A methodology and tool for measurement-based dependability evaluation of digital systems in critical applications

Presents an overview of a measurement-based methodology for dependability evaluation of critical digital systems and describes a software tool under development for it. The approach is based on measurements of operational systems and on dependability models to provide quantitative reliability and availability assessments with stated confidence levels. The methodology is described, and some of the lessons learned in its early use are discussed. The design of a software tool to implement the methodology is outlined and the current experience in applying the methodology is summarized.