Fault-tolerant system evaluation using the Rome Laboratory REST software

The capabilities, use, and validation of the reliability simulation tool (REST) software are described. REST uses Monte Carlo simulation techniques to evaluate mean-time-between-critical-failures (MTBCF), mean-time-to-repair (MTTR), reliability, and availability for complex fault tolerant systems. In order to validate the REST program, analytical results have been obtained from technical literature or developed using Markov evaluation techniques, and compared with those generated by the REST software. The authors present details concerning the inner mechanisms of the software, a description of how REST forms part of a larger facility, and example applications of REST to systems supported by Rome Laboratory