A team of recognized experts leads the way to dependable computing systems With computers and networks pervading every aspect of daily life, there is an ever-growing demand for dependability. In this unique resource, researchers and organizations will find the tools needed to identify and engage state-of-the-art approaches used for the specification, design, and assessment of dependable computer systems. The first part of the book addresses models and paradigms of dependable computing, and the second part deals with enabling technologies and applications. Tough issues in creating dependable computing systems are also tackled, including: * Verification techniques * Model-based evaluation * Adjudication and data fusion * Robust communications primitives * Fault tolerance * Middleware * Grid security * Dependability in IBM mainframes * Embedded software * Real-time systems Each chapter of this contributed work has been authored by a recognized expert. This is an excellent textbook for graduate and advanced undergraduate students in electrical engineering, computer engineering, and computer science, as well as a must-have reference that will help engineers, programmers, and technologists develop systems that are secure and reliable.

This book analyzes the causes of failures in computing systems, their consequences, as weIl as the existing solutions to manage them. The domain is tackled in a progressive and educational manner with two objectives: 1. The mastering of the basics of dependability domain at system level, that is to say independently ofthe technology used (hardware or software) and of the domain of application. 2. The understanding of the fundamental techniques available to prevent, to remove, to tolerate, and to forecast faults in hardware and software technologies. The first objective leads to the presentation of the general problem, the fault models and degradation mechanisms wh ich are at the origin of the failures, and finally the methods and techniques which permit the faults to be prevented, removed or tolerated. This study concerns logical systems in general, independently of the hardware and software technologies put in place. This knowledge is indispensable for two reasons: • A large part of a product' s development is independent of the technological means (expression of requirements, specification and most of the design stage). Very often, the development team does not possess this basic knowledge; hence, the dependability requirements are considered uniquely during the technological implementation. Such an approach is expensive and inefficient. Indeed, the removal of a preliminary design fault can be very difficult (if possible) if this fault is detected during the product's final testing.

This book presents selected papers from the Fifteenth International Conference on Dependability of Computer Systems (DepCoS-RELCOMEX), which illustrate the diversity of theoretical problems in analysis of performability, reliability and security of contemporary computer systems. Covering also methodologies and practical tools involved in this field, it is a valuable reference resource for scientists, researchers, practitioners and students who are dealing with these subjects. Established in 2006, DepCoS-RELCOMEX is an annual conference series organised by Wrocław University of Science and Technology. It focuses on the dependability and performability of contemporary computer systems – topics that can provide solutions to new challenges in evaluation of their reliability and efficiency. Since they are probably the most complex technical systems ever engineered by humans, the organization of modern computer systems cannot be modelled and analysed solely as structures (however complex and distributed) built only on the basis of technical resources. Instead they should be considered as a unique blend of interacting people (their needs and behaviours), networks (together with mobile properties, iCloud organisation, Internet of Everything) and a large number of users dispersed geographically and producing an unimaginable number of applications. This new, interdisciplinary approach is developing a continually increasing range of methods which apply also the latest findings in artificial intelligence (AI) and computational intelligence (CI).

Dependability analysis is the recent approach to performance evaluation of contemporary systems which tries to cope with new challenges that are brought with their unprecedented complexity, size and diversity. Especially in case of computer systems and networks such evaluation must be based on multidisciplinary approach to theory, technology, and maintenance of systems which operate in real (and very often unfriendly) environments. As opposed to “classic” reliability which focuses mainly on technical aspects of system functioning, dependability studies investigate the systems as multifaceted and sophisticated amalgamations of technical, information and also human resources. This monograph presents selected new developments in such areas of dependability research as mathematical models, evaluation of software, probabilistic assessment, methodologies, tools, and technologies. Intelligent and soft computing methods help to resolve fundamental problems of dependability analysis which are caused by the fact that in contemporary computer systems it is often difficult to find a relation between system elements and system events (the relation between reasons and results) and it is even more difficult to define strict mathematical models with “analytical” relationships between such phenomena.

