Explicating Fault Tolerance in Cloud Computing
Fault tolerance in cloud computing is about designing a blueprint for continuing the ongoing work whenever a few parts are down or unavailable. This helps the enterprises to evaluate their infrastructure needs and requirements, and provide services when the associated devices are unavailable due to some cause. It doesn’t mean that the alternate arrangement can provide 100% of the full service, but this concept keeps the system in running mode at a useable, and most importantly, at a reasonable level. This is important if the enterprises are to keep growing in a continuous mode and increase their productivity levels.
Main Concepts behind Fault Tolerance in Cloud Computing System
- Replication: The fault-tolerant system works on the concept of running several other replicates for each and every service. Thus, if one part of the system goes wrong, it has other instances that can be placed instead of it to keep it running. Take, for example, a database cluster that has 3 servers with the same information on each of them. All the actions like data insertion, updates, and deletion get written on each of them. The servers, which are redundant, would be in inactive mode unless and until any fault tolerance system doesn’t demand the availability of them.
- Redundancy: When any system part fails or moves towards a downstate, then it is important to have backup type systems. For example, a website program that has MS SQL as its database may fail in between due to some hardware fault. Then a new database has to be availed in the redundancy concept when the original is in offline mode. The server operates with the emergency database which comprises several redundant services within.
Techniques for Fault Tolerance in Cloud Computing
- All the services have to be given priority when designing a fault tolerance system. The database has to be given special preference because it powers several other units.
- After deciding the priorities, the enterprise has to work on the mock test. Take, for example, the enterprise has a forum website that enables users to log in and posts comments. When the authentication services fail due to some problem, the users will not be able to log in. Then, the forum becomes a read-only one and does not serve the purpose. But with the fault tolerant systems, remediation will be ensured and the user can search for information with minimal impact.
Major Attributes of Fault Tolerance in Cloud Computing
- None Point Failure: The concepts of redundancy and replication defines that fault tolerance can be had but with some minor impacts. If there isn’t even a single point failure then the system is not a fault tolerant one.
- Accept the Fault Isolation Concept: The fault occurrence has to be handled separately from other systems. This helps the enterprise to isolate it from the existing system failure.
Existence of Fault Tolerance in Cloud Computing
- System Failure: This may be either software or hardware issue. The software failure results in a system crash or hanging situation that may be due to stack overflow or other reasons. Any improper maintenance of the physical hardware machines will result in hardware system failure.
- Security Breach Occurrences: There are several reasons why fault tolerance occurs due to security failures. The hacking of the server negatively impacts the server and results in a data breach. Other reasons for the necessity of fault tolerance in the form of security breaches include ransomware, phishing, virus attack, etc.
Take-Home Points
Many-a-times, enterprises are caught unaware when there is a data leak case or system, network failures resulting in utter chaos, and lack of preparedness. Fault tolerance in cloud computing is a decisive concept that has to be understood beforehand. It is advised that all the enterprises actively pursue the matter of fault tolerance. If any enterprise has to be in a growing mode even when some kind of failure has occurred, then a fault tolerance system design is a necessity. Any hurdles should not impact the development of the enterprise especially while using cloud platforms.