Full backup allows users to copy all selected files, directories or volumes. With full backups you need only the most recent copy of the backup file or tape to restore all of the files.
Incremental backup provides a faster method of backing up data than repeatedly running full backups. During an incremental backup only the files changed since the most recent backup are included. That is where it gets its name: each backup is an increment since the most recent backup.
The time it takes to execute the backup may be a fraction of the time it takes to perform a full backup.
The time it takes to execute the backup may be a fraction of the time it takes to perform a full backup.
Nice explanation Alexandre - just to add to it, if you were having to do a full restore, that time saved in the backup would then be required during the restore.
you would have to use your "full backup" for the initial restore, and then use the incremental to get you to point X (where the last incremental was taken).
Generally, for a lot of stuff now, unless there is a specific archiving requirement, tape is a bit out there... it may well be cheaper to get some online storage offsite somewhere and run something like R1Soft CDP,