Validating the dependability of embedded systems through fault injection by means of loadable kernel modules

The design of complex embedded systems deployed in safety-critical or mission-critical applications mandate the availability of methods for validating the system dependability across the whole design flow. In this paper we introduce a fault-injection approach based on loadable kernel modules which can be adopted as soon as a running prototype of the systems is available. Moreover, in order to decouple dependability analysis from the hardware availability, we propose to adopt hardware virtualization for building virtual prototype. Extensive experimental results are reported showing that dependability analyzes made using virtual prototype closely match those performed on physical prototypes.