An automatic switching to a redundant or standby system when the primary system fails, commonly used in computing and telecommunications.
Compound word formed from 'fail' (from Old French 'faillir' meaning to be lacking) and 'over' in the sense of switching or turning over. The term emerged in the 1960s-70s with the development of computer systems that required continuous operation and backup procedures.
Failover represents one of engineering's most elegant concepts - the idea that failure can be planned for and gracefully handled rather than being catastrophic. It's a beautiful example of how technology mimics biological resilience, like how our bodies have backup systems for critical functions.
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