DEPENDABILITY MODELING FOR COMPUTER-SYSTEMS

This paper addresses computer system dependability analysis which ties together concepts such as reliability, maintainability and availability. Three classes of dependability measures are described: system availability, system reliability, and task completion. Using an illustrative example, measures within each class are defined, evaluated, and compared. Four types of dependability analyses are discussed: evaluation, sensitivity analysis, specification determination, and tradeoff analysis. The determination of the parameters, such as failure rates, coverage probabilities, repair rates, and reward rates is discussed, as well as model verification and validation.