Assessing the Performance of Networked Computer Based Systems

The Communication Networks have been mainly used for transferring data/command among systems and to provide centralized display of data in control room of Nuclear Power Plants. Data Communication Protocols have evolved in terms of speed, reliability and safety significance. Computer Based Systems plays an important role in ensuring safety of NPPs, it is necessary to address performance related issues in these protocols. The assessment of hardware systems is done in terms of MTBF/MTTR/Reliability and for software systems it is done based on the correct implementation of requirements. Reliability contribution from Communication network also is considered negligible. But there are many parameters related to communication network that can affect the plant safe operation. This paper describes the methodology for performance and reliability assessment of network computer based systems in Nuclear Power Plant.