Network Redundancy
The Internet has been a lifeblood for businesses and it’s hard not to feel frustrated when your connection goes down suddenly. It may seem like these problems will go away if you just wait long enough, but in reality, they only get worse as more people rely on this service which causes even greater strain on its already struggling infrastructure due to increased demand levels from all corners.
The impact can be devastating: without a stable internet connection there’s no way anyone could work efficiently – let alone productively- so any business relying heavily upon digital means needs a reliable backup plan ready before anything else goes wrong.
In April 2022, Cincinnati Bell, one of the largest providers of internet services in the Cincinnati area, experienced a multi-hour internet outage. This outage left thousands of customers without service, and many took to social media to voice their frustration. Businesses were also affected, as many rely on Cincinnati Bell for their internet service.
What Causes Network Outages and What Can You Do About It?
Multiple factors can create an internet outage: from a simple power outage to more complicated issues with the internet service provider’s (ISP) equipment. In this case, Cincinnati Bell has not released any information about what caused the latest outage. While it is impossible to prevent all internet outages, there are steps that businesses can take to minimize the impact when they do occur.
- Have a backup plan for internet outages. This could include having a second ISP that can be used in case of an outage.
- Make sure that their employees are aware of the procedures to follow in case of an internet outage. Employees should know who to contact and what work tasks can still be completed offline.
- Monitor their internet usage and performance so that they can identify any potential problems before they cause an outage.
By taking these steps, businesses can minimize the impact of an internet outage and keep their operations running smoothly. When an ISP provider experiences an outage, the provider will work relentlessly to address the problem and prevent future issues, but businesses should always be prepared.
Downtime can be devastating for any organization. It costs money to bring systems back online, and once they’re up and running, lost sales of customers who were waiting on your business when it was down might make things worse instead of better! Ensuring there are network redundancies in place will prevent most downtime issues before they occur by providing extra protection against potential disasters.
What Is Network Redundancy?
Network redundancy is the practice of providing multiple paths for traffic so that data continues flowing even if there’s been a failure. Network redundancy helps with distributed site management and makes it easier to take over from failed devices or systems on your network. With a little complexity, businesses and organizations can ensure that their network will stay up and running in case something goes wrong.
There are many ways to achieve network redundancy. One common method is to use multiple routers connected to different internet service providers (ISPs). If one ISP experiences an outage, the other ISPs can keep the network running. Another common method is to use multiple switches in a network. This allows for continued networking even if one switch fails.
There are two main models that network redundancy can take:
- Active/Active: Both the primary and backup systems are active and processing data. If one system fails, the other system takes over without any interruption in service.
- Active/Passive: The primary system is active and processing data while the backup system is on standby. If the primary system fails, the backup system takes over.
Redundancy is important for any business that relies on a stable internet connection to function. By having redundant systems in place, businesses can avoid the costly downtime that can occur when their primary system fails.
How Can Your Cincinnati Business Achieve a Redundant Network Connection?
To achieve a redundant internet connection, you’ll need two separate physical internet connections from different ISPs. These can be either copper (DSL or cable) or fiber optic. You’ll also need a router that can load and balance traffic between the two internet connections. A load balancer is a device that efficiently distributes network traffic between the two internet connections.
By having a redundant internet connection, you can be sure that your business will always have an internet connection, even if one of the ISPs experiences an outage. While a redundant internet connection is not required for all businesses, it’s something to consider if your business relies heavily on the internet.
How Network Redundancy Can Make Cincinnati Businesses More Productive?
Cincinnati businesses that rely on the internet can avoid costly downtime by having redundant systems in place. By having a redundant internet connection, businesses can be sure that their business will always have an internet connection, even if one of the ISPs goes down. With greater availability comes increased productivity, which is why businesses should consider implementing redundant systems.
Below are five specific ways in which network redundancy can make Cincinnati businesses more productive:
- Increased Uptime: By having a redundant internet connection, businesses can be sure that their business will always have uptime, even if one of the ISPs experiences an outage.
- Businesses Can Continue Operating Even if There is an Outage: By having a redundant internet connection, businesses can continue operating even if one of the ISPs experiences a prolonged outage. This is because the other ISP will keep the business’s internet connection running.
- Improved Employee Productivity: With network redundancy, businesses can improve employee productivity. Employees will be able to work without interruption.
- Improved Customer Satisfaction: With a redundant internet connection, businesses can improve customer satisfaction. Customers will be able to access the business’s website or online services, even if one of the ISPs is in the middle of an outage.
- Cost Savings: By having a redundant internet connection, businesses can save money. Businesses will not have to pay for the downtime that can occur when their primary system fails.
If your business relies on a stable internet connection, you need to have network redundancy. This will ensure that your business can avoid costly downtime and be more productive. If you want to learn more about how your business can add an internet connection to its existing setup, contact 4BIS today and we will be in touch!