Analysis of computer system reliability and maintainability

Equipment failures on computer systems give rise to more interruptions to service and excessive periods of repair time than a user would expect. This paper examines theoretical and actual reliability and repair statistics, showing how the shortcomings are influenced by test techniques, maintenance engineers, application of the system and spares availability. Various reliability and maintainability parameters are derived from established computer systems, further developed for modern equipment and then considered in relation to the latest computers.