Backup: Beyond a Simple Copy

The importance of data backup is often underestimated. This article, based on the author's experiences, recounts various data loss scenarios, emphasizing that backup is more than just a simple copy; it requires a comprehensive plan and strategy. It explores the pros and cons of full disk versus individual file backups and the crucial role of snapshots in ensuring data consistency. The author also shares their preference for a centralized backup server architecture and guiding principles for an efficient backup system, previewing subsequent articles detailing their FreeBSD-powered backup server setup.