Tom Franken - Network Management

Recoverability refers to the process of restoring lost or damaged data. In a large organization, backup and recovery can be a discipline in itself. Basic files and personal email databases are usually fairly easy to backup and restore. Sometimes, operating systems and applications can simply be reinstalled.

However, databases such as Oracle and SQL, and particularly email server databases, have very specific requirements to properly backup and restore them. Also, operating systems often get modified and configured over the course of years so they function properly and efficiently. If a database or operating system has not been properly backed up, restoring it will take at best take several hours and at worst won't be possible.