Macrium Reflect

Infobox_Software
name = Macrium reflect
developer = Paramount Software UK Ltd
latest_release_version = 4.2
latest_release_date = April 13, 2008
operating_system = Windows ,XP, Vista, Server 2003
genre = Backup software
license = Shareware
website = [http://www.macrium.com www.macrium.com]

Macrium Reflect is a backup and disk imaging software program for Microsoft Windows developed by Paramount Software UK Ltd in 2006. It creates disk images and file backup archives using Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service to ensure 'point in time' data accuracy.

The latest version 4.2 supports Windows XP, Windows Vista and Server 2003 both 32 and 64 bit editions. The application has a VBScript generator that uses Windows Script Host WSH to enable system administrators to handle complex backup scenarios. Backup definitions can be saved as XML files for simple editing and re-running. Macrium Reflect also offers Windows Preinstallation Environment 2.0, BartPE and Linux based system recovery solutions.

Disk Imaging

Macrium Reflect can create full, incremental and differential backup images to optimize speed and storage requirements. Data is compressed in real time using Abraham Lempel LZ based compression algorithms. Images can be mounted as a drive letter in Windows Explorer and restored using a custom Live CD.

File Backup

Macrium Reflect can also backup files and folders into a compressed virtual drive. This can be mounted as a drive letter in Windows Explorer for file recovery using copy and paste. Full, incremental backup and differential backup files are supported as well as data compression.

ystem Recovery

The Windows System partition cannot be restored whilst Windows is running. To overcome this issue the PC has to be started with another operating system using a Live CD. There are typically three ways to do this:

1. A customized Linux kernel can be used to load the restore software and overwrite the Windows system partition. The Linux kernel is booted from CD/DVD and completely loaded into main memory. This enables any partition on local hard disks to be freely accessed for update. This is the option used by Acronis True Image Home and others.

2. Microsoft provides a cut-down version of Windows called Windows Preinstallation Environment or Windows PE. This also creates a Live CD but is proprietary and needs to be licensed from Microsoft before distribution. This option is used by the current version of Norton Ghost.

3. There is a 'free to create' version of Windows PE called BartPE. This requires building the Windows PE disc from existing Windows system files. There are no licensing issues with BartPE as the required files are included with Windows. BartPE is only compatible with Windows XP and Server 2003 32 bit. BartPE plug-ins are provided by Acronis and other backup software vendors.

Macrium Reflect offers all three system recovery solutions.

ee also

*List of backup software

References

* [http://www.tucows.com/article/2092 How to create a disk image with Macrium Reflect on Tucows.com]
* [http://www.tucows.com/article/2103 How to create incremental images with Macrium Reflect on Tucows.com]
* [http://www.tucows.com/article/2112 How To Schedule Full and Incremental Images with Macrium Reflect on Tucows.com]
* [http://www.tucows.com/article/1809 Review of Macrium Reflect by Dr FileFinder]
* [http://www.macrium.com/webhelp/About_Reflect.asp About Macrium reflect]

External links

* [http://www.macrium.com Macrium Reflect official website]
* [http://www.macrium.com/tutorial.html Macrium Reflect 4.2 tutorial]