What Is Data Restoration?
Data restoration is the process of copying backup data from a secondary storage location and restoring it to its original or a new destination.
It is essential for retrieving lost, damaged, or stolen data and making it usable again. Examples of data restoration include restoring a database to its previous state after an accidental deletion or transferring files to a new server during an infrastructure upgrade. The data restoration techniques depend on the data type and the backup method.
Data Restoration vs. Data Recovery
While data recovery and restoration aim to retrieve lost data, they are distinct processes with different methods. Data recovery focuses on retrieving some or all lost files from a backup or damaged media, typically after accidental deletion or corruption.
On the other hand, data restoration involves restoring a complete backup image from a backup system. This backup image is an exact copy of everything stored on a computer or device at a specific point in time.
Because it restores the entire system or dataset, data restoration is often a more reliable solution when dealing with data loss, ensuring that all files present at the time of the backup are fully recovered.
Key Steps to Prepare for Data Restoration
Data restoration is essential to data management, requiring reliable backup copies from traditional backups, snapshots, or continuous data protection (CDP).
- Data Backup Strategy: Define what data needs backing up, how often, and where it’s stored. For added protection, use both local and cloud backups.
- Backup Testing: Regularly test the restore process to ensure your backups are reliable and tools work properly.
- Define RPO and RTO: Ensure restored data meets your Recovery Point Objective (RPO) and Recovery Time Objective (RTO) for minimal data loss and downtime.
- Random Checks: Periodically check backups to ensure they meet RPO and RTO standards.
- Test Restore Procedure: Verify all applications, permissions, and security protocols before doing a full restore.
Effective Techniques for Data Restoration
The method for restoring data depends on the type, extent, and cause of the data loss, as well as the backup method used.
- Instant Recovery: Users are temporarily redirected to a backup server, allowing immediate access to a snapshot while IT restores the full system in the background.
- Replication: Provides fast access to data but lacks historical recovery, making it less suited for long-term backups.
- CDP (Continuous Data Protection): Automatically backs up data as it changes, allowing recovery to any point but requires significant storage and processing power.
- Near-CDP: Takes periodic snapshots of data, reducing storage demands compared to full CDP.
- Traditional Backup: Data is stored locally or off-site on HDDs or tape, ideal for long-term retention but slower to restore.
Selecting the appropriate data restoration method minimizes downtime and ensures business continuity. Whether opting for instant recovery for immediate access, continuous data protection for precise recovery points, or traditional and cloud-based backups for larger recovery needs, the right choice depends on your organization's specific requirements and infrastructure.
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