Jarosław Sugier – författare

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.

The book consists of papers on selected topics of dependability analysis in computer systems and networks which were discussed during the 17th DepCoS-RELCOMEX conference held in Wrocław, Poland, from June 27th to July 1st, 2022. Their collection will be an interesting source material for scientists, researchers, practitioners and students who are dealing with design, analysis and engineering of computer systems and networks and must ensure their dependable operation.

Being probably the most complex technical systems ever engineered by man (and also, the most dynamically evolving ones), organization of contemporary computer systems and networks cannot be interpreted only as a structure built on the base of unreliable technical resources. Their evaluation must take into account a unique blend of interacting people, networks (together with mobile properties, cloud organization, Internet of Everything, etc.) and a large number of users dispersed geographically andconstantly producing an unconceivable number of applications. Research methods being continuously developed for dependability analyses apply newest results of artificial and computational intelligence. Selection of papers in this book illustrates broad range of topics, often multi-disciplinary, which is considered in present-day dependability explorations; it also reveals an increasing role of the latest methods based on machine/deep learning and neural networks in these studies.

The book includes papers about various problems of dependable operation of computer systems and networks, which were presented during the 18th DepCoS-RELCOMEX conference. Their collection can be an interesting source material for scientists, researchers, practitioners, and students who are dealing with design, analysis, and engineering of computer systems and networks and must ensure their dependable operation.

The increasing role of artificial intelligence algorithms and tools in modern information technology and computer engineering, especially rapid expansion of tools based on deep learning methods, calls for extending our view on system dependability. Selection of papers in these proceedings not only illustrates a wide-ranging variety of multidisciplinary topics which should be considered in this context but also proves that virtually all areas of contemporary computer systems and networks musttake into account an aspect of dependability.

This book presents a selection of papers about problems which arise in dependability studies of contemporary computer systems and networks. Their collection should be an interesting and inspiring source material for scientists, researchers, engineers, and students who must consider diverse dependability characteristics in design, analysis, or maintenance of computer systems and networks.

The papers were presented during the 19th DepCoS-RELCOMEX conference which was the next event in a series organized annually since 2006. Originating as a scientific platform for discussions of reliability aspects in computer engineering, the topical scope of the conference has been constantly expanded to incorporate new dependability challenges brought by recent advances in systems and information technologies. Currently, dependable operation in the context of computer processing means obtaining reliable (true and timely) results in the conditions of processing both quantitative and qualitative data, using precise or fuzzy (often: imitating) models and algorithms. With increasing use of artificial intelligence algorithms and tools, dependability in contemporary information technology and computer engineering calls for methods based on cognitive systems and deep learning techniques. Topical variety of the papers included in these proceedings proves that almost all applications of modern computer systems and networks must take into account the aspect of dependability and also illustrates a wide diversity of multidisciplinary subjects which needs to be considered in this context.

This book presents the proceedings of the Twentieth International Conference on Dependability of Computer Systems, showcasing recent advancements in this broad area. Contemporary computer systems and networks are the most complex structures ever engineered by man yet their reliable operation is paramount in today’s interconnected world. These systems form the backbone of almost every sector, from healthcare and finance to communication and transportation. Dependable systems ensure the seamless functioning of critical services, such as medical diagnostics, financial transactions, and emergency responses. This volume offers a selection of papers addressing challenges encountered in dependability studies of such systems. It can serve as an engaging and thought-provoking resource for scientists, researchers, engineers, and students who must tackle diverse dependability considerations in the design, analysis, or maintenance of contemporary computer systems. 

The 20th DepCoS-RELCOMEX conference marked yet another installment in a series of events held annually since 2006. Initially conceived as a platform for scholarly dialogue on reliability in computer engineering, the conference''s focus has continually evolved to encompass emerging challenges arising from advancements in information technologies and computer engineering. Today, dependable computer operations involve delivering accurate and timely results while processing both quantitative and qualitative data, utilizing precise or fuzzy models and algorithms. As Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Models become increasingly prominent, ensuring dependability in modern IT and computer engineering necessitates employing cognitive systems and deep learning methodologies. The diverse topics explored in the conference papers underscore how crucial dependability has become across all applications of contemporary computer systems and networks. They also highlight the multifaceted, interdisciplinary nature of subjects that must be addressed in this area. 

DepCoS – RELCOMEX is an annual series of conferences organized by Wrocław University of Technology to promote a comprehensive approach to evaluation of system performability which is now commonly called dependability. In contrast to classic analyses which were concentrated on reliability of technical resources and structures built from them, dependability is based on multi-disciplinary approach to theory, technology and maintenance of a system considered to be a multifaceted amalgamation of technical, information, organization, software and human (users, administrators, supervisors, etc.) resources. Diversity of processes being realized (data processing, system management, system monitoring, etc.), their concurrency and their reliance on in-system intelligence often severely impedes construction of strict mathematical models and calls for application of intelligent and soft computing methods.

This book presents the proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Dependability and Complex Systems DepCoS-RELCOMEX, which took place in Brunów Palace, Poland, from 30th June to 4th July, 2014. The articles selected for this volume illustrate the variety of topics that must be included in system dependability analysis: 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.

This monograph presents original research results on selected problems of dependability in contemporary Complex Information Systems (CIS). The ten chapters are concentrated around the following three aspects: methods for modelling of the system and its components, tasks – or in more generic and more adequate interpretation, functionalities – accomplished by the system and conditions for their correct realization in the dynamic operational environment. While the main focus is on theoretical advances and roadmaps for implementations of new technologies, a much needed forum for sharing of the best practices is also presented.

CIS systems, being the most complex yet most reliable technical structures engineered by man, present many challenges throughout their lifecycle. Difficulties in modelling, design, implementation and maintenance come not only from involved, widely distributed technical and organizational structures (comprising both hardware and software resources), but evenmore from complexity of the information processes (data processing, monitoring, resource allocation, dynamic reconfiguration, etc.) which are realized in the operational, often hostile environment. Furthermore, all the issues need to be dealt with taking into account a number of additional factors, such as uncertainties of human interactions, safety criteria and security demands or economic and environmental constrains.

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.

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 alsofrom 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.

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.