On Evaluating the Performability of Degradable Computing Systems

  • Authors:
  • J. F. Meyer

  • Affiliations:
  • Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Computer and Communication Sciences, University of Michigan

  • Venue:
  • IEEE Transactions on Computers
  • Year:
  • 1980

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Abstract

If the performance of a computing system is "degradable," performance and reliability issues must be dealt with simultaneously in the process of evaluating system effectiveness. For this purpose, a unified measure, called "performability," is introduced and the foundations of performability modeling and evaluation are established. A critical step in the modeling process is the introduction of a "capability function" which relates low-level system behavior to user-oriented performance levels. A hierarchical modeling scheme is used to formulate the capability function and capability is used, in turn, to evaluate performability. These techniques are then illustrated for a specific application: the performability evaluation of an aircraft computer in the environment of an air transport mission.