Redundancy, also known as resiliency, in a network provides a maximum level of network uptime. Redundant networks help to ensure high availability of critical applications to employees, partners and customers through an optimized network design.
By providing multiple pathways to your data, a redundant network eliminates single points of failure in the event that network equipment fails or becomes unavailable.
How Will Redundant Networking Solutions Benefit My Business?
A redundant network can help your company achieve multiple benefits, including:
- Multiple pathways to ensure application availability
- Maximum bandwidth utilization
- Improvement of disaster recovery posture
How Can I Help My Business Embrace Redundant Network Solutions?
When considering network redundancy solutions, it’s important to:
- Conduct a network audit. Inventory all hardware and software components within your company to identify missing product patches, multiple software versions, product end-of-life or end-of-support deadlines, and any factors that may indicate possible security risks or network performance issues.
- Perform a network assessment. A network assessment maps all network devices, links and protocols and provides a detailed view of the complete LAN and WAN design. It can identify critical network issues and provide a remediation to address them.
- Develop a strategic plan. Consider all of your company’s operational needs to ensure your redundant network has the flexibility to support future growth. Evaluate timelines, availability expectations, and prioritization of each project component.
What Comprises a Redundant Networking Solution?
Effective redundant network solutions utilize the following:
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Network Components
Network components such as routers, switches and chassis should include multiple points through which data can travel the network to users. Key components should be hot-swappable and redundant, and include modular software management support and upgrade paths.
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Load Balancing Software
Management tools can quickly identify and diagnose failed network connections from a central location, then repair and/or replace them without disruption to data availability. While it’s important to build multiple pathways for data, only by having visibility into the redundant network can you ensure that those pathways remain healthy and open.
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Voice and Data Services
Voice and data services provide connectivity between multiple sites and ensure that if one location is lost, users can still access data through other locations. They support wide area network (WAN) connections, and provide failover sites for disaster recovery.
Getting Started with Redundant Networking
Your CDW Canada Account Manager and certified specialists are ready to assist you with every phase of choosing and leveraging the right solution for your IT environment. Our approach includes:
- An initial discovery session to understand your goals, requirements and budget
- An assessment review of your existing environment and definition of project requirements
- Detailed vendor evaluations, recommendations, future design and proof of concept
- Procurement, configuration and deployment of the final solution
- Ongoing product life-cycle support
