Software reliability analysis with optimal release problems based on hazard rate model for an embedded OSS

An OSS (open source software) system is frequently applied as server use, instead of client use. Especially, embedded OSS systems have been gaining a lot of attention in the embedded system area, i.e., Android, BusyBox, TRON, etc. However, the poor handling of quality problem and customer support prohibit the progress of embedded OSS. Also, it is difficult for developers to assess the reliability and portability of embedded OSS on a single-board computer. We focus on software quality/reliability problems that can prohibit the progress of embedded OSS. In this paper, we propose a method of software reliability assessment based on a hazard rate model for the embedded OSS. In particular, we derive several assessment measures from the model. Also, we analyze actual software failure-occurrence time-interval data to show numerical examples of software reliability assessment for the embedded OSS. Moreover, we discuss the optimal software release problem for the porting-phase based on the total expected software maintenance cost.