Backup and Restore Glossary ​

backup bundle

All of the artifacts that are stored in a physical backup of a single database.

backup chain

A logical name for a sequence of backups that are chained together. Typically, one database has one chain.

backup point

A logical name for a point in time when a backup was taken, similar to a "snapshot."

backup set

All of the artifacts that are stored in a physical backup of a single database. Also known as a backup bundle.

backup snapshot

A logical name for a point in time when a backup was taken. Also known as a backup point.

cumulative backup

A backup that consists of all changes to the database since the last full or cumulative backup. (Also known as a differential backup.)

full backup

A backup of the entire database.

hot-standby database

A database that is primed for incremental restore operations but also available for reads (queries).

incremental backup

A backup that consists of all changes to the database since the last backup of any kind.

incremental restore

A restore operation that uses one or more incremental or cumulative backups as its restore point. Restore operations work from a restore sequence that starts with a full backup. An incremental restore applies a subsequent set of changes to the restored database. A restored database must remain in HOT_STANDBY mode to be eligible for additional incremental restore operations.

read-only database

A database that has been locked down for read operations only.

replication

Creation and maintenance of database replicas for disaster recovery, typically in remote data centers. (Not supported in 4.0 Beta.)

restore point

A specific point in time that a database is restored to, given a sequence of backups.

restore sequence

A sequence of restore operations, as needed to replay changes saved in a series of backups.

snapshot

A point in time for a database that captures its exact state as of its last committed transaction. Snapshots provide valid backup and restore points.

Parent topic:Overview