System image: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:21, 20 September 2024

Revision as of 03:49, 6 December 2024

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In [[computing]], a '''system image''' is a [[serialization|serialized]] copy of the entire [[State (computer science)|state]] of a [[computer system]] stored in some [[Computer data storage|non-volatile]] form, such as a binary executable [[Computer file|file]].

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 copying the 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.

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]].