How does Google Cloud define "high availability" in networking?

Google Cloud defines "high availability" in networking as the capability to ensure service continuity during failures. This concept is critical in network design as it aims to minimize downtime and ensure that services are consistently accessible to users, regardless of any potential errors or outages that might occur within the infrastructure.

High availability involves various strategies and methodologies, such as redundancy, backup systems, load balancing, and failover mechanisms. By implementing these techniques, networks can remain operational, and services can continue to be delivered even if certain components fail. This is essential for businesses that rely on continuous internet access and stable application performance.

The focus on service continuity is foundational to providing users with a reliable experience; without it, businesses could suffer significant revenue loss and damage to their reputation. Thus, ensuring that services remain active and accessible during disruptions is a key principle in designing robust network architectures.