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Root Cause #014: Two Plugs

Root Cause / Episode 014 / Power redundancy

The rack has two power supplies. Brian and Patch follow the cords to see what happens if one source goes down.

Four-panel Root Cause comic. Brian and Patch trace two rack power cords to a single power strip. The Manager gives it a velvet-rope security perimeter.
Root Cause #014 · Another perfectly normal day in IT.
Panel 1. The Manager asks Brian about the rack’s power supplies.

Panel 01 / 04

Panel 2. Patch points out two separate cords at the rear of the rack.

Panel 02 / 04

Panel 3. Brian finds both cords connected to one power strip.

Panel 03 / 04

Panel 4. Brian stands guard by the power strip’s velvet-rope perimeter.

Panel 04 / 04

Read the transcript

Panel 1. The Manager and Brian stand beside the rear of a network rack. Manager: “If one power supply fails, will we stay online?” Brian: “Let’s follow both cords.”

Panel 2. Patch points out the two power supplies and their cyan and orange cords. Patch: “I’ve checked the back of the rack. Two power supplies. Two cords.”

Panel 3. Brian crouches beside a single power strip. The cyan and orange cords are both plugged into it. Brian: “They both feed from one power strip.”

Panel 4. Red velvet ropes surround the power strip. Brian stands guard in sunglasses while the Manager holds a clipboard. Manager: “Brian, you have the first watch.”

Meet the regulars

Brian

Solves infrastructure. Still waiting on requirements.

The Manager

Sees the possibility. Occasionally, the scope.

Patch

Helpful. Literal. Technically followed instructions.

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