explorer utility is designed, supplied with Drive Image.

In addition, the DRIVE image includes a separate Datakeeper program, which can be used to organize automatic backup of the changed information in an already created disk image, that is, each time you change the contents of the files (for a whole disk or in selected directories), they will be saved to the image file automatically. In this case, various versions of files can accumulate with almost no restrictions. By default, all files are copied, except for software modules, however, you can explicitly specify the necessary extensions or patterns. You can also make a schedule for automatic execution Backup and Recovery Tasks, for example, in order for each night, the publicly available machine is driven into a working state or so that some partition of the disc is copied to CD-R / RW (or another removable media) or in a compressed file located in another section of Togo same hard disk.

In addition, the program works very effectively in the background and practically does not affect the performance of the computer.

The latest version of PowerQuest Drive Image 7.0 differs from the previous number of new features. In particular, it allows you to save images of entire disks or individual partitions on DVD-R / RW and DVD + R / RW media, and also supports a variety external drives With USB interfaces (including version 2.0) and FireWire. Some improvements have also occurred in the field of network support, as a result of which users can save images and restore content from disks over the network. In addition, thanks to the Virtual Volume Imaging (V2I) technology, there is an ability to design backup images as virtual hard drives.

Norton Ghost.

For Windows XP / 2000 / NT WS / ME / 98

Norton Ghost 2003 Symantec Corporation (initially it was developed by Binary Research) can protect information from various problems associated with emergency failures in the computer. Norton Ghost Although not the most convenient program to create a copy of the disk, but the most complete in its capabilities. It allows you to copy and restore both separate sections and the entire disk completely, and the disk image can be read and recorded over the network, via a parallel or USB port, and also save on CD-R / RW or on other interchangeable media.

This program Implements all the basic functions that can only be expected from this kind of solution: copying data from a hard disk to another hard disk or to a file (disk image), copying disk partitions to a hard disk, for interchangeable media and in files protected with password and password and compressed. In the package is very good editor The image of the Ghost Explorer disk, which allows you to view the disk image and restore individual files. The program also provides the function of checking the disk surface for errors and failed sectors and has the ability to copy the "sector in the sector" if the user wants to get an exact copy of the disk. A fairly simple and intuitive interface allows you to easily make backup copies of the hard disk and simplifies the recovery procedure subsequently. In the Ghost Explorer window, you can move the files and folders to the image file or from it. The GDISK disk formatting utility launched from the command line contains a unique set of functions designed for experienced users who know how to contact them.

The program can also regularly create backup copies, simply and reliably restore files and simplify any upgrade system. Ghost can record copies for hard or removable discs, including CD-R / RW and DVD + RW drives, as well as replaceable devices like Iomega Zip and Jaz. Recording can also be done directly to supported. uSB devices or FireWire (IEEE-1394), and a quick connection between multiple computers through local network, USB or high-speed parallel ports provides the ability to create a variety of clones.

However, it should be noted that, as opposed, for example, from Drive Image, before performing any disk creating or recovery operations, the Norton Ghost program needs to be downloaded from a flexible disk or from a bootable CD, as well as enter the serial number of the program before restoring the image. In this case, one boot disk you must create for recording copies of images on CD-RW, and the other to read them from the CD-RW disk. You can not use the same flexible disk for reading and writing, although during the preparation of the second disk you can copy its contents to the CD-RW disk.

If you have a need for disk management program, pay attention to the corporate version of this package. This feature of Norton Ghost, as a multicast function for transmitting copy copies simultaneously to several computers, is most suitable for the needs of corporate offices (for example, to create or restore multiple jobs). But for backups at home, you may need to think about other programs - simpler and fast.

The program has a detailed tutorial And has proper support on the website of Symantec on the Internet.

Retail price of the program - about $ 70.

Paragon Drive Backup

For Windows: 9x / ME / NT / 2000 / XP

DRIVE Backup - utility for data backup, including to create copies of partitions in order to quickly recovery in cases of accident, viral attack or, if necessary, transfer all the data, including the operating system and installed software, to a new hard disk. Reinstalling the operating system and applications after the failure of the instrument or viral attack does not take you a lot of time and effort. The best way to protect the system is to make a backup copy of the system partition with the operating system installed on it and all the necessary applications. Copies can be created on hard disk and interchangeable media (ZIP, JAZ, SEQUEST, CD-R / RW), as well as on the disks connected over the network.

