Hello Sasha,
1)
The database system stores the data in the database in the data area. A complete data backup will backup the entire 'data area' of your MaxDB database instance. If the data area has been damaged, for example due to a hard disk error, you need data backups to restore the database instance.
2)
If you have a complete databackup taken using the MaxDB tools - you can install the same version of database software on a different machine and restore the data backup there to create a copy of your original instance there. In addition to the data backup, you may need backed-up log entries to restore the database instance to the desired state.
Also refer,
MaxDB Backup & Restore - http://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-7810
Creating a clone of MaxDB - http://wiki.sdn.sap.com/wiki/display/MaxDB/HowTo+-+Creating+a+clone+of+a+SAP+MaxDB+database
Creating a Database Copy - http://maxdb.sap.com/doc/7_7/44/d8a8c41c8a4427e10000000a155369/content.htm
Regards,
Yashwanth