The Measurement and Statistical Modeling of Computer Reliability as Affected by System Activity
Edward J. McCluskey, Dorothy M. Andrews · 1985
This report describes the research performed during a three year study of computer reliability as affected by system activity. Data collected over an eight year period on three generations of computers was analyzed to determine what relationships exist between failures and activity. The activity included type of utilization, as well as amount of activity (or load) on the computer at time of failure. The failures included both software and hardware (transient, intermittent, and permanent). Another aspect of the research was an evaluation of the fault tolerance provided by the computer system as indicated by software error detection and recovery rates. A third major area of research was the development of a methodology for analysis of failure prediction data. Keywords: Reliability Modeling; Failure/Load Relationship; Failure Prediction; Fault Tolerance; Computer Utilization Rates; Error Detection; Error Correction.