In the dynamic landscape of a data center where vast amounts of data are continuously being processed, stored and transmitted, there are various risks and negative impacts of Downtime. It can stem from a wide range of factors, spanning from regular maintenance and equipment malfunctions to force majeure events like natural disasters, cyber attacks, and even human error. The ITIC Survey revealed that 40% of enterprises estimated the cost of one hour of downtime to be in the range of $1 million to over $5 million, excluding additional expenses like legal fees, fines, or penalties. Therefore, network redundancy can play a vital role in minimizing downtime and maintaining seamless connectivity.

Let’s now explore the network redundancy in a data center and its implications for your business.

Definition of Network Redundancy

Network redundancy is a principle for mitigating downtime arising from network failures. This involves incorporating duplicates in the network infrastructure such as alternative pathways, hardware and software that supports the primary network system. The main objective is to ensure business continuity in the event of unexpected power outages, hardware malfunctions, human errors, system failures, or even cyber attacks. 

In general there are two main forms of network redundancy, namely fault tolerance and high availability,

• Fault tolerance model utilizes fully redundant hardware whereby a full set of backup hardware is operating in tandem with the primary and will take over the network workload in the event of failure. 
• High availability model utilizes selective redundancy whereby a monitoring system is built into the network infrastructure with failover capacities that provides backup in the event of failure. 

Usually, the fault tolerance model is more costly than the high availability model but provides a higher degree of reliability. 

Redundancy in Data Centers 

Data centers minimize the potential of downtime by including redundancies into their infrastructure. This means duplicating critical components, such as UPS systems, cooling systems, and backup generators, to ensure uninterrupted data center operations even in the event of a component failure. While higher levels of redundancy offer better protection against downtime, designing a fully redundant system can be expensive and may not fit into every business  budget.

When it comes to data center redundancy, it’s important to ensure that specific components are protected first. Power supplies are among the most critical components to duplicate. Without Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) it’s impossible to operate your data center, regardless of what other systems you duplicate. In addition to UPS systems, you should also duplicate:

• Backup generators (in case of power outages)
• Cooling systems
• Individual servers (and their associated data)

In conclusion, network redundancy forms the backbone of reliable and resilient data centers. By incorporating redundant components, connections, and systems, data centers can mitigate the impact of network failures, ensure continuous operation, and maintain seamless connectivity for critical business operations. 

Our infrastructure at EDGE DC offers state-of-the-art data centers designed to empower your business with robust power infrastructure. Our 2N power resources ensure uninterrupted power supply, delivering superior reliability. By combining our reliable data center solutions with enhanced redundancy measures, we provide enhanced protection against downtime. Contact our dedicated team today to explore how your business can leverage these advantages and gain a competitive edge within your industry.