availabilitycentric

Availabilitycentric refers to a design and operational philosophy that prioritizes the continuous availability of a system or service above all other concerns. This means that the primary goal is to ensure that the system is accessible and functional to users at all times, minimizing downtime and disruptions.

Systems designed with an availabilitycentric approach often incorporate redundancy at multiple levels. This can include redundant hardware components, multiple data centers, and failover mechanisms that automatically switch to backup systems in the event of a failure. Network infrastructure is also designed for high availability, with redundant paths and load balancing to prevent single points of failure.

In practice, an availabilitycentric approach might involve rigorous testing and monitoring to detect and address potential issues before they impact users. It also often entails robust disaster recovery plans and business continuity strategies to ensure that operations can resume quickly after an unforeseen event. While this focus on availability can come with increased complexity and cost, it is crucial for mission-critical applications and services where any interruption can have significant consequences. The success of an availabilitycentric system is measured by its uptime percentage, often expressed as a number of nines (e.g., 99.999% availability).