Dolce Vita IT Solutions frequently implements redundant internet connections or Internet failover in a variety of businesses. These businesses typically place a high reliance on internet connections due to having a portion of their critical data or functionality hosted in the cloud. This need varies from cloud-hosted servers such as USSSignal or Microsoft Azure environments, to Sharepoint. It might also include cloud-hosted ERP (for manufacturing), patient records systems for clinics and hospitals, or appointment scheduling systems. Websites such as insurance and engineering systems might also be included as mission-critical. Using internet failover is inexpensive and ensures the business remains online even when a primary internet provider fails…just a few minutes of internet disruption can throw off schedules and workflows. Disruption of work flow for employees often means cashflow disruption.
Why Internet Downtime can be costly for any business environment
What can be the impacts of a single Internet outage?
- Inability to process client or patient payments
- Delayed or cancelled patient appointments
- Phone systems going offline
- Staff idle time + frustrated customers = reputation problems
Some businesses are simply highly dependent upon always-on connectivity during business hours, and chronic internet issues can really impact both reputation and cash flow.
What does “Internet Failover” Actually Mean?
- Two separate internet connections by two different providers (not just two modems)…often this can be LTE (cellular) failover
- This capability may be built into a firewall (i.e. DATTO), or a separate LTE modem (such as Cradlepoint) might be used. This does normally require minor firewall configuration changes
- Automated failover (i.e. no human interaction needed)
- Systems remain connected typically without restarting applications
- LTE failover is typically seamless to users
What does “Redundant Internet” Actually Mean?
Redundant internet can also mean secondary internet paths such as AT&T fiber as well as Cox fiber. These connections normally feed to either one or two firewalls. If the firewall(s) are properly configured, when an outage occurs, the firewall will automatically use the secondary circuit, again with typically seamless response for users.
Applicable Business Environments
Any business environment which is heavily reliant on cloud connectivity, and where the loss of internet has had a measurable impact are potentially good candidates for LTE-failover:
- calculate the financial cost of downtime based upon dollars per business hour for each facility
- track outage hours which occur on a by-facility basis, paying particular attention to those 2 or 3 groups which are most affected
- calculate the business outage cost for key affected groups and facilities
- prioritize these facilities for LTE failover
- Once implemented, use the same tracking standard to validate the positive impact of using LTE failover, and verify that it has resolved the outage issues
- Extend this approach as needed on a lost-revenue basis across the highest priority facilities
