Which of the following items should be redundant in a data center?

Redundancy in a data center is critical for ensuring high availability and reliability of services. Cooling systems are essential because data centers generate significant heat from the numerous servers and equipment running within them. If a cooling system fails, it can lead to overheating, which can cause hardware damage and system failures. Therefore, implementing redundant cooling systems enhances resilience, allowing one system to take over if another fails, thus maintaining optimal operating temperatures and preventing downtime.

While power distribution and power supplies also play critical roles in maintaining data center operations, it's essential to distinguish between different types. The outside power supply typically refers to electrical feeds coming from the utility provider, which are generally managed with generator backup systems rather than being made redundant in the same manner as internal systems. Inside power supplies, such as uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), indeed benefit from redundancy, but the question aims to identify the most crucial area for redundancy that directly impacts operational uptime in a data center.

In essence, maintaining redundant cooling systems in a data center is essential to prevent overheating and ensure continuous operation, making it a fundamental aspect of data center design.