In addition, when replacing the hard disk, this utility will transfer all of your data (operating systems, applications, files) from the old hard disk to the new one. Each file and directory will be carefully restored. A new disk can have other sizes and organization, but the partition size will be set when copying exactly how it will be required for a new disk.

True, the Paragon Drive Backup utility could not achieve such serious commercial success as the Acronis True Image managed. And the reason here, apparently, in the user interface and the convenience of working with the package: Obviously, Acronis has created a more friendly program to the user.

Universal Backup.

For Windows 95/98 / ME / NT / 2000 / XP

If you do not have 300 rubles. On the purchase of Acronis True Image, you can use the FREE-distributed program with a Russian-speaking interface, which is called - Universal Backup (Universal Reserve). This multifunction program is designed primarily to create archives containing any files and directories, with the possibility of their subsequent restoration of both from under the "deaf" DOS and directly from Windows. The utility allows you to scan any files, directories, keys and registry variables, as well as DOS files and files. windows settings. Scanning information is stored in reporting files that can later be compared and based on the differences to create archives. Although the program is very small (189 KB) and does not require installation, it is quite suitable for reserving both a separate program and the operating system as a whole.

Main features:

Creating archives containing any files, directories, keys and variables of the system registry;

Restoring files, directories, keys and variables of the registry in their source location (both from DOS and directly from Windows);

Scanning any directories, registry keys, Windows setup files (Control.ini, System.ini, Win.ini) and MS-DOS system files (Boot.ini, Winstart.bat, Dosstart.bat, Autoexec.bat, config.sys, msdos.sys);

Comparison of reports on previously produced scans in order to identify differences between them (creating, deleting and modifying files, directories, keys and registry variables);

Creating archives based on identified changes (the created and modified files, catalogs, keys and registry variables are included in the archive);

Reinstalling (recovery) of the operating system;

Detention of the required components of the system.

This program will facilitate life with a huge number of users, and fit only on one diskette. You just imagine: Full reinstalling Windows From DOS will take you a few minutes! Usually most of the time takes not so much installation of the operating system itself, but its further configuration and optimization, and with the help of Universal Backup, you solve this problem. All you need is to install the operating system, configure it at your discretion, install the necessary programs, and then create a backup archive file via Universal Backup.

Now any computer user is primarily experiencing for the safety of its data. There is a huge number of factors that during operation can damage or delete any files. - These include malware, systemic and hardware failures, incompetent or random user intervention. Under the threat not only personal data, but also the operability of the operating system, which, following the law of meanness, "falls" at the moment when it is most needed.

Data redundancy - literally panacea, which solves 100% of problems with lost or damaged files (of course, provided that the backup is created by all the rules). This article will feature several options for creating a full backup of the current operating system with all its settings and data that are stored on the system section.

You can, in the old manner, documents for saving to copy to flash drives or parallel partitions of a hard disk, worry for the darkness of the settings in the operating system, shake over each system file during the installation of third-party decor and icons. But manual work from now on in the past - enough softwarewhich has proven itself as a reliable means for the entire system redundancy. A little bit after the next experiments - at any time you can return to the saved version.

The Windows 7 operating system also has a built-in copy function of the copy itself, and we will also talk about it in this article.

Method 1: Aomei Backupper

Rightly considered one of best programs For backup. She has only one drawback - the lack of the Russian interface, only English. However, with the instructions below, you can even press a backup copy.

The program has a free and paid versionHowever, for the needs of an ordinary user with head, there is enough first. It contains everything required tools To create, compress and verify a backup copy of the system partition. The number of copies is limited only by free space on the computer.

1. Go to the official website of the developer on the link above, download the installation package to the computer, start it with a double mouse and follow the simple installation wizard.
2. After the program is integrated into the system, start it with a shortcut on the desktop. After starting, Aomei Backupper is immediately ready to work, but it is desirable to perform several important settings that will improve the backup quality. Open the settings by pressing the button "MENU" At the top of the window, in the drop-down window, select "SETTINGS".



3. In the first tab of the opened settings, there are parameters responsible for compressing the created copy to save space on the computer.
   • "NONE" - Copy will be performed without compression. The size of the outcome file will be equal to the size of the data that will be recorded in it.
   • "Normal" - The selected default parameter. The copy will be compressed approximately 1.5-2 times in comparison with source size files.
   • "HIGH" - The copy is compressed by 2.5-3 times. This mode is very saved on the computer when creating multiple copies of the system, however requires more time and system resources to create a copy.

