FT

Term from Virtualization industry explained for recruiters

FT (Fault Tolerance) is a crucial feature in computer systems that helps keep business applications running even when problems occur. Think of it like having a backup plan: if one part of the system fails, another takes over automatically, so the business doesn't experience any downtime. This is especially important in virtualized environments where multiple virtual machines (like separate computers running on one physical machine) need to keep working reliably. When you see "FT" in job descriptions, it usually refers to setting up and managing these failure-proof systems.

Examples in Resumes

Implemented FT solutions in VMware environment to ensure 99.99% uptime for critical business applications

Managed Fault Tolerance configurations for 200+ virtual machines

Designed and deployed FT architecture for healthcare systems requiring zero downtime

Typical job title: "Virtualization Engineers"

Also try searching for:

Systems Engineer Virtualization Specialist Cloud Infrastructure Engineer VMware Administrator Infrastructure Engineer Datacenter Engineer Cloud Reliability Engineer

Where to Find Virtualization Engineers

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you design a fault-tolerant infrastructure for a critical business application?

Expected Answer: Should explain in simple terms how they would create redundant systems, ensure automated failover, and maintain zero downtime, while considering budget and business requirements.

Q: What are the key considerations when implementing FT in a large enterprise environment?

Expected Answer: Should discuss factors like network requirements, storage considerations, hardware compatibility, and the impact on business operations and costs.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What's the difference between Fault Tolerance and High Availability?

Expected Answer: Should explain that FT provides continuous operation with zero downtime, while HA involves some minimal downtime during failover.

Q: How do you troubleshoot FT issues in a virtual environment?

Expected Answer: Should describe basic troubleshooting steps, including checking network connectivity, verifying hardware compatibility, and reviewing system logs.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is Fault Tolerance and why is it important?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that FT keeps systems running when problems occur and why this matters for businesses.

Q: What are the basic requirements for setting up FT?

Expected Answer: Should mention basic needs like compatible hardware, network requirements, and proper licensing.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic understanding of virtualization concepts
  • Familiarity with FT setup in VMware
  • Basic system monitoring
  • Understanding of backup systems

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Implementation of FT solutions
  • Troubleshooting FT issues
  • Performance monitoring
  • Disaster recovery planning

Senior (5+ years)

  • Enterprise-level FT architecture design
  • Complex environment management
  • Budget planning for FT solutions
  • Team leadership and project management

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No understanding of basic virtualization concepts
  • Lack of experience with major virtualization platforms
  • No knowledge of networking basics
  • Unable to explain different types of system failures and their solutions