levykuvatiedostomuotoja

Levykuvatiedostomuotoja refers to the various ways digital data from a storage device, such as a hard drive or SSD, can be captured and stored in a single file. These image files, often called disk images or drive images, contain an exact replica of the source media, including the file system, partition structure, boot sectors, and all data. This allows for precise duplication, backup, and forensic analysis.

Common formats exist for different purposes. Raw disk image formats, like .img, are sector-by-sector copies and are the most straightforward but can be very large, containing all empty space as well. More advanced formats like .dd, often used with the `dd` command in Unix-like systems, also create raw images.

Other formats offer compression and deduplication features to reduce file size. For example, Virtual Machine disk image formats such as VMDK (Virtual Machine Disk) and VHD (Virtual Hard Disk) are designed for virtualisation environments but can also be used for general disk imaging. These often support features like snapshots and differencing disks.

Tools like Clonezilla, Acronis True Image, and ddrescue utilize various proprietary or open-source levykuvatiedostomuotoja to create and manage these disk images. The choice of format depends on the intended use, whether it's for simple backup, cloning a system, or conducting digital investigations where data integrity and completeness are paramount. The process of creating a levykuvatiedostomuoto ensures that the data can be restored identically to its original state.