   Select the option you need, then immediately go to the tab "Intelligent Sector"



4. The opened tab contains parameters responsible for sectors of the section that the program will copy.
   • "Intelligent Sector Backup" - The program will save the data of those sectors to a copy that are most often used. The entire file system and recently used sectors (cleaned basket and freed location) fall into this category. It is recommended to create intermediate points before experiments over the system.
   • "Make An Exact Backup" - Absolutely all sectors that are in the section will be entered into the copy. Recommended for hard drives that are used for a long time, information suitable for recovery can be stored in unused sectors. special programs. If the copy is restored after the defeat working system The program, the program will overwrite the entire disk to the last sector, without leaving the virus is either a chance for recovery.

   Selecting the desired item, go to the last tab. "OTHER".



5. Here you need to check the box at the first point. It is responsible for automatic checking backup after its creation. This setting is the key to successful recovery. It almost doubles the copy time, but the user will definitely be sure to save data. Keep the settings by pressing the button OkThe program setting is completed.



6. After that, you can proceed directly to copying. Click on the large button in the middle of the program window "CREATE NEW Backup".



7. Choose the first point "System Backup" - It is he who is responsible for copying the system partition.



8. In the next window, you must set the final parameters of the backup.
   • In the field, specify the name of the backup. It is advisable to use only Latin characters in order to avoid problems with associations when recovering.
   • You need to specify the folder where the destination file is saved. You must use another section other than systemic, to protect from deleting a file from a section during a failure in the operating system. The path must also contain only Latin characters in its name.

   Start copying by clicking on the button "Start Backup".



9. The program will start copying a system that can take from 10 minutes to 1 hour depending on the selected settings and the size of the data you want to save.



10. First, all the indicated data on the configured algorithm will be copied, then check will be performed. After completing the operation, the copy is ready for recovery at any time.

Aomei Backupper has a number of secondary settings that will necessarily use the user, seriously worried about their system. Here you can find and configure the deferred and periodic reservation tasks, breaking created file On pieces of a certain size to download to cloud storage and records for removable media, encryption copies with password for privacy, as well as copy separate folders and files (perfectly suitable for saving critical system objects).

Method 2: Recovery Point

We now turn to the built-in features of the operating system itself. The most popular I. fast way Create a backup system is a recovery point. It takes a relatively little place, it is created almost instantly. The recovery point has the ability to return the computer to the checkpoint, restoring critical system files without affecting the user data.

Method 3: Data Archiving

Windows 7 has another way to create backup data from system Disc - Archiving. For proper setting This tool will save all system files for subsequent recovery. There is one global drawback - it is impossible to archive those executable files and some drivers that are currently used. However, this is an option from the developers themselves, so it also needs to be considered.

Although the operating system has built-in functionality for creating backup copies, it does not cause sufficient trust. If the recovery points are very often charged by the experimenters, then problems often arise with the recovery of archived data. The use of third-party software significantly increases the reliability of copying, eliminates manual labor, automating the process, and provides enough accurate setting for maximum convenience.

Backups are desirable to store on other sections, ideally on third-party physically shut-off media. IN cloud services Backups Load only encrypted reliable password for secure storage of personal data. Regularly create new copies of the system to avoid loss of valuable data and settings.

Using the Windows Control Panel features you can:

• execute the archiving of the specified folders on the schedule and restore them from the backup
• create a complete image of the system
• create a boot disk to restore Windows

History of the question

The information in this article is applicable to Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10. Initially, there was a speech about Windows 7 backup capabilities - creating file archives and disk images. In Windows 8, they came to replace the history of files and Windows restoration without deleting files (Refresh Your PC).

However, all written apply to Windows 8 and 8.1, since it has the functions of the previous system. You can find them search in the control panel.

Enlarge Figure

In Windows 10, the Refresh Your PC function from Windows 8 ordered to live long, but the old windows 7 are preserved. You can find them search by word reserve In the Start menu or the old control panel.

On this page:

Archiving options in Windows 7

Windows 7 allows you to create both backups of folders and a complete image of the hard disk partitions.

