Backup Rotation & Storage Strategies

15 question-and-answer flashcards covering GFS, 3-2-1, FIFO, and Tower of Hanoi backup strategies.

What does the Grandfather-Father-Son (GFS) backup scheme represent?

A three-tiered backup rotation that organizes backups into daily (Son), weekly (Father), and monthly (Grandfather) sets.

In the GFS scheme, what are the typical backup intervals for the Son, Father, and Grandfather tiers?

Son = Daily, Father = Weekly, Grandfather = Monthly.

What is a primary benefit of implementing the GFS backup rotation?

It provides structured retention and guarantees at least one monthly full backup for long-term recovery.

In backup planning, what does the 3-2-1 strategy stand for?

Maintain 3 copies of data, store 2 of them locally on different media, and keep 1 copy off-site.

What is the purpose of keeping one copy off-site in the 3-2-1 strategy?

To protect data against on-site disasters such as fire, flood, or theft.

Is the 3-2-1 approach considered a backup rotation scheme or a storage strategy?

It is a storage strategy, not a rotation scheme.

In backup terminology, what does FIFO stand for?

First-In, First-Out.

How does a FIFO backup rotation operate?

The oldest backup media is overwritten first, maintaining a fixed number of backup sets.

Under what circumstances is a FIFO backup rotation most suitable?

When simplicity is required and storage media is limited.

The Tower of Hanoi backup method is based on what classic concept?

A mathematical puzzle that spaces out backup use according to an exponential schedule.

What advantage does the Tower of Hanoi rotation offer compared with simpler schemes?

It maximizes long-term retention while using relatively few backup media.

Which backup rotation minimizes the number of media used while still maximizing long-term retention?

The Tower of Hanoi rotation.

Which rotation scheme relies on daily “Son,” weekly “Father,” and monthly “Grandfather” backups?

The Grandfather-Father-Son (GFS) rotation.

Which backup method overwrites the oldest backup first?

The FIFO rotation scheme.

Which rotation scheme guarantees at least one full monthly backup?

The Grandfather-Father-Son (GFS) scheme.