Reliability of systems with Markov transfer of control

Software/hardware systems are considered which can be decomposed into a finite number of modules. It is assumed that control of the system is transferred among the modules according to a Markov process. Each module has an associated reliability which gives the probability that the module will operate correctly when called and will transfer control successfully when finished. The system will eventually either fail or complete its task successfully and enter a terminal state. The reliability of the system is studied in terms of the module reliabilities and the transition probabilities. Improved methods of predicting system reliability, allocating module reliability, and determining module sensitivity are developed. Special branching and sequential systems are studied in detail