Advances In Dependability Engineering Of Complex Systems

This book gathers the proceedings of the 2017 DepCoS-RELCOMEX, an annual conference series that has been organized by the Department of Computer Engineering at the Faculty of Electronics, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, since 2006. Its mission is to continue the heritage of the other two cycles of events – the RELCOMEX conferences (1977–89) and Microcomputer Schools (1985–95) – so this year we can celebrate the 40th anniversary of its origins. In contrast to those preceding series, which were focused on conventional reliability analysis, the goal of DepCoS is to promote a more comprehensive approach to system performability, which is now commonly called dependability. This innovative research area provides answers to the latest challenges in reliability evaluation for contemporary complex systems. Its novelty is based on a multi-disciplinary approach to system theory, technology and maintenance of systems operating in real environments. Dependability analyses concentrate on the efficient completion of tasks, services and jobs by a system considered as a combination of technical, information and human assets, in contrast to “classical” reliability, which is generally limited to the analysis of technical resources and associated components and structures. The selection of papers for this volume illustrates the diversity of topics that need to be considered, from mathematical models and design methodologies through software engineering and data security issues, to practical engineering problems in technical systems. In addition, this edition of the conference hosted the 7th CrISS-DESSERT Workshop, which was devoted to the analysis and assurance of safety and cyber security in critical infrastructure and computer systems.

These proceedings present the results of the Eleventh International Conference on Dependability and Complex Systems DepCoS-RELCOMEX which took place in a picturesque Brunów Palace in Poland from 27th June to 1st July, 2016. DepCoS-RELCOMEX is a series of international conferences organized annually by Department of Computer Engineering of Wrocław University of Science and Technology since 2006. The roots of the series go as far back as to the seventies of the previous century – the first RELCOMEX conference took place in 1977 – and now its main aim is to promote a multi-disciplinary approach to dependability problems in theory and engineering practice of complex systems. Complex systems, nowadays most often computer-based and distributed, are built upon a variety of technical, information, software and human resources. The challenges in their design, analysis and maintenance not only originate from the involved technical and organizational structures but also from the complexity of the information processes that must be efficiently executed in a diverse, often hostile operational environment. Traditional methods of reliability evaluation focused only on technical resources are usually insufficient in this context and more innovative, multidisciplinary methods of dependability analysis must be applied. The diversity of the topics which need to be considered is well illustrated by the selection of the submissions in these proceedings with their subjects ranging from mathematical models and design methodologies through software engineering and data security issues up to practical problems in technical, e.g. transportation, systems.

Building upon a long tradition of scientifi c conferences dealing with problems of reliability in technical systems, in 2006 Department of Computer Engineering at Wrocław University of Technology established DepCoS-RELCOMEX series of events in order to promote a comprehensive approach to evaluation of system performability which is now commonly called dependability. Contemporary complex systems integrate variety of technical, information, soft ware and human (users, administrators and management) resources. Their complexity comes not only from involved technical and organizational structures but mainly from complexity of information processes that must be implemented in specific operational environment (data processing, monitoring, management, etc.). In such a case traditional methods of reliability evaluation focused mainly on technical levels are insufficient and more innovative, multidisciplinary methods of dependability analysis must be applied. Selection of submissions for these proceedings exemplify diversity of topics that must be included in such analyses: tools, methodologies and standards for modelling, design and simulation of the systems, security and confidentiality in information processing, specific issues of heterogeneous, today often wireless, computer networks, or management of transportation networks. In addition, this edition of the conference hosted the 5th CrISS-DESSERT Workshop devoted to the problems of security and safety in critical information systems.

