What does 'Redundancy' mean in networking?

Redundancy in networking refers to the inclusion of additional or backup components to enhance the reliability and availability of network services. This concept is crucial in ensuring that if one element of the network fails—such as a server, router, or connection—there is another one ready to take over its role without interrupting the network service.

Implementing redundancy can involve having duplicate hardware, such as multiple servers or switches, and connections such as failover links that operate in parallel to maintain service continuity. This is especially important in critical network environments where uptime is essential, as it minimizes the risk of downtime and provides a safeguard against failures. Through redundancy, organizations can achieve higher levels of operational reliability and reduce the impact of potential outages on their services.

Other choices do not align with the concept of redundancy. Options discussing cable use, data compression, and encryption methods are unrelated to the principle of backup systems designed to improve network reliability.