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Internet Redundancy: Why Every Business Needs a Backup

Internet Redundancy: Why Every Business Needs a Backup Internet

Your business relies on internet service, but what happens if your network goes down? Even temporary outages can cost you. Besides lost sales and wasted employee time, a network outage could even damage your company’s reputation. Don’t let that happen!

If you use a VoIP phone system or need constant access to the cloud, then you also need a secondary internet connection as backup. If your customers can’t reach you, they might turn to a competitor or even leave a negative review on Google. Having more than one internet service provider could save the day.

Here’s what you need to know about internet redundancy and how it can benefit your business.

What Is Internet Redundancy?

Simply put, internet redundancy is a backup connection that runs on a different type of service from your primary internet connection. For example, if you primarily use a cable internet service, a fixed wireless service would be a good backup.

Internet redundancy gives you a fault-tolerant system. If one type of service goes down, you can just switch your connection over to your other supplier. The type of connection you choose as backup depends on your needs—each type has different pros and cons when it comes to speed and reliability.

Six Types of Internet Connection

1. DSL – This type of internet uses the copper wire in telephone landlines to provide connection through a Digital Subscriber Link. It replaced the original “dial-up” internet service, but with landlines being phased out, DSL technology may soon become obsolete as well.
2. Cable – Because cable internet relies on miles of cable lines (much like DSL) outages from weather, severed lines, and electrical issues are fairly common.
3. Fiber Optic – Fiber is 5 to 10 times faster than cable! This technology uses pulses of light to transmit data. If you need lightning-fast download speeds, fiber internet is a reliable solution. Fiber Internet: Does Your Business Need It? Additionally, considering the increasing demands of modern businesses for high-speed and reliable internet connectivity, investing in fiber internet could significantly boost your company’s productivity and competitiveness.
4. Satellite – Large antennas transmit a signal to satellites in space, which then relay the signal to your satellite internet dish. However, service can be disrupted by wind and weather or by obstructions like other buildings and large trees.
5. Wireless – Fixed wireless internet transmits data from one server to another via microwaves. There’s no need for cables or phone service, and there’s no limit on how much data it can send
6. BPL – Broadband over Power Lines is a new technology, so it isn’t available in very many places yet. However, with telephone lines being phased out, BPL may replace DSL entirely in the future.

Difference between Internet Redundancy and Network Redundancy

Network redundancy

Network redundancy is a process that involves providing multiple pathways for traffic so that data can continue to flow even in the event of a failure. This is achieved through a duplicated infrastructure where additional or alternate instances of network devices and connections are installed.

Network redundancy management is crucial in minimizing or preventing downtime if there’s a power outage, equipment failure, or other disruptions. It’s about ensuring that the network is designed to react and restore network services quickly after serious downtime

Internet redundancy

This refers to having multiple internet service providers (ISPs) or connections. The goal is to ensure continuous internet access even if one provider or connection fails. Internet redundancy, involving the use of redundant devices, is often part of a broader network redundancy strategy. This specifically focuses on maintaining internet connectivity (MHO Network).

In summary, while both concepts aim at maintaining uninterrupted service, network redundancy pertains to the entire network management. However, Internet redundancy specifically targets the continuity of internet service.

How to Implement Internet Redundancy

To implement internet redundancy effectively, businesses must take proactive steps to ensure uninterrupted connectivity and bolster their business continuity in terms of network redundancy devices.

First and foremost, identify and partner with multiple internet service providers (ISPs) to establish dual connections. This approach ensures that if one ISP experiences downtime or issues, the other device can seamlessly take over, maintaining a reliable connection.

Secondly, deploy failover systems that automatically switch to a backup internet connection when the primary link fails. These failover mechanisms provide swift and automatic transitions, minimizing downtime and potential disruptions.

Additionally, invest in redundant network device, such as routers and switches, to create a resilient infrastructure. Load balancing is another critical technique, distributing traffic across multiple connections to optimize internet utilization and enhance reliability.

Lastly, consider geographic redundancy by setting up connections in different locations to mitigate risks associated with regional disruptions. By incorporating these proactive measures, businesses can confidently establish internet redundancy and fortify their operations against unforeseen internet outages or disruptions.

What Does Internet Redundancy Do for My Business?

It’s a lot like having a backup generator when the power goes out. Internet redundancy protects your infrastructure and keeps your recovery business operations running if your main service has an outage. You can continue with business as usual, without interruptions or costly downtime.

Just like solar batteries or backup generators that keep the electricity running, you should include a backup internet connection in your disaster plan. Fixed wireless service can even keep your business running remotely. If anything ever goes wrong at your building, like a fire or a flood, you can still access your network wirelessly.

