Question

A network engineer is optimizing an existing cloud-based system. The primary goal is to ensure the system remains operational, minimizing downtime, even under adverse conditions or potential failure points. What key characteristic of system design should the engineer prioritize?

Answer 1

The network engineer should prioritize **redundancy** in the system design. Redundancy involves incorporating multiple components or systems that can take over in case of a failure, ensuring that the system remains operational even when parts of it fail. This can include redundant servers, network paths, data storage, and power supplies.

Additionally, the engineer should also consider other related characteristics such as:

1. **Fault Tolerance**: Designing the system to continue operating correctly even in the presence of failures.
2. **High Availability**: Ensuring that the system is consistently operational and accessible, often achieved through clustering and load balancing techniques.
3. **Disaster Recovery**: Implementing backup and recovery processes to restore service quickly in case of a catastrophic failure.
4. **Scalability**: Ensuring that the system can handle increases in workload without degradation in performance.
5. **Monitoring and Alerting**: Setting up systems to continuously monitor operational status and alert administrators to potential issues.

By focusing on redundancy and these related aspects, the engineer can create a resilient cloud-based system that can minimize downtime and maintain operational integrity under adverse conditions.