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A switchover is a role reversal between the primary database and one of its standby databases. A switchover guarantees no data loss. This is typically done for planned maintenance of the primary system. During a switchover, the primary database transitions to a standby role, and the standby database transitions to the primary role. The transition occurs without having to reenable either database.
A failover is when the primary database (all instances of a RAC primary database) fails and one of the standby databases is transitioned to take over the primary role. Failover is performed only in the event of a catastrophic failure of the primary database, and there is no possibility of recovering the primary database in a timely manner. Failover may or may not result in data loss depending on the protection mode in effect at the time of the failover.
Swithover is a planned activity,convert the roles primary to sandby..NO impact of these actvity
Failover is unplanned activity ..impact is there databases level..
both switchover and failover provides maximum availability. The differences are the method on they will be used. Switchover is used to change the database role of the database whether it is primary or standby database. while failover is used to convert / change the failed primary database to a functional and operational standby database and the standby database will be the new operational primary database.
Switch over provides the maximum availability.
Failover provides the maximum availability. As for example when using Oracle data guard for maximum availability, failover option would convert/replace the failed primary standby database with the operational standby database
