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== Types of Backups ==

There are three primary use cases or types of backups:

<li><strong>Operational</strong>: Routine (e.g. daily) backups - especially in a networked multi-user environment for operational resiliency and efficiency</li>

<li><strong>File</strong>: "Full" file system archive to online storage before re-building a host (completely reformatting disks and partitions)</li>

<li><strong>System Image</strong>: A complete operating system image to allow either cloning to new hardware, or full system restoration</li>

== Example Use Cases ==

<li> I accidentally deleted a file, and I want to get it back (without having to call Tech Services) and if I can't get my file back, I want to blame tech services</li>

<li> I want to make an online (meaning network accessible) archive of my old machine before I wipe it completely to turn it into a Media Center PC (Using Mythbuntu or LinuxMCE)</li>

<li> I want to making a full system backup of my notebook before I do a distribution upgrade from Kubuntu 8.4 to Kubuntu 8.10 -- just in case the upgrade doesn't go smoothly so that I can revert and start again, or revert and work on resolving blockers.</li>

Given the different goals of what one might mean by the term "backup", there are naturally different solutions that work best in each scenario. If you are a technical user, you must get familiar with [http://samba.anu.edu.au/rsync RSync]. Even when you need to employ other systems or tools, RSync is the swiss army knife of backups.