Dependability of Computer Systems

Introduction
The purpose of this outline is to give you some idea of what 
Dependability of Computer Systems topic entails and what is 
required of you.

Overview
Performance, dependability, and cost of computer systems are main 
concerns of system designers. This topic aims at teaching how to 
design high dependable computer systems and how to evaluate their 
dependability. The contents include

* Fundamental Concepts
* Faults, Fault Manifestation, and Fault Models
* Dependability Techniques, including
    - fault detection
    - fault diagnosis
    - fault tolerance, and
    - error control
    - error recovery
* Testing Techniques, including
    - hardware testing techniques
    - software testing techniques
* Dependability Evaluation
    - evaluation criteria
    - software reliability models
    - combinatorial models
    - Markov modelling
At the end of the topic, you should understand all dependable 
techniques and be able to design a fault-tolerant system at the 
system level.

The prescribed book
D. P. Siewiorek and R. S. Swarz, Reliable Computer Systems: Design 
and Evaluation, 
Second edition, Burlington, Mass. Digital Press, 1992.

Background Knowledge Needed
In order to understand to contents entailed in this topic, the 
following knowledge at computer science undergraduate level is required.
* Basic probability
* Basic computer logic
* Basic organisation and architecture of computer systems
* Basic computer operating systems

Mark Allocations
The mark breakdown to exam and class work is 60% to 40%. The class mark 
is further broken down into 15% to 25% for assignments and labs. The 
assignments and assignment test will be used to check whether you have 
a good understanding of the basic concepts and techniques.
In the labs a software implemeted fault-tolerant system is expected to 
be build up using the basic concepts and techniques learnt in this topic.

Subminima
Remember that you must obtain at least a 40% subminimum for this topic. 
Failure to achieve this will result in failure overall. See the course
outline for more details.

Yinong Chen (yinong@cs.wits.ac.za) SH1016