Have you ever experienced the loss of critical data and wished that you had a backup ready? I have, and it is not a pleasant experience. That is why it is important to use the right backup approach. There are 2 common options: hot backups and cold backups. Let's take a look at both in simple terms.
The advantages of hot backups:
Fast access: In the cases that something does break, you can quickly restore your data.
No downtime: Backup is done with the system still online.
Good for mission-critical applications: Maintains full function for websites or databases that cannot go down.
The drawback? Hot backups use more storage and cost more.
Reasons cold backups are good:
• Low cost: They generally require less storage and fewer resources.
• Simple: Any backup is easy to manage and does not require a lot of server tools.
• Best for older or less importance data: Cold backups work well for archives or if you’re not working with more current information.
The downside? You are not able to back up while your system is running and will likely lose any changes made during downtime.
Ultimately, a backup system will only benefit you if it actually works when you need it. So choose whichever one meets your needs!
What Are Hot Backups?
Hot backups maintain a copy of your information continuously. The backup occurs while your system keeps running.The advantages of hot backups:
Fast access: In the cases that something does break, you can quickly restore your data.
No downtime: Backup is done with the system still online.
Good for mission-critical applications: Maintains full function for websites or databases that cannot go down.
The drawback? Hot backups use more storage and cost more.
Understanding Cold Backups
Cold backups are different. You shut down your system, back it up, and start it up again.Reasons cold backups are good:
• Low cost: They generally require less storage and fewer resources.
• Simple: Any backup is easy to manage and does not require a lot of server tools.
• Best for older or less importance data: Cold backups work well for archives or if you’re not working with more current information.
The downside? You are not able to back up while your system is running and will likely lose any changes made during downtime.
Which One Should You Use?
It depends on your need or needs:- Hot backup if you want to have something back in a hurry and want no downtime. Ideal for any live sites and apps.
- Cold backup if you want something low cost and accept a few minutes downtime. Works well for archives or older files.
My Experience
I utilize both systems. When it comes to production servers, I will usually utilize hot backups because the cost of downtime is greater than the cost of storage. When it comes to projects from long ago or personal files, I utilize cold backups because it is cheaper, yet still secure.Conclusion
Uses hot backups for speed and uptime, but costs more. Cold backups are cheaper, but takes longer to restore. Many users implement a hybrid system, where hot backups are used for actively-used files, and cold backups for all old files.Ultimately, a backup system will only benefit you if it actually works when you need it. So choose whichever one meets your needs!
