In the context of hybrid cloud architecture, what does 'failover' refer to?

In the context of hybrid cloud architecture, 'failover' refers to the process of automatically switching to a standby system when the primary system fails or becomes unavailable. This mechanism is crucial for maintaining high availability and minimizing downtime in critical applications and services.

When a failure in the primary system occurs, the failover system takes over seamlessly, ensuring that user requests can still be processed and that services remain operational. This is particularly important in hybrid cloud environments that combine on-premises resources with cloud resources, as it allows for flexibility and reliability in resource management.

Implementing failover systems can involve both hardware and software solutions, and it often necessitates careful planning to ensure data consistency and integrity during the transition from the primary to the backup system. This capability is essential for business continuity, making it a vital aspect of cloud architecture.