What does the term 'Incremental Backup' refer to?

The term 'Incremental Backup' refers to a backup that saves only the changes made since the last backup was completed. This method of backup is efficient because it reduces the amount of data being backed up at any given time, which in turn can save storage space and speed up the backup process. By capturing only the data that has changed, incremental backups can be performed more frequently and help minimize the time required for backup operations compared to full backups that include all data.

Incremental backups are typically used in conjunction with other types of backups, such as full backups, to create a comprehensive backup strategy. For example, after performing a full backup, subsequent incremental backups will only account for new or modified files, making recovery more manageable, as the restoration process will require the last full backup and all subsequent incremental backups.

This approach is particularly advantageous in environments where data changes frequently, allowing for quicker backup windows and optimizing resource usage. Additionally, during recovery, only the last full backup and the incrementals need to be restored, making the entire process more efficient.