Dynamic fault-tree models for fault-tolerant computer systems

• Published in: IEEE transactions on reliability Vol. 41; no. 3; pp. 363 - 377
• Main Authors: Dugan, J.B., Bavuso, S.J., Boyd, M.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01-09-1992; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Subjects: Aerospace electronics; Application software; Applied sciences; Computer errors; Concurrent computing; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; Fault tolerant systems; Hardware; Hypercubes; NASA; Predictive models; Redundancy; Reliability; Software packages; Fault tree; Redundancy; Computer system; Reliability; Modeling; Recovery; Fault tolerant system
• ISSN: 0018-9529; 1558-1721
• DOI: 10.1109/24.159800

Reliability analysis of fault-tolerant computer systems for critical applications is complicated by several factors. Systems designed to achieve high levels of reliability frequently employ high levels of redundancy, dynamic redundancy management, and complex fault and error recovery techniques. This paper describes dynamic fault-tree modeling techniques for handling these difficulties. Three advanced fault-tolerant computer systems are described: a fault-tolerant parallel processor, a mission avionics system, and a fault-tolerant hypercube. Fault-tree models for their analysis are presented. HARP (Hybrid Automated Reliability Predictor) is a software package developed at Duke University and NASA Langley Research Center that can solve those fault-tree models.< >