CompTIA Cloud+ Practice Test

Which backup solution is best for minimizing backup size of large files with frequent small changes?

1. Local snapshots

2. Differential backups

3. File-based replication

4. Change block tracking

The correct answer is: Differential backups

Differential backups are particularly effective for minimizing the backup size when dealing with large files that experience frequent small changes. In a differential backup, only the changes made since the last full backup are stored. This means that rather than backing up the entire file every time a small change occurs, only the altered data is captured, which conserves space significantly. This backup method allows for more efficient use of storage resources, especially in environments where large files frequently change. Once a full backup is completed, subsequent differential backups will only include data that has changed since that initial full backup. This approach differs from incremental backups, which only capture changes since the last backup of any type, potentially leading to larger cumulative storage requirements over time as multiple backup sets could be needed to restore. In summary, for scenarios involving large files with frequent but small updates, differential backups strike a balance between backup size and the ability to efficiently restore data, making them a suitable choice for minimizing backup size in such contexts.