Integrated Modeling and Analysis of Fault-Tolerant Systems with Fault-Tolerant Software

摘要

Research aimed at improving the reliability of computer systems has been performed almost independently by a number of disciplines in the past. As a result, different modeling methods, nomenclature, and perspective have evolved within the various sub-disciplines. More significantly, optimum tradeoffs are not achieved during the design process. This research effort pulls together results and methodology from fault-tolerant architecture and fault-tolerant software to determine the effect of including software realities in system structural design decisions for reliability enhancement purposes. Specifically, projected software error rate data is incorporated in an analysis of fault-tolerant computer architecture assuming that multiple version software is available. Petri net-like models are investigated as a tool for performing integrated hardware/software system reliability and performance studies. (Author)