This book contains papers on selected aspects of dependability analysis in computer systems and networks, which were chosen for discussion during the 16th DepCoS-RELCOMEX conference held in Wrocław, Poland, from June 28 to July 2, 2021. Their collection will be a valuable source material for scientists, researchers, practitioners and students who are dealing with design, analysis and engineering of computer systems and networks and must ensure their dependable operation. Being probably the most complex technical systems ever engineered by man (and also—the most dynamically evolving ones), organization of contemporary computer systems cannot be interpreted only as structures built on the basis of (unreliable) technical resources. Their evaluation must take into account a specific blend of interacting people (their needs and behaviours), networks (together with mobile properties, cloud organization, Internet of Everything, etc.) and a large number of users dispersed geographically and constantly producing an unconceivable number of applications. Ever-growing number of research methods being continuously developed for dependability analyses apply the newest techniques of artificial and computational intelligence. Selection of papers in these proceedings illustrates diversity of multi-disciplinary topics which are considered in present-day dependability explorations.

The book includes papers about various problems of dependable operation of computer systems and networks, which were presented during the 18th DepCoS-RELCOMEX conference. Their collection can be an interesting source material for scientists, researchers, practitioners, and students who are dealing with design, analysis, and engineering of computer systems and networks and must ensure their dependable operation. The increasing role of artificial intelligence algorithms and tools in modern information technology and computer engineering, especially rapid expansion of tools based on deep learning methods, calls for extending our view on system dependability. Selection of papers in these proceedings not only illustrates a wide-ranging variety of multidisciplinary topics which should be considered in this context but also proves that virtually all areas of contemporary computer systems and networks must take into account an aspect of dependability.

A comprehensive collection of benchmarks for measuring dependability in hardware-software systems As computer systems have become more complex and mission-critical, it is imperative for systems engineers and researchers to have metrics for a system's dependability, reliability, availability, and serviceability. Dependability benchmarks are useful for guiding development efforts for system providers, acquisition choices of system purchasers, and evaluations of new concepts by researchers in academia and industry. This book gathers together all dependability benchmarks developed to date by industry and academia and explains the various principles and concepts of dependability benchmarking. It collects the expert knowledge of DBench, a research project funded by the European Union, and the IFIP Special Interest Group on Dependability Benchmarking, to shed light on this important area. It also provides a large panorama of examples and recommendations for defining dependability benchmarks. Dependability Benchmarking for Computer Systems includes contributions from a credible mix of industrial and academic sources: IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Sun Microsystems, Critical Software, Carnegie Mellon University, LAAS-CNRS, Technical University of Valencia, University of Coimbra, and University of Illinois. It is an invaluable resource for engineers, researchers, system vendors, system purchasers, computer industry consultants, and system integrators.

Dependable Computing Covering dependability from software and hardware perspectives Dependable Computing: Design and Assessment looks at both the software and hardware aspects of dependability. This book: Provides an in-depth examination of dependability/fault tolerance topics Describes dependability taxonomy, and briefly contrasts classical techniques with their modern counterparts or extensions Walks up the system stack from the hardware logic via operating systems up to software applications with respect to how they are hardened for dependability Describes the use of measurement-based analysis of computing systems Illustrates technology through real-life applications Discusses security attacks and unique dependability requirements for emerging applications, e.g., smart electric power grids and cloud computing Finally, using critical societal applications such as autonomous vehicles, large-scale clouds, and engineering solutions for healthcare, the book illustrates the emerging challenges faced in making artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications dependable and trustworthy. This book is suitable for those studying in the fields of computer engineering and computer science. Professionals who are working within the new reality to ensure dependable computing will find helpful information to support their efforts. With the support of practical case studies and use cases from both academia and real-world deployments, the book provides a journey of developments that include the impact of artificial intelligence and machine learning on this ever-growing field. This book offers a single compendium that spans the myriad areas in which dependability has been applied, providing theoretical concepts and applied knowledge with content that will excite a beginner, and rigor that will satisfy an expert. Accompanying the book is an online repository of problem sets and solutions, as well as slides for instructors, that span the chapters of the book.

Fundamentals of Dependable Computing for Software Engineers presents the essential elements of computer system dependability. The book describes a comprehensive dependability-engineering process and explains the roles of software and software engineers in computer system dependability. Readers will learn:Why dependability mattersWhat it means for a