This book presents the proceedings of the Thirteenth International Conference on Dependability and Complex Systems (DepCoS-RELCOMEX), which took place in the Brunów Palace in Poland from 2nd to 6th July 2018. The conference has been organized at the Faculty of Electronics, Wrocław University of Science and Technology since 2006, and it continues the tradition of two other events: RELCOMEX (1977–89) and Microcomputer School (1985–95). The selection of papers in these proceedings illustrates the broad variety of topics that are investigated in dependability analyses of today’s complex systems. Dependability came naturally as a contemporary answer to new challenges in the reliability evaluation of these systems. Such systems cannot be considered only as structures (however complex and distributed) built on the basis of technical resources (hardware): their analysis must take into account a unique blend of interacting people (their needs and behaviours), networks (together with mobile properties, cloud-based systems) and a large number of users dispersed geographically and producing an unimaginable number of applications (working online). A growing number of research methods apply the latest advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and computational intelligence (CI). Today’s complex systems are really complex and are applied in numerous different fields of contemporary life.

Typical contemporary complex system is a multifaceted amalgamation of technical, information, organization, software and human (users, administrators and management) resources. Complexity of such a system comes not only from its involved technical and organizational structure but mainly from complexity of information processes that must be implemented in the operational environment (data processing, monitoring, management, etc.). In such case traditional methods of reliability analysis focused mainly on technical level are usually insufficient in performance evaluation and more innovative methods of dependability analysis must be applied which are based on multidisciplinary approach to theory, technology and maintenance of systems operating in real (and very often unfriendly) environments. This monograph presents selected new developments in such areas of dependability research as system modelling, tools and methodologies for system analysis, data security, secure system design and specific dependability aspects in specialized technical applications. Many practical cases illustrate the universal rule that complexity and multiplicity of system processes, their concurrency and their reliance on embedded intelligence (human and artificial) significantly impedes construction of strict mathematical models and calls for application of intelligent and soft computing methods.

This book presents papers on various problems of dependability in computer systems and networks that were discussed at the 14th DepCoS-RELCOMEX conference, in Brunów, Poland, from 1st to 5th July 2019. Discussing new ideas, research results and developments in the design, implementation, maintenance and analysis of complex computer systems, it is of interest to researchers and practitioners who are dealing with dependability issues in such systems. Dependability analysis came as a response to new challenges in the evaluation of contemporary complex systems, which should be considered as systems of people – with their needs and behaviours –interacting with technical communication channels (such as mobile activities, iCloud, Internet of Everything) and online applications, often operating in hostile environments. The diversity of topics covered, illustrates the variety of methods used in this area, often with the help of the latest results in artificial and computational intelligence.

This book presents selected papers from the Fifteenth International Conference on Dependability of Computer Systems (DepCoS-RELCOMEX), which illustrate the diversity of theoretical problems in analysis of performability, reliability and security of contemporary computer systems. Covering also methodologies and practical tools involved in this field, it is a valuable reference resource for scientists, researchers, practitioners and students who are dealing with these subjects. Established in 2006, DepCoS-RELCOMEX is an annual conference series organised by Wrocław University of Science and Technology. It focuses on the dependability and performability of contemporary computer systems – topics that can provide solutions to new challenges in evaluation of their reliability and efficiency. Since they are probably the most complex technical systems ever engineered by humans, the organization of modern computer systems cannot be modelled and analysed solely as structures (however complex and distributed) built only on the basis of technical resources. Instead they should be considered as a unique blend of interacting people (their needs and behaviours), networks (together with mobile properties, iCloud organisation, Internet of Everything) and a large number of users dispersed geographically and producing an unimaginable number of applications. This new, interdisciplinary approach is developing a continually increasing range of methods which apply also the latest findings in artificial intelligence (AI) and computational intelligence (CI).

Recent Advances in System Reliability Engineering describes and evaluates the latest tools, techniques, strategies, and methods in this topic for a variety of applications. Special emphasis is put on simulation and modelling technology which is growing in influence in industry, and presents challenges as well as opportunities to reliability and systems engineers. Several manufacturing engineering applications are addressed, making this a particularly valuable reference for readers in that sector. Contains comprehensive discussions on state-of-the-art tools, techniques, and strategies from industry Connects the latest academic research to applications in industry including system reliability, safety assessment, and preventive maintenance Gives an in-depth analysis of the benefits and applications of modelling and simulation to reliability