Most business transactions are now online, so you can’t afford server downtime. When server downtime happens, there is a potential for data loss and cyberattacks that can cripple your business. Prevent these things from happening by investing in server redundancy. 

Read more about server redundancy and how you can benefit from it.  

What Is Server Redundancy? 

Server redundancy refers to the practice of using two or more servers in a computing infrastructure. This is basically to keep the hosted services live even when one server fails.  

Web server redundancy works by creating the main server’s clone that can be deployed on runtime. This clone, known as a redundant server, can be used for load balancing, backup, or even when you need to temporarily shut down the primary server for maintenance purposes.  

However, unlike the active server, the redundant server is kept offline until required (but remains connected to the network and is ready to be used at any time). 

Why Is It Important to Have Server Redundancy? 

It is incredibly important to have server redundancy if you want to have a stable web service or website because: 

  • It reduces the chances of facing downtime to a bare minimum and ensures high availability of critical data, whether in the case of cyberattacks or natural disasters. If one server goes down, the backup server can take up the slack; thus, enabling maximum uptime until the failed server is fixed.  
  • It supports the primary server when the traffic is unusually high. Too much traffic normally results in service inaccessibility. Hence, the redundant server takes on some strain, keeping the services and resources accessible.  
  • It features real-time system monitoring for possible failure, meaning you can always be aware of your server’s health.  
  • It increases your website’s performance and allows it to run faster because of the supplementary computing resources it makes available.  

How to Create Server Redundancy? 

Creating server redundancy on your own may be a little challenging, but it isn’t that difficult. Let’s look at some of the aspects that you need to consider while planning to create server redundancy in the current setup.  

Backup Copies 

Backups can be deployed for creating your data copies and storing them separately, allowing quick retrieval of the backup data in case of loss of data in the event of disasters.  

Redundant Disk Drives  

Redundant disk drives increase the number of hard drives used to save and access data; thus, enhancing performance. As mentioned previously, if a disk drive in the primary server fails, another drive can fill in immediately so that the server can keep running even when a single disk fails. 

Power Supplies 

When the redundant power supplies are deployed on critical servers, the spares will have the capacity to maintain your servers’ normal operation even if the main power supply goes down. 

Internet Connectivity 

Uninterrupted internet connectivity should always be available so that the primary server can always have an internet connection. It is essential to have a backup line of internet connection from a different telecom company so that even if one line fails or needs to go down for maintenance, traffic can be shifted onto the backup line. 

Significant Benefits of Server Redundancy 

Enhanced Performance  

With every additional server you include in your system, you will improve the resilience as well as the performance of your system. You can also make sure that the main server is supported in times of exceptionally high traffic.  

Instead of making your website suffer from poor performance because of the restricted amounts of resources, the additional server takes some strain off the primary one; thus, securing faster loading times for your hosted services and keeping all other activities from slowing down. 

Improved Resilience  

Server redundancy addresses resilience by providing additional resources that can be used in the event of failure and disasters. Most of the redundant servers have real-time monitoring features, with which they constantly scan your primary server cluster for potential failure and problems. Thus, preventing these failures and problems before they happen and maintaining your servers’ health. 

Load Balancing  

Server redundancy facilitates your hosting solution to distribute the incoming requests (coming from increased traffic) among various servers using load balancers. The result is improved reliability, optimized response time, and higher availability of your hosted services.  

In simpler terms, a load-balancing server impedes the traffic for a website and redirects it to other servers in the cluster. This proves to be helpful during rush hours, particularly if you’re running a business with multiple sites.  

READ: What Is Server Clustering and How Does It Work?

Reduced Downtime 

Whenever a disaster strikes and the server goes offline, redundant servers can access the critical data and maintain normal operations; thus, enabling maximum uptime. 

Even if your primary server needs to be shut down for maintenance purposes, a backup server can always fill in. Your system can still function using redundant servers while the IT department focuses on resolving the issue. 

Failover Protection 

Failover refers to the ability of a system to automatically switch to a reliable backup system during the failure of the primary system. However, this also comes in handy when a system needs to be shut down for maintenance.  

Failover protection is an important function for critical systems that need round-the-clock accessibility. If these systems suffer a hardware failure at any point in time, their failover functionality will ensure that the backup server takes over the hosted services immediately.  

Cloud vs. Physical Server Redundancy 

Although cloud and physical server redundancy serve the same purpose, there are significant differences between them. While physical server redundancy implies physical presence, cloud server redundancy implies moving past standard servers’ physical limitations. 

With physical disaster-recovery solutions, you’ll have to keep purchasing and installing new hardware or searching for suitable space to fit the new servers.  

Whereas with cloud-based server redundancy, all your data is stored safely on the cloud. So, if anything goes wrong with your main server, you will be able to restore your data easily and quickly from the web. 

Level up Your Website’s Performance 

Now that you know the difference between the two, it’s safe to say that cloud server hosting looks promising for your business. Aside from not having to worry about looking for a physical space for your server, you’ll also be able to restore data easily from the web without the unnecessary hassle.  

However, before deciding on cloud server hosting, make sure that you choose a reliable and reputable hosting provider like BigRock. We offer fully managed servers powered by advanced/Varnish caching that enables you to handle an increase in traffic on your website at faster speeds without any downtime. Moreover, we offer first-in-industry access to leading cPanel along with best-in-class cloud hosting services. Avail yourself of this solution now by contacting our representatives.