Comparing Availability of Various Rack Power Redundancy Configurations

Transfer switches and dual-path power distribution to IT equipment are used to enhance the availability of computing systems. Statistical availability analysis techniques suggest large differences in availability are expected between the various methods commonly employed. This paper examines various electrical architectures for redundancy that are implemented in today's mission-critical environments. The availability analyses of these various scenarios are then performed and the results are presented. The analysis identifies which approach provides the best overall performance, and how alternatives compare in performance and value.