Single Point of Failure
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The assessment of a single point of failure (SPOF) is a topic of networking in wired or wireless networks layout and in systems design. The aim is some highly reliable systems design.
The respective assessment of a potentially single location of failure identifies the critical components of a complex system, that would provoke a total systems failure in case of malfunction. Highly reliable systems may not rely on any such component.
The strategy to prevent from total systems failure is
- Reduced Complexity
Complex systems shall be designed according to principles decomposing complexity to the required level.
- Redundancy
Redundant Systems include a double instance for any critical component with an automatic and robust switch or handle to turn control over to the other well functioning unit
- Diversity
Diversity design is a special redundancy concept that cares for the doubling of functionality in completely different design setups of components to decrease the probability that redundant components might fail both at the same time under identical condition.
- Transparency
Whatever systems design will deliver, long term reliability is based on transparent and comprehensive documentation.
