There are two concepts about backup subject. A file-level backup is oriented to store separate files. A volume-level backup or hard disk imaging is oriented to store whole file system of a hard disk.
A file-level backup naturally provides an intuitive and flexible way to select objects to store. File-oriented backup tools allow to choose any combination of both local and network accessible files. A file-level data restoration allows to selectively restore only damaged files without affecting other ones. However, there are important file-related system objects which are not files and usually cannot be stored, restored and even accessed from a file level. For example, with file-level backup you can't backup/restore your entire operating system, or even files that are currently in use.
A hard disk image can store files and any associated metadata including distribution information, security data, quotas, extended attributes, named streams, multiple hard and symbolic links and so on. Hard disk imaging tools generally provide higher backup performance because they do not involve file system drivers to the process. For example, you can create a backup image of your entire hard disk, including operating system with all data and applications installed. In case of data loss or application corruption you can simply restore entire system with no reinstallations required.
In addition, hard disk imaging tools can backup offline file systems including ones not being supported by a host operating system. A data restoration generally does not require a host operating system to run, so that hard disk imaging technique is a perfect choice for system cloning and disaster recovery tools.
Paragon Drive Backup is a backup tool that implements the best of hard disk imaging techniques for reliable, fast and convenient real-time hard disk backup and restoration, disk imaging and cloning. It provides much more efficiency and time saving than just file-level backup, because reinstallation is no more needed.
Full Features List
See also:
Real-time hard disk imaging backup
Bootable DVD / CD Backup Archives
Data Restore and Recovery
Hard Disk Imaging Modes
Automatic Disk Backup
Powerful Recovery CD
Differential Backup
Hard Disk Cloning
Backup Capsule
Backup Image
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Paragon Recovery CD™ - Getting Started
Paragon Drive Backup 8.0 was reviewed by the leading USA PC Magazine.
The author says that: "It's fairly intuitive, and it backs up your data on the fly-without a reboot and even as you're running other applications. The basic
"backup wizard" couldn't be simpler. I simply selected the drive I wanted to back up. I chose where I wanted to back it up to. And I was done.
Paragon Drive Backup 8.0 was reviewed TopTenReviews in "Disk Imaging Software review 2006 comparison article and received the Silver Award.
