# Overview

## Understanding replication <a href="#replication" id="replication"></a>

Data replication is the process of duplicating data between different storages using one or multiple backup plans. In **Xopero ONE**, replication plans enable replicating backups from one storage to another, across multiple locations, and between local storage and public clouds.

Including replication in a disaster recovery plan helps prevent data loss in critical scenarios such as storage corruption or malware attacks.

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To ensure business continuity, it is recommended to use the replication feature.
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The primary purpose of replication is to enable **Xopero ONE** users to implement the 3+2+1 backup rule and enhance data security.

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## Requirements

#### To create a replication plan, at least two storages are required:

1. **Source storage** — containing the data to be replicated.
2. **Target storage** — the destination where the data will be replicated.

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The target storage <mark style="color:$danger;">**must be empty**</mark> to be available in the replication window. If the selected storage already contains data, it will not appear in the list of available target storages.
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If you back up data locally and use **Xopero Cloud Storage** as the target storage in the replication plan, the 3+2+1 backup rule will be implemented automatically.
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