Which backup method typically requires the last full backup plus all subsequent incremental backups to restore data?

Which backup method typically requires the last full backup plus all subsequent incremental backups to restore data?

• A. Full backups
• B. Differential backups
• C. Archival backups
• D. Incremental backups

Answer: (D)

Incremental backups work by recording only what changed since the previous backup. To restore, you start with the most recent full backup and then apply each subsequent incremental backup in order until you reach the present state. This is why the last full backup plus all subsequent incremental backups are needed for a complete restore with this method. It makes backups small and quick, but restores require processing the entire chain, and a missing or corrupted incremental can block the final reconstruction. In contrast, a full backup alone can restore by itself; a differential backup requires the last full backup plus only the latest differential; archival backups are intended for long-term storage and are not typically used to restore to a current state.

Incremental backups work by recording only what changed since the previous backup. To restore, you start with the most recent full backup and then apply each subsequent incremental backup in order until you reach the present state. This is why the last full backup plus all subsequent incremental backups are needed for a complete restore with this method. It makes backups small and quick, but restores require processing the entire chain, and a missing or corrupted incremental can block the final reconstruction. In contrast, a full backup alone can restore by itself; a differential backup requires the last full backup plus only the latest differential; archival backups are intended for long-term storage and are not typically used to restore to a current state.