Hierarchical, object-oriented modeling of fault-tolerant computer systems

A hierarchical, object-oriented modeling language for the specification of dependability models for complex fault-tolerant computer systems is examined. The language incorporates the hierarchical notions of cluster, operational mode and configuration and borrows from object-oriented programming the concepts of class, parameterization, and instantiation. These features together result in a highly expressive environment allowing the concise specification of sophisticated dependability models for complex systems. In addition, the language supports the declaration of symmetries that systems may exhibit at levels higher than the component level. These symmetries can be used to automatically generate lumped state-level models of significantly reduced size in relation to the state-level models which would be generated from a flat, component-level description of the system