Which type of failure occurs when a single component's failure results in a total system shutdown?

The phenomenon described is known as a Single Point of Failure (SPOF). This term refers to a scenario in computer systems or networks where a single component's failure—such as a hardware part, a software application, or a network connection—leads to the failure of the entire system. In this context, if that one critical component ceases to function, it brings down the whole operation, indicating that there is no redundancy or backup in place to take over in case of that failure.

Understanding the significance of SPOFs is crucial in designing resilient systems. By identifying SPOFs, organizations can implement redundancy strategies, such as failover systems and load balancing, to mitigate risks associated with potential outages.

The other options represent different concepts. Non-Persistent Failure generally refers to temporary issues that self-resolve and do not require system shutdown. Redundant Failure typically involves scenarios where redundant systems fail simultaneously, which does not necessarily denote a single component's failure. Lastly, Complete Shutdown is a broad term that does not specifically address the underlying cause as effectively as the concept of a Single Point of Failure does.