Archiving type	Technology and opportunity
Custom files	Archiving is performed at the file level. Saving backup copies is possible to NTFS and FAT32 sections. Additions to the original archive occur incremental (i.e., only changed files are added). A zip format is used for compression. It is possible to restore individual folders and libraries.
Image section	Archiving is performed at the block level (only used blocks are included in the archive). Saving backup copies is possible only to the NTFS sections. The full image is stored in VHD format, while file compression does not occur. In the future, images are created incrementally, that is, only the changed blocks are added. To do this, shadow copies are used. The subsequent creation of complete images is also possible. Section images make it possible to quickly restore OS and files in case of failure of the hard disk.

These functions together with the ability to download to the recovery environment without the installation disk are able to satisfy the queries of most home users. Now they may well do without third-party backup programs.

Changes in the user interface

Changes in opportunities windows archiving 7 touched not only technology, but also the user interface. In particular:

• recycled Interface Main Window Control Panel Element
• a new user interface has been created to control space occupied by backups.
• simplified recovery of files performed using a wizard
• implemented integration with the support center for timely notification of users about the need to create a backup

Elements of the archiving user interface are described in action below.

Configure regular backup settings

By default, the backup is not configured. Click link Configure backup In the main window of the control panel element to set the archiving parameters.

Options for posting a backup files are given in the table.

Accommodation	Comments
Internal hard drive	You can place archive files to: non-system section of the same physical diskon which the OS is installed any section of another physical disk
External hard drive	If a scheduled archiving is configured, an external hard disk must be connected at the time of creating a backup. Note. Windows 7 does not support the creation images Systems on flash drives.
The local network	Archiving is supported only on network computers running Windows 7. Certainly, you will need credentials to access the computer on which a backup is posted.

You can place file archives on sections formatted as in file System NTFS and FAT32. When archiving to the hard disk, the files are placed in the root of the section. You cannot specify the invested folder for the archive, but nothing prevents you from placing other files and folders on this disk.

Next, the article discusses the backup of the internal hard disk section. Deciding with the placement of the archive, you must specify the archiving parameters. You can provide this solution to the operating system, and you can select folders yourself.

With an independent selection, you can create backups:

• custom files, including libraries
• local disk folders
• full image of the system

At the end of Windows 7 displays a backup parameter summary.

The schedule settings you specified are saved in the task scheduler, which is responsible for the timely launch of archiving.

Upon completion of the archiving settings, you return to the main window of the control panel item.

Creating a backup file

Now the main window displays all archiving options. Press the button ArchiveTo start the backup process.

Archiving run is displayed using the progress strip, but you can view the details by clicking the button. View information.

After completing archiving, you can view information about the disk space used and proceed to managing archives.

Creating a system image

This feature has a number of restrictions that it is useful to know that later it does not painfully hurt.

• In the image, you can enable only discs formatted in NTFS.
• It can be saved only on the disk formatted into the NTFS file system.
• The image cannot include a disk or section on which the image is saved.
• All systemic I. boot discs or partitions (see the "Disk management" snap-in) are forcibly included in the image.
• The image can be saved to the network location only in Windows 7 professional, maximum and corportative.
• Unable to restore the image of a 64-bit Windows on a 32-bit system.
• The discharge of a recovery disk or installation disk must match Windows in the backup image. It is not possible to restore the image of a 64-bit Windows using a 32-bit Windows Recovery Installation Disk, and vice versa.
• The image stored on a PC with UEFI cannot be recovered on a PC with BIOS.
• When restoring the image image from a dynamic disk, it is not possible to restore the configuration of disks and partitions stored in the image. Therefore, the image needs to be saved on the base disk.
• The image cannot be restored to a smaller section than was on the source disk.
• The image is saved at the root of the target disk in the folder WindowsImageBackup.. If the folder is moved from the root of the disk or renamed, the image cannot be restored.
• Storing the system image on another section of the disk is not backup. In the case of the output of the disk, you will lose everything.

The first system image is a complete picture of the section, and the subsequent are incremental, i.e. include only changes compared with the previous manner. This feature that saves disk space is implemented using shadow copies. This principle of creating images is used when they are maintained on internal, external and optical disks.

For internal and external disks, this principle is valid until the disk has enough space. When the place ends, a full image is created, and all the previous ones are removed. As for network drives, they always create a full image, and the old image is rewritten new.

Let's look at the creation of the first image.

• In Windows 7 in the left panel of the control panel, click the link Creating a system image.
• In Windows 10 in the left panel of the control panel History Files Below, click the link Backup System Image, then Creating a system image.

