System backups and archives will therefore require the use a variety of equipment, media, and techniques. For backups a full backup is created at the start of each backup cycle, and incrementals are subsequently created until the next backup cycle. Three backup cycles are completed before the next system archive. Each backup cycle uses its own set of tapes, as does each archive. 8 mm datatapes can hold somewhere in the range of 2 Gigabytes of data.
Users are responsible for purchasing their own backup media.
Floppy disks can be purchased at the ASUC, at Whole Earth Access, or at a number of other computer shops or mail-order houses. Generally, mail-order houses offer lower prices, very reasonable shipping charges, and won't charge sales tax if they are not located in California. Consult one of the many weekly or monthly trade journals for current addresses and phone numbers. Secondary Storage Devices are all non-volatile and are used as storage outside of the Primary Storage Devices. Backups and Archives are made onto either 4mm or 8mm tape media.