Explain the principle of "fault tolerance" in system architecture and provide an example.
Question
Explain the principle of "fault tolerance" in system architecture and provide an example.
Solution
Fault tolerance in system architecture refers to the ability of a system to continue functioning in the event of partial system failure. This means that even if one part of the system fails, the rest of the system can continue to operate, possibly at a reduced level, rather than completely failing.
The principle of fault tolerance is based on redundancy, where critical components of a system are duplicated so that if one fails, the other can take over. This can be achieved through various methods such as hardware redundancy, software redundancy, information redundancy, and time redundancy.
Here's a step-by-step explanation:
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Redundancy: This is the key principle behind fault tolerance. By having backup components, a system can continue to operate even when parts of it fail. These backup components can be hardware, such as servers or hard drives, or they can be software, such as backup copies of data or software systems.
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Detection: The system must be able to detect when a failure has occurred. This can be done through various monitoring systems that keep track of the system's operation and performance.
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Correction: Once a failure is detected, the system must be able to correct it. This can involve switching to a backup component, repairing the failed component, or bypassing the failed component entirely.
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Recovery: After the failure has been corrected, the system must be able to recover and return to normal operation. This can involve restoring data from backups, restarting failed components, or reconfiguring the system to avoid future failures.
An example of fault tolerance in system architecture is a data center with multiple servers. If one server fails, the data center can switch to another server to continue providing services. This is possible because the data center has redundant servers that can take over when one fails. This ensures that the data center can continue to operate and provide services even when parts of it fail.
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