On Modeling The Performance And Reliability Of Multi Mode Computer Systems

The authors present an effective technique for the combined performance and reliability analysis of multi-mode computer systems. A reward rate (or a performance level) is associated with each mode of operation. The switching between different modes is characterized by a continuous time Markov chain. Different types of service-interruption interactions (as a result of mode switching) are considered. The authors consider the execution time of a given job on such a system and derive the distribution of its completion time. A useful dual relationship, between the completion time of a given job and the accumulated reward up to a given job and the accumulated reward up to a given time, is noted. The authors demonstrate the use of their technique by means of a simple example. (Author).