System image: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Type of data structure}}

{{Refimprove|date=December 2013}}

In [[computing]], a '''system image''' is a [[serialization|serialized]] copy of the entire [[State (computer science)|state]] of a [[computer system]] stored in some [[SecondaryComputer data storage|non-volatile]] form, such as a binary executable [[Computer file|file]]. A system is said to be capable of using system images if it can be shut down and later restored to exactly the same state. In such cases, system images can be used for [[backup]].

If a system has all its state written to a disk (i.e. on a [[disk image]]), then a system image can be produced by simply copying thatthe disk to a file elsewhere, often with [[disk cloning]] applications. On many systems a complete system image cannot be created by a disk cloning program running within that system because information can be held outside of disks and volatile memory, for example in non-volatile memory, likesuch as [[boot ROMsROM]]s.

[[Hibernate (OS feature)|Hibernation]] is an example that uses an image of the entire machine's [[Random-access memory|RAM]].

A system is said to be capable of using system images if it can be shut down and later restored to exactly the same state. In such cases, system images can be used for [[backup]].

==Disk images==

{{Main article|Disk image}}

[[HibernateHibernation (OS featurecomputing)|Hibernation]] is an example that uses an image of the entire machinecomputer's entire [[Random-access memory|RAM]].

If a system has all its state written to a disk, then a system image can be produced by simply copying that disk to a file elsewhere, often with [[disk cloning]] applications. On many systems a complete system image cannot be created by a disk cloning program running within that system because information can be held outside of disks and volatile memory, for example in non-volatile memory like boot ROMs.

==Process images==

A [[Process (computing)|process]] image is a copy of a given process's [[State (computer science)|state]] at a given point in time. It is often used to create [[persistence (computer science)|persistence]] within an otherwise volatile system. A common example is a [[database management system]] (DBMS). Most DBMS can store the state of its [[database]] or databases to a file before being closed down (see [[database dump]]). The DBMS can then be restarted later with the information in the database intact and proceed as though the software had never stopped. Another example would be the [[Hibernate (OS feature)|hibernate]] feature of many operating systems. Here, the state of all [[random-access memory|RAM]] memory is stored to disk, the computer is brought into an energy saving mode, then later restored to normal operation.

Some [[emulator]]s provide a facility to save an image of the system being emulated. In video gaming this is often referred to as a [[savestate]].

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== See also ==

* [[Disk image]]

* [[ISO image]]

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[[Category:Operating system technology]]

[[Category:System image|* ]]