In which of the following media rotation schemes are daily, weekly, and monthly backup media utilized in a first-in, first-out method?

The Grandfather-Father-Son (GFS) rotation scheme is a hierarchical method designed for data retention over different time scales. It uses three tiers of backups: Son (daily), Father (weekly), and Grandfather (monthly). Within each tier, the backup media is recycled using a first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. For instance, the oldest daily "Son" tape is reused for the newest daily backup after the daily retention period is met. This structure efficiently balances the need for frequent, short-term recovery points with the requirement for long-term archival copies, directly matching the scenario described in the question.

A. Waterfall: This is a sequential project management and software development methodology, completely unrelated to data backup rotation schemes.
B. Synthetic full: This refers to a type of backup creation process, not a media rotation schedule. It synthesizes a new full backup from a previous full and subsequent incrementals.
C. Tower of Hanoi: This is a complex rotation scheme that provides exponential retention periods with fewer media sets but does not follow a simple daily/weekly/monthly FIFO structure.

1. Microsoft Documentation

Azure Backup Server. (2023). Back up workloads by using Azure Backup Server. Microsoft Learn. In the section "Grandfather-Father-Son (GFS) scheme

" it states

"A GFS scheme is a model for backup media rotation... The GFS scheme uses a first-in-first-out (FIFO) method for rotating backup media..."

Reference: learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-backup-server-with-azure-backup#grandfather-father-son-gfs-scheme

2. Indiana University

University Information Technology Services (UITS). (2023). Backup types and rotation schemes. Knowledge Base. The document describes GFS: "The Grandfather-Father-Son (GFS) rotation scheme is a common method for maintaining a hierarchical backup history... Daily backups are the 'sons'... Weekly backups are the 'fathers'... Monthly backups are the 'grandfathers'."

Reference: kb.iu.edu/d/afgo

3. University of Texas at Austin

Information Technology Services. (n.d.). Computer Backup and Recovery. The service description outlines common backup strategies

including GFS

explaining its tiered approach for daily

weekly

and monthly backups

which is a standard implementation of this model.

Reference: it.utexas.edu/services/computer-backup-and-recovery (Under "Backup Strategies")