Checkpointing Strategies with Prediction Windows

This paper deals with the impact of fault prediction techniques on check pointing strategies. We consider fault-prediction systems that do not provide exact prediction dates, but instead time intervals during which faults are predicted to strike. These intervals dramatically complicate the analysis of the check pointing strategies. We propose a new approach based upon two periodic modes, a regular mode outside prediction windows, and a proactive mode inside prediction windows, whenever the size of these windows is large enough. We are able to compute the best period for any size of the prediction windows, thereby deriving the scheduling strategy that minimizes platform waste. In addition, the results of the analytical study are nicely corroborated by a comprehensive set of simulations, which demonstrate the validity of the model and the accuracy of the approach.