Talk:Single point of failure

It's not just computers
Single points of failure are involved in every form of engineering, but this article only discusses it's relevance to computing. It needs to be expanded to describe it's relevance in other fields.Skrelk (talk) 06:24, 27 March 2011 (UTC)


 * Go for it. If you're only lightly familiar, you can at least make a stub section for the engineering context. --Tekhnofiend (talk) 14:53, 7 June 2012 (UTC)

"Single point of failure" is a concept that has more than just engineering and computing implications. It describes any system that depends on the reliability of a single component. As a human example, imagine a family environment where the husband is unhealthy and depends on his wife (the single component) for his daily health care. No other family or neighbor is readily available. If the wife fails in this situation - breaks a leg, has a stroke or heart attack - what happens to the husband?

This concept can apply to financial situations as well. Automated bill paying, for example, fails when the paycheck stops. Lack of an immediate replacement income stream brings financial ruin.

The term 'Single Point of Failure' is a concept with broad applicability, even though it was spawned by engineers. 71.197.176.136 (talk) 18:30, 24 February 2013 (UTC)

There will always be single points of failure
the page should mention that every system will have at least one single-point-of-failure, it cannot be eliminated. Worried that your calculator (ALU) might give the wrong answer? Get a redundant calculator (ALU) and make sure it agrees. If they disagree which do you believe? Better get a 3rd and let them vote, 2 out of 3! Who counts the votes? your new single point of failure, that's who. 2603:8001:D300:A631:0:0:0:10D0 (talk) 01:53, 29 August 2022 (UTC)