ITPEC FE Morning October 2019 Question 14
When two computers have been prepared, and the computer in use fails, which of the following is the system that continues processing by promptly switching to the backup computer that has started the same online processing programs as those on the currently-used computer in advance, and is on standby?
Explanation
Hot standby system — the backup computer already runs the same online programs, so it can take over as soon as the active one fails.
In a duplex system one computer processes and the other stands by. How ready the standby is sets the switchover time. In hot standby it has started the same programs in advance and takes over promptly. In cold standby it is stopped or doing other work, such as batch jobs, and must first be started and loaded with the online programs.
Answer (b)
Why not others:
- •(a) Cold standby system — the backup does not have the online programs running, so switching over takes time
- •(c) Multiprocessor system — several processors share the processing of one system to raise performance; it is not a standby arrangement
- •(d) Multiuser system — many users share one computer at the same time; it says nothing about failover
Key rule: Hot, warm and cold standby differ in how much of the backup is already running: the more it runs, the shorter the outage at failover and the higher the cost.
System Component · AI-written, may contain errors
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