CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

What is a critical feature of the active-passive setup?

1. Both devices require user intervention

2. Constant communication between devices

3. Data is backed up manually

4. Only one device has power

The correct answer is: Constant communication between devices

In an active-passive setup, the critical feature is that it allows for seamless failover and redundancy, ensuring high availability. In this configuration, one device (the active one) is responsible for handling all the workloads, while the other device (the passive one) remains on standby. The key characteristic here is constant communication between the two devices. This enables the passive device to stay updated with the active device's state and configuration, allowing it to take over immediately if the active device fails. Such communication ensures that data is synchronized and that the passive device can provide a reliable backup. If a failure occurs, the passive device can quickly assume the active role without significant downtime, as it already has the necessary information to do so. In contrast, if the devices did not maintain constant communication, the passive device might not be prepared to take over, leading to potential data loss or extended downtime.