Fundamentals of Reliability Engineering

Applications in Multistage Interconnection Networks

Indra Gunawan

• Publisher: Wiley-Scrivener
• Year: 2014
• Print ISBN: 9781118549568
• eBook ISBN: 9781118914380
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Computer Science
• Subtopic: Information Technology
• Index: Computer Science

Provides fundamentals of reliability engineering and illustrates practical applications in the area of parallel/distributed systems (Multistage Interconnection Networks)

The first part of the book (chapters 1–5) introduces the concept of reliability engineering, elements of probability theory, probability distributions, availability, and data analysis. The second part of the book (chapters 6–11) provides an overview of parallel/distributed computing, network design considerations, classification of multistage interconnection networks, network reliability evaluation methods, and reliability analysis of multistage interconnection networks including reliability prediction of distributed systems using Monte Carlo method.

Fundamentals of Reliability Engineering meets the increasing demand for knowledge tools that practicing reliability professionals can use to optimize their reliability decisions. Reliability prediction is important as it determines the usability and efficiency of the network to provide services. Reliability evaluation methods discussed in this book can be applied to analyze the reliability of any other systems. As an example, reliability analysis of distributed systems that consist of layers of switching elements connected together in a predefined topology that provide the connectivity between the set of processors and the set of memory modules, are presented.

Chapter 1

Introduction to Reliability Engineering

Reliability is defined as the probability that a system (part or component) can perform its intended task under specified conditions and time interval. It is used normally as the quantitative measure of the performance of a designed part, component or system. Reliability is also a design parameter which can be improved by design modification, redesign, elimination of deficiencies, and addition of redundant components or units.

The first part of this book (chapters 1–5) describes fundamentals of reliability engineering and the second part (chapters 6–11) presents reliability methods and its applications in Multistage Interconnection Networks (MIN). Chapter 9–11 discusses in details reliability analysis of network systems. Reliability of MIN is an important parameter that can be used as a measure on how reliable the interconnected components in network systems.

1.1 The Logic of Certainty

Event is a statement that can be true or false. “It may rain today” is not an event. According to our current state of knowledge, we may say that an event is true, false, or possible (uncertain). Eventually, an event will be either true or false.

Sample Space is the set of all possible outcomes of an experiment [1-4]. Each elementary outcome is represented by a sample point. Examples: there are six possible outcomes/numbers {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} from tossing a die; the failure time of a component is {0, ∞}. A collection of sample points is an event.

Indicator variables for events can be written in the following form. If an event i is true then X_i = 1 and if an event i is false then X_i = 0. Two basic operations, Union (OR) and Intersection (AND) are discussed.

1.2 Union (OR) operation

Suppose there are two events, A and B in the sample space. The equations below represent C as a union of the two events. X_C = 1 means that an event C is true when either event A or B is true.

(1.1)

(1.2)

(1.3)

Diagram Venn and fault tree for union (OR) operations are shown in Figure 1.1 below.

Figure 1.1 Diagram Venn and Fault Tree for Union (OR) Operation.

1.3 Intersection (AND) operation

The equations below represent C as an intersection of A and B. X_C = 1 means that an event C is true when both the events are true.

(1.4)

(1.5)

(1.6)

Diagram Venn and fault tree for intersection (AND) operations are shown in Figure 1.2 below.

Figure 1.2 Diagram Venn and Fault Tree for Intersection (AND) Operation.

In A and B are mutually exclusive events (t...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title page
• Title page
• Copyright page
• Preface
• Chapter 1: Introduction to Reliability Engineering
• Chapter 2: Elements of Probability Theory
• Chapter 3: Probability Distributions
• Chapter 4: Availability
• Chapter 5: Data Analysis
• Chapter 6: Introduction to Network Systems
• Chapter 7: Classification of Multistage Interconnection Networks
• Chapter 8: Network Reliability Evaluation Methods
• Chapter 9: Reliability Analysis of Multistage Interconnection Networks
• Chapter 10: Terminal Reliability Assessment of Gamma and Extra-Stage Gamma Networks
• Chapter 11: Reliability Prediction of Distributed Systems Using Monte Carlo Method
• Index