Reliability Modeling and Analysis of Communication Networks

TL;DR

This paper reviews various modeling and analysis techniques for assessing the reliability of communication networks, emphasizing their importance for critical infrastructure and providing a comprehensive survey of existing methods.

Contribution

It offers the first in-depth review of reliability modeling and analysis techniques specifically applied to communication networks, including their advantages and limitations.

Findings

Provides background on modeling techniques like fault trees and Markov chains.

Evaluates pros and cons of different analysis approaches.

Surveys applications of reliability methods in communication networks.

Abstract

In recent times, the functioning of various aspects of modern society---ranging from the various infrastructural utilities such as electrical power, water to socio-economical aspects such as telecommunications, business, commerce, education---has become critically reliant on communication networks, and particularly on the Internet. With the migration of critical facilities to the Internet, it has become vitally important to ensure the reliability and availability of networks. In this paper, we study various modeling and analysis techniques that can aid in the study of reliability of communication networks. In this regard, we provide background on the modeling techniques (such as reliability block diagrams, fault trees, Markov chains, etc.) and analysis techniques (such as mathematical analytical methods, simulation methods, and formal methods). Apart from providing the necessary background, we also critically evaluate the pros and cons of different approaches, and provide a detailed survey of their applications in communication networks. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first in-depth review of the application of reliability modeling and analysis techniques in communication networks.