What is redundancy?

Redundancy in computing refers to having multiple backup systems or components that can take over if the primary one fails. This ensures that services or systems remain available and operational even when something goes wrong.

 

Imagine a company with two internet connections. If one connection goes down, the other one can keep the business online without interruption. For example, a server might have two power supplies instead of just one. If one power supply fails, the other should take over seamlessly, without any interruption in service. Similarly, in a data center, redundancy might involve having multiple power supplies, fan systems, servers or storage systems so that if one fails, others can take over immediately. This minimizes downtime and ensures reliability and continuous availability of services.