If a backbone switch crashes, it will cause many LAN segments to lose service, not just
a single department. Organizations consider a variety of levels of redundancy for Layer
3 switches, including the following.
Purchase of a separate, duplicate switch that can take over if one fails.
Installation of redundant power supplies in the switch. (A power supply converts AC power to the low-voltage DC power required by computers.) Switches are inoperable if the power supply fails.
Installation of redundant CPUs within the switch.
Installation of redundant blades in the switch.
