Redundancy (CloudMonk.io)

Redundancy

Redundancy in computing refers to the duplication of critical components or systems within a computer or network to ensure continued operation in the event of a failure. This concept is integral to system reliability and fault tolerance, particularly in mission-critical environments where downtime is unacceptable. Various forms of redundancy exist, including RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks), where data is distributed across multiple disks to prevent data loss in case of disk failure, and load balancing, which distributes workloads across redundant servers to prevent overload and ensure high availability. Redundancy can be implemented at different levels of a system, from hardware redundancy such as redundant power supplies and network connections to software redundancy through backup systems and failover mechanisms. While redundancy adds complexity and cost to a system, it provides an essential layer of protection against single points of failure, enhancing overall system resilience and uptime.