Network engineering is the process of planning, constructing, and managing networks to ensure that they are functioning as per the organization’s requirements.
Unlike IT administrators or network technician – who are responsible for day-to-day troubleshooting and IT tasks – network engineers have a more complex job that involves the improving and designing of a company’s IT networks.
Data Redundancy:
An important aspect of network engineering and business IT support services is data redundancy, which is introduced to enhance network reliability. Data redundancy involves storing the same bit of data in two or more places. The idea behind data redundancy is that, if one device stops functioning, the other can take over without any disruptions in the business operations. Basically, by increasing complexity, we are reducing the possibility of the entire network going down as a result of a failure.
However, the greater the complexity, the lesser the reliability. More complex systems are harder to understand, and, therefore, increase the chances of human error, and, by extension, of network failures.
Therefore, a network engineer’s job is to strike a balance between complexity and reliability.
Intentional vs. Unintentional Data Redundancy:
Data redundancy can either be accidental or intentional.
Accidental data redundancy is usually the result of inefficient coding or a complex process. On the other hand, intentional data redundancy is performed in order to ensure consistency and protect data.
If an organization is considering intentional data redundancy, it needs to have a central space or field for the data. This space will allow the easy updating of all redundant data records as and when required.
Benefits of Intentional Data Redundancy:
Intentional data redundancy has a range of benefits for the organization, which include:
1) Alternative methods of data backup:
When you create data backups, you are essentially creating encrypted and compressed data versions and storing them on a cloud or computer. Data redundancy gives an extra layer of protection by copying data on an additional system and thereby reinforcing the backup.
2) Increased Data Security:
Data inside a file storage system or database should be secure from threats such as data breaches or cyberattacks. When you have the same piece of data stored in multiple places, it gives you added security in case of a breach or cyberattack. You will be able to salvage precious time and money, as well as keep your reputation intact.
3) Quicker access to data:
With redundant data, employees can have easier access to important information since it is now available on multiple systems. Hence, data redundancy is specifically important for service-based organizations, since it leads to greater efficiency and promptness.
4) Increased reliability of data:
Organizations with data redundancy can double-check information to ensure that it is full and complete. This will help them deal with vendors, staff, and customers in a more effective manner.
Disadvantages of Unintentional Data Redundancy:
Although intentional redundancy of data can lead to a host of advantages for a company, it also leads to several negative drawbacks when the company is oblivious about redundant data:
1) Potential data inconsistency:
It is possible that the same data exists in multiple formats in multiple places. This often leads to data inconsistency and the company is forced to deal with irrelevant or unreliable data.
2) Increased instances of data corruption:
When data is damaged during writing, processing, storing, or reading, it is rendered corrupt. Th repetition of data fields in multiple storage systems or databases can lead to data corruption. There are multiple ways that data corruption can lead to reduced productivity. For instance, employees will be unable to gain access to corrupt files and, as a result, will struggle to complete their tasks on time.
3) Increased cost:
Unintentional data redundancy leads to unnecessary copies of the same piece of data, resulting in higher storage costs. For an organization looking to cut down on costs and increase profit margins, this can pose a real problem.
4) Greater database size:
Data redundancy creates a larger and more complex database – making it harder to manage and maintain. A larger database equates to greater load times and, once again, leads to an increase in the amount of time it will take employees to execute their tasks.
Examples and Applications of Efficient Data Redundancy:
Organizations such as real estate companies, home-improvement companies, and other companies concentrated on customer interaction have been able to create Customer Relationship Management (CRM) mechanisms.
By using managed IT support companies to integrate CRM with, say, an accounting software responsible for compiling customer financial data, these companies have been able to eliminate redundant manual data, paving the way for clearer and more meaningful insights as well as optimized customer service.
Database management systems are another good example of effective data redundancy. These management systems receive instructions from a database administrator, and accordingly change, load, or retrieve data. By sticking to the rules of normalization, these data management systems help reduce redundancy.
Database management systems have been successfully used by nursing homes, hospitals, and other entities related to healthcare, providing valuable information for doctors and other workers, such as a spike in denial claims or the success of certain medications.
Final Word:
To conclude, introducing data redundancy to your IT solutions can assist you in reducing downtime, and introducing prompt and efficient data-recovery mechanisms.
However, make sure that the benefits of data redundancy outweigh the cost and potential risks. If you want to learn more about data redundancy and how to implement it in your organization, please feel free to reach out to our IT support Las Vegas service.