Software for Reliability Testing of Computer Peripherals: A Case History

This article addresses: 1) the problem of inadequate software for the reliability testing of computer peripherals, and 2) the development and use of a software package specifically designed for reliability testing of disk drive peripherals. The software package enables one to carry out controlled reliability testing of disk drive peripherals. Necessary data for statistical calculation are available when needed and in the detail required. Non-drive errors can be isolated and not allowed to distort test results. The soundness of data collected allows for long-term testing under changing conditions to proceed with assurance of accuracy. Product reliability and thereby customer satisfaction can be more fully assured. The creation of the software also provided an outline of a sound methodology for future reliability software development. This methodology has continued to be employed within Intel and at a number of the vendors supplying Intel with disk drive peripherals.