Redundancy in computer networks is a way of eliminating downtime that brings business activities to a standstill or severely hampers operations. In essence, it provides backup systems that automatically kick in when things go wrong.
Under normal conditions, you would not need to use these features. They would, therefore, be considered “redundant,” but when you need them, they are there to keep the wheels turning. The network remains strong, and operations can continue as usual.
What Are the Different Types of Network Redundancy?
There are multiple ways of looking at network redundancy, and the network redundancy design you implement should be closely related to your context. Uninterrupted network service provision remains the overarching goal, and it is addressed in several different ways.
Hardware Redundancy
Hardware redundancy aims to produce a fault-tolerant system by ensuring there is backup hardware to take over from any network device that fails. Backup devices include servers, routers, and switches.
Power Redundancy
When the lights go out, so do computer networks – unless power redundancy is built into the system. Although the risk of power outages depends on your location, many organisations cannot afford to risk data loss or operational disruption. Power redundancy commonly takes the form of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), but backup generators could be necessary if you encounter an extended power outage.
Link Redundancy
Networks provide links that allow data to travel from one point to another. Link redundancy provides alternate routes for data to flow along, allowing operations to continue as normal even though data must follow a different route. Approaches include link aggregation or multi-chassis link aggregation that combines or distributes links to ensure network reliability.
Geographic Redundancy
This approach to network redundancy uses copies of entire systems placed at different geographical locations. If one were to fail, one of the duplicates takes over, ensuring continuous availability, even in severe disruptions like natural disasters.
ISP Redundancy
You rely on a primary internet service provider (ISP), but even the most reliable company can experience outages. If this were to occur, ISP redundancy automates a switchover to an alternative provider, overcoming the problem while your primary provider works on restoring its service.
Benefits of Redundancy in a Network
Obviously, keeping your organisation’s networks up and running no matter what occurs is an advantage. Apart from keeping everyone productive, it protects you from the reputational damage that downtime can do.
Whether it is fair or not, your clients will see your organisation as unreliable or inefficient if you cannot function because of a network failure. In certain contexts, continuous uptime is even more important. Consider the implications if people’s health, safety, or assets are at stake because of a network failure.
There are other benefits too. Redundancy can improve overall system performance through load balancing and allow you to scale your network or implement maintenance and upgrades without disrupting operations. Finally, if a disaster were to occur, redundancy can limit disruption and allow for fast recovery.
In short, investing in redundant networking is like an insurance policy. You may not need it most of the time, but it can help you recover from a bad situation and ultimately save you costs you can ill-afford to absorb.
Building Redundancy Into a Network
Network redundancy addresses risk, so the first step is to assess yours. Audit your network infrastructure to identify possible failure points, routing issues, and compatibility issues. Typically, implementing redundancy includes steps like:
- Establishing internet connections with more than one ISP.
- Deploying backup hardware that your system can instantly switch over to in the event of a failure.
- Installing backup power supplies to cover contingencies.
- Creating redundant data paths that can automatically adapt to circumstances.
- Using cloud services to benefit from their built-in redundancy features.
Reinforce your efforts with tests, simulations, and drills aimed at testing network resilience across a wide range of scenarios. Seek areas for improvement and ensure that your critical data flows will be uninterrupted, no matter what goes wrong.
Disasters That Network Redundancy Helps You Overcome
Redundancy, by definition, means having more than you need. However, in this context, having alternatives that are ordinarily redundant can be a lifeline that keeps operations going across a multitude of disaster scenarios. Examples include:
- Hardware failures, such as server malfunctions.
- Internet outages.
- Power failures.
- Cyber attacks, for example, DDoS attacks.
- Data centre outages.
- Natural disasters.
- Network traffic overloads.
- Software or firmware failures.
- Human error.
For organisations that rely on their networks for mission-critical activities, an investment in a resilient network becomes a necessity rather than a luxury. It protects you from costly downtime and unexpected disruptions, and ensures that essential systems continue to work even in what would otherwise be a crippling emergency.
Build Resilient Networks with Advantex
Network redundancy is only one element of network resilience, but it plays a leading role. Diversity, scalability, security, and adaptability complete the picture. With an industry-leading reputation as providers of network and IT infrastructure solutions, Advantex partners with you in the creation and maintenance of resilient networks.
Benefit from our expertise and experience across industries as well as our partnerships with some of the world’s best-known suppliers. From audits to upgrades and cyber security to infrastructure, you can rely on us for all your IT needs. Contact us today to find out more.
