As an expert in the field of system reliability and redundancy, I can provide a comprehensive explanation of the term "N+1". The concept of N+1 is a fundamental principle in the design of high-reliability systems, particularly in the context of power supplies, computing clusters, and other critical infrastructure where failure can lead to significant downtime or loss of service. The "N" in "N+1" refers to the minimum number of components required to meet the operational needs of a system. For instance, if a system requires three power supplies to function properly, then "N" would be three. This number is determined by the specific requirements of the system and the workload it must support. The "+1" in "N+1" represents the redundancy factor. It signifies that there is an additional, independent component that serves as a backup in case any one of the primary components fails. This backup component is not used under normal operating conditions but is ready to take over immediately if a failure occurs. The purpose of this redundancy is to ensure that the system can continue to operate without interruption, even in the event of a component failure. The N+1 configuration is a popular choice for many systems because it provides a good balance between cost and reliability. By having one backup component for each primary component, the system can tolerate a single failure without impacting performance or availability. However, it is important to note that the N+1 model does not provide protection against multiple simultaneous failures. For systems that require even higher levels of reliability, more advanced redundancy models such as 2N or 2N+1 may be used. In addition to power supplies and computing clusters, the N+1 concept can also be applied to other areas of system design. For example, in telecommunications networks, N+1 redundancy can be used to ensure that there is always an alternate route for data to travel in case the primary route becomes unavailable. Similarly, in data storage systems, N+1 redundancy can be used to protect against the loss of data in the event of a disk drive failure. It's worth mentioning that while N+1 redundancy can greatly enhance the reliability of a system, it does come with some trade-offs. For one, it increases the cost of the system, as it requires additional components and potentially more complex infrastructure to manage the redundancy. Additionally, the implementation of N+1 redundancy requires careful planning and design to ensure that the backup components are properly integrated with the primary components and can take over seamlessly in the event of a failure. In conclusion, the N+1 redundancy model is a critical tool in the design of high-reliability systems. By providing an additional, independent backup component for each primary component, it allows the system to continue operating even if a failure occurs. While it does come with some trade-offs, the benefits of increased reliability and availability often make it a worthwhile investment for many applications. read more >>

At its most basic definition, N+1 simply means that there is a power backup in place should any single system component fail. The 'N' in this equation stands for the number of components necessary to run your system. The '+1' means there is one independent backup should a component of that system fail.Dec 12, 2012read more >>