An administrator needs to back up files from a server to the cloud. Which backup technology should they select for efficiency?

Choosing block-level backups for cloud file backups is an efficient option because this method involves copying only the blocks of data that have changed since the last backup. This differential approach minimizes the amount of data transferred during a backup process, which is particularly useful when dealing with large datasets or files that do not change frequently.

Block-level backups significantly reduce the time and bandwidth required for data transfer, making them suitable for cloud environments where network resources may be limited or costly. Additionally, because only modified blocks are uploaded, the overall backup size is smaller compared to file-level approaches, allowing for quicker backups and potentially lower cloud storage costs.

On the other hand, while file-level backups copy entire files regardless of changes, this can lead to larger cumulative backup sizes and longer backup times, especially if only a few bytes within a file have been altered. Snapshot-level backups capture the state of the system or data at a specific point in time, which can be useful for system recovery but may not be as efficient if the objective is merely to back up files. Folder-level backups, similar to file-level, may not leverage the efficiency gained through block-level transfers for data that frequently undergoes minor updates.