Formal Specification of the Möbius Modeling Framework
Daniel D. Deavours · 2001
Modern computer and communication systems are becoming increasingly complex, and predicting the performance, dependability, and performability of such systems is challenging. A number of modeling formalisms have been developed to model certain types of systems, or aspects of a complex system, but no single formalism has proven to be ideal for all systems. Furthermore, no single way of solving models has been shown to be universally applicable and effective. We have developed Möbius to address these challenges. Möbius is a complete, coherent, and consistent framework for building a software tool for the performance and dependability evaluation of complex, discrete-event systems. Möbius allows modelers to create models using a variety of formalisms supported by the framework. Models, possibly expressed in different formalisms, can then be composed together to form larger models. This allows users to use the formalism best suited for modeling a portion of the overall model. Furthermore, formalisms used to compose models together can operate on models without knowledge of the formalism that was used to create the submodels. Finally, solvers interact with Möbius models, as opposed to formalism models. Careful use of “properties ” allows the application