Which of the following best describes a full backup?

A full backup is characterized by the comprehensive copying of all data associated with a particular system or set of files. This means that a full backup will create an exact clone of the entire system data at the time the backup is executed. This includes not only user data but also application data and system files, providing a thorough snapshot that allows for complete restoration if necessary.

This approach offers several advantages, such as simplifying the restoration process since all data is gathered in one backup. It ensures that there are no omissions, and in the event of a system failure or data loss, restoration can occur without needing to gather multiple backup sets.

In contrast, backing up only changed data would classify as an incremental or differential backup, which does not create a complete copy of the initial state of the system or files. Copying data to local storage only is a specification that does not pertain to the definition of a full backup and may refer to the backup location rather than the completeness of the backup itself. Excluding system configurations indicates a selective backup process rather than a full backup since a full backup is meant to capture all aspects of the system, including configurations.