Failover
Failover is a backup system that automatically takes over when the main system stops working. Think of it like having a spare generator that kicks in during a power outage. In technology jobs, it's about making sure important services stay running even if something goes wrong. When you see this term in resumes or job descriptions, it means the person has experience making sure business systems don't have interruptions. You might also see it called "redundancy," "high availability," or "disaster recovery" - they're all about keeping systems running reliably.
Examples in Resumes
Designed and implemented Failover solutions for critical business systems
Set up Failover and High Availability infrastructure across multiple data centers
Managed Failover systems that reduced system downtime by 99%
Typical job title: "Network Engineers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Network Engineers
Online Communities
Professional Networks
Industry Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: Can you describe a complex failover solution you've implemented and what challenges you faced?
Expected Answer: Look for answers that show experience in planning and implementing large-scale backup systems, handling real emergencies, and making improvements based on lessons learned. They should mention how they considered business needs and budget constraints.
Q: How do you ensure failover systems are actually working as intended?
Expected Answer: The candidate should talk about regular testing procedures, monitoring systems, and how they make sure the backup systems can handle the full workload when needed. They should also mention documenting and training staff.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What considerations are important when setting up a failover system?
Expected Answer: They should mention things like how quickly the backup needs to take over, how much data can be lost, cost considerations, and making sure the backup system is strong enough to handle the work.
Q: What's the difference between cold, warm, and hot failover?
Expected Answer: Look for explanations in simple terms: cold being a complete backup that takes time to start, warm being partially ready, and hot being an exact copy running all the time. They should mention when each type makes sense to use.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is failover and why is it important?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that failover is a backup system that takes over when the main system fails, and why this matters for keeping business running. Basic understanding is sufficient.
Q: What basic steps would you take to test a failover system?
Expected Answer: Should describe simple testing procedures like checking if the backup system works, making sure it can handle the workload, and verifying that switching between systems works properly.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of backup systems
- Monitoring system health
- Following failover procedures
- Basic troubleshooting
Mid (2-5 years)
- Setting up failover systems
- Creating backup procedures
- Testing disaster recovery plans
- Documenting system configurations
Senior (5+ years)
- Designing complex backup solutions
- Leading disaster recovery planning
- Budget and resource planning
- Training and team leadership
Red Flags to Watch For
- No experience with backup systems
- Doesn't understand basic networking concepts
- No experience with emergency situations or outages
- Lack of knowledge about different types of failover solutions
- No experience with system monitoring tools
Related Terms
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