ABSTRACT
Dependability has long been an important issue for computer systems. While several dependability analysis tools have been produced, no effort has been made to automate the design for dependability. In this chapter we describe AS SURE, an automated design for dependability advisor in the MICON system1. A design for dependability methodology and a formal interface between Ml and ASSURE are presented. ASSURE’s operation includes dependability analysis, evaluation of dependability enhancement techniques using predictive estimation, and selection of a dependability technique. Different kinds of knowledge used in designing for dependability are identified, including an algorithmic approach for dependability analysis and a knowledge-based approach for suggesting depend ability enhancement techniques. Examples of designs produced using ASSURE as a dependability advisor are provided and show an order of magnitude de pendability improvement.