In short, internet redundancy is the backup you need to keep your internet access constant and avoid costly downtimes.

Types of Internet Redundancy Solutions

The realm of internet redundancy solutions offers various active approaches to safeguarding businesses against potential connectivity disruptions.

Dual Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Establishing connections with two separate ISPs ensures continuous internet access, as one ISP can seamlessly take over if the other experiences issues.

Failover Systems: Implementing failover mechanisms allows for automatic switching to a backup internet connection when the primary link fails, ensuring swift and uninterrupted access to online resources.

Redundant Network Hardware: Deploying duplicate network devices, such as routers and switches, minimizes single points of failure and enhances overall network reliability.

Load Balancing: Distributing internet traffic across multiple connections optimizes utilization and improves network stability, preventing overload on any single link.

Geographic Redundancy: Setting up connections in different locations reduces the impact of regional disruptions, providing an added layer of resilience for critical online operations.

By exploring and adopting these diverse internet redundancy solutions, businesses can fortify their connectivity and establish a robust foundation for seamless and uninterrupted operations.

The Cost of Internet Redundancy

The cost of internet redundancy varies depending on the specific terms solution that you choose. However, in general, network and internet redundancy is a relatively affordable way to protect your business from the financial and reputational risks of an internet outage.

For example, a dual internet provider solution can cost as little as $100 per month. This includes the cost of two internet connections, as well as the cost of a router that can be used to switch between the two connections in the event of an outage.

A more advanced solution, such as SD-WAN, can cost several thousand dollars per month. However, SD-WAN can offer a number of benefits over a dual internet provider solution, such as improved performance and reliability.

The cost of network and internet redundancy is a worthwhile investment for businesses of all sizes. By implementing network internet redundancy, you can protect your business from the financial and reputational risks of an internet outage

The Benefits of Internet Redundancy

Internet redundancy management can offer a number of benefits for businesses of all sizes. By implementing internet redundancy, businesses can protect themselves from the financial and reputational risks of an internet outage.

Here are some of the benefits of internet redundancy:

Increased uptime: Internet redundancy management can help to ensure that your business network is always online, even in the event of an internet outage. This can help to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty, and it can also protect your business network from financial losses.
Improved performance: SD-WAN and VPN solutions can help to improve the performance of your network connection. This can be especially beneficial for businesses that rely on the internet for mission-critical applications.
Increased security: Internet redundancy can help to improve the security of your network. By using a VPN, you can create a secure tunnel between two points, which can help to protect your data from unauthorized access.
Reduced costs: Internet redundancy can help to reduce the costs associated with a network internet outage. For example, if your business network is unable to operate during an internet outage, you may lose revenue and productivity. Internet redundancy can help to mitigate these losses by ensuring that your business network remains operational even in the event of an outage.
Improved compliance: Some industries, such as healthcare and financial services, are required to comply with regulations that mandate a certain level of uptime and reliability. Internet redundancy can help business network to comply with these regulations by ensuring that their internet connection is always available.

How to Test and Maintain Your Internet Redundancy Solution

Testing and maintaining your redundant internet solution is essential to ensure its reliability and effectiveness when it’s needed the most. Begin by conducting regular testing of failover mechanisms and redundant internet connections to verify that the backup systems kick in seamlessly in case of an internet outage.

This includes simulating various failure scenarios and monitoring the response of the redundancy setup. Routinely inspect and update network hardware, ensuring that all redundant components are in optimal working condition. Regularly assess the load balancing configuration to distribute internet traffic evenly and prevent overload on any particular connection.

Additionally, perform periodic geographic redundancy checks to confirm that connections in different locations are operational and capable of handling potential regional disruptions. Implementing a comprehensive maintenance schedule and conducting frequent drills will help identify and address any vulnerabilities in your internet redundancy solution, providing the peace of mind that your business can withstand unforeseen internet interruptions with confidence.

Future Trends in Internet Redundancy and Connectivity

As we look to the future, several trends are shaping the field of internet redundancy and connectivity. First, the deployment of 5G network is gaining momentum, promising faster speeds and lower latency. This advancement will significantly improve redundancy by offering alternative routes for data transmission, ensuring uninterrupted network internet connectivity. Second, the use of satellite network is on the rise, with companies like SpaceX deploying their Starlink constellation to provide global coverage.

This development is particularly beneficial for remote areas where traditional network internet access is challenging to establish. Lastly, edge computing is emerging as a critical component for data redundancy, allowing data storage and processing closer to the source, thus reducing the reliance on central servers. With these trends, we can expect a more resilient, efficient, and inclusive internet landscape in the future. Internet redundancy, involving the use of redundant devices, is often part of a broader network redundancy strategy. This specifically focuses on maintaining internet connectivity (MHO Network).