The use of proof in diversity arguments

Authors
Citation
B. Littlewood, The use of proof in diversity arguments, IEEE SOFT E, 26(10), 2000, pp. 1022-1023
Citations number
7
Categorie Soggetti
Computer Science & Engineering
Journal title
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
ISSN journal
00985589 → ACNP
Volume
26
Issue
10
Year of publication
2000
Pages
1022 - 1023
Database
ISI
SICI code
0098-5589(200010)26:10<1022:TUOPID>2.0.ZU;2-8
Abstract
The limits to the reliability that can be claimed for a design-diverse faul t-tolerant system are mainly determined by the dependence that must be expe cted in the failure behaviours of the different versions: claims for indepe ndence between version failure processes are not believable. In this note w e examine a different approach, in which a simple secondary system is used as a back-up to a more complex primary. The secondary system is sufficientl y simple that claims for its perfection (with respect to design faults) are possible, but there is not complete certainty about such perfection. It is shown that assessment of the reliability of the overall fault-tolerant sys tem in this case may take advantage of claims for independence that are mor e plausible than those involved in design diversity.