A window opens with the options for placing the image.

In the next step, you can select sections for archiving.

If there are other sections in the system, you can choose them at this step. Deciding with the selection selection, click ArchiveTo start the backup process.

The system section and partition on which the files are located are automatically turned on by the Windows loading (it may differ from the system in multi-load configurations). Solving problems with inclusion in the image of undesirable sections is in this article.

All the following images are created in the same way. As I said above, they only contain changed blocks. In order to create a complete system again, you need to delete existing images or transfer them to another section.

You can also move them from the root of the disk to the invested folders, however, note that in this case they will not see the system recovery program from the image. About the location and content of backup copies and will be discussed further.

Space Management.

In the main window of the control panel item, click the link. Space Management.. A window will open, which displays information about the arrangement of the archive, a summary of the use of disk space, as well as links and buttons to view archives and control them.

Location backup

In addition to viewing detailed information about the space you use, you can open a backup location - click link Overview, and files will open in the conductor.

Windows 7 recognizes the folder with the archive and provides convenient access to the recovery parameters, which can also be opened by double-clicking on the folder.

Of interest, of course, represent the folders:

• % ComputerName% (In this case, ADMIN-PC) - file archive
• WindowsImageBackup - folder in the image section

The contents of the file archive

You can open the folder with the archive using context menu. The contents of the archive are transparent for the user - inside the ZIP archives, and if you wish, the files can be removed directly from the conductor directly.

However, from the control panel restore files more convenient, for example, thanks to the built-in search.

Content image

The archive image of the system is created in VHD format and stored in the folder WindowsImageBackup. Along with auxiliary files.

You can see its content using a new windows feature 7 - connecting virtual hard drives in the disk control snap-in ( Start - Search - diskmgmt.msc — Act — Join virtual hard disk).

Perhaps you will be interested in the question, can I add files to a virtual hard disk. Technically, it is possible, however, in terms of restoring Windows, this will not give anything. It is better to make a new image - changed blocks are added incrementally based on shadow copies, which saves disk space.

View and delete backups

From the Space Control window, you can delete file archives and backup images.

Press the button View archives In the Space Control window to see the list of archives.

Windows 7 finds all archives and displays the archiving period and occupied disk space. In this window you can delete unnecessary archives.

To delete backup images, click Change parameters In the space control window. The image storage parameters will open.

The system invites you to delete absolutely all images, or all images other than the last.

Everyone knows that you need to regularly perform backups, but at the same time not all do it. Given the extensive backup capabilities in Windows 7, you will regret the loss of important data only if you do not configure regular archiving.

A separate hard disk is ideal for storing backups - internal or external, connected via USB or FireWire. If your disposal has a network drive, it can also be used. Storage of backups on another section of the same disk where the OS is installed, is not a good idea. In the event of a disk failure, you will lose both the system and backup copies.

Since backups occupy a lot of space, I can only give general recommendations that you need to adjust depending on your free disk space.

Images of the system partition

• First image. Install Windows 7, then all updates and drivers. Making advantage of the normal operation of the OS and devices, create the first standby image. If you "kill" the system during further configuration and installation of software, you can return to the initial state faster than when reinstalling.
• Second image. Install all applications and configure the system by your own. Since the more subtle OS configuration is usually made in the course of its use, work in Windows 7 a couple of weeks. Making advantage of the normal operation of the OS, create a second standby image. If you delete the first image before that, you will have a complete image of a fully updated and configured system with your favorite set of applications.
• Subsequent images. Depending on your free disk space, create subsequent images monthly / quarterly. If there is a problem that requires recovery from the image, you can return to a relatively recent state of the system.

User file archives

The archiving frequency of your files is determined by how valuable they are for you and how often you add or create new files. In general, I recommend to execute data archiving weekly or twice a month. In combination with monthly creating system images manually You will have an excellent backup set that allows not only to return to the system to a recent working state, but also to restore all your data and files huced by unbearable work. You can always free the disk space, deleting old archives if the disk space is required for other needs.

IN graphic interface Unable to set different schedules for creating images and archiving data. Therefore, if you want at different times Automatically create an image and execute file archiving, use the WBAdmin command line utility and task scheduler.

Questions and answers

Why when creating an image of the system, another disk or partition is enabled to it, and how to avoid it?