What is failover in IT infrastructure?

Failover in IT infrastructure refers to the process where a secondary server seamlessly takes over when the primary server encounters a failure or is unavailable. This capability is essential for ensuring high availability and minimizing downtime in systems that require continuous operation. By implementing a failover mechanism, organizations can maintain service continuity and reduce the impact of disruptions, whether due to hardware malfunctions, power outages, or other unforeseen issues.

The significance of failover lies in its ability to automatically redirect workloads and operations to the backup system without manual intervention, which is crucial in environments where downtime can lead to significant losses or interruptions. By having a robust failover strategy, businesses enhance their resilience and ensure that critical applications remain accessible, contributing to overall operational stability.