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A Comprehensive Exploration of Challenges in Architecture-Based Reliability Estimation

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Architecting Dependable Systems VI

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNPSE,volume 5835))

Abstract

Architecture-based reliability estimation is challenging: modern software is complex with numerous factors affecting a system’s reliability. In this article, we address three core challenges for architecture-based estimation of a system’s reliability: (1) defining an appropriate failure model based on characteristics of the system being analyzed, (2) dealing with uncertainties of the reliability-related parameters, due to the lack of system implementation, and (3) overcoming the barriers of complexity and scale inherent in modern software. For each challenge, we identify the essential elements of the problem space, outline promising solutions, and illustrate the problems and solutions using a robotics case study. First, we show how a failure model can be derived from the system requirements and architecture. Second, we suggest how information sources available during architectural design can be combined to mitigate model parameter uncertainties. Third, we foresee hierarchical techniques as a promising way of improving the computational tractability of reliability models.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Computer Science Department, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA

    Ivo Krka, George Edwards, Leslie Cheung, Leana Golubchik & Nenad Medvidovic

Authors
  1. Ivo Krka
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  2. George Edwards
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  3. Leslie Cheung
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  4. Leana Golubchik
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  5. Nenad Medvidovic
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Computing Laboratory, Canterbury, University of Kent, CT2 7NF, Kent, UK

    Rogério de Lemos

  2. LAAS-CNRS, 7, avenue du Colonel Roche, 31077, Toulouse Cedex 4, France

    Jean-Charles Fabre

  3. School of Computing Science, Newcastle upon Tyne, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK

    Cristina Gacek

  4. Dipartimento di Informatica, Largo Pontecorvo 3c, Università di Pisa, 56127, Pisa, Italy

    Fabio Gadducci

  5. Istituto di Scienza e Tecnologie dell’Informazione (ISTI-CNR), Area della Ricerca di Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy

    Maurice ter Beek

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Krka, I., Edwards, G., Cheung, L., Golubchik, L., Medvidovic, N. (2009). A Comprehensive Exploration of Challenges in Architecture-Based Reliability Estimation. In: de Lemos, R., Fabre, JC., Gacek, C., Gadducci, F., ter Beek, M. (eds) Architecting Dependable Systems VI. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 5835. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-10248-6_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-10248-6_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-10247-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-10248-6

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

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