The optimal system for series systems with mixed standby components

Abstract

Purpose

The main objective of this paper is to study the optimal system for series systems with mixed standby (including cold standby, warm standby and hot standby) components.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper deals with the reliability and availability characteristics of four different series system configurations. The failure time of the operative, hot standby and warm standby are assumed to be exponentially distributed with parameters λ, λ, and α respectively. The repair time distribution of each server is also exponentially distributed with parameter μ.

Findings

The mean time to failure, MTTF_i, and the steady‐state availability A_i(∞) for four configurations are examined and comparisons made. For all four configurations, the configurations are ranked based on: MTTF_i, A_i(∞), and C_i/B_i where B_i is either MTTF_i or A_i(∞). Obviously, the system with height MTTF_i and A_i(∞), do not need frequent maintenance, i.e. less maintenance.

Originality/value

Numerical results for the cost/benefit measure have been obtained for all configurations. It is interesting to note first that the optimal configuration using the cost/MTTF_i measure is configuration 4. Next the optimal configuration using the cost/A_i(∞) measure is configuration 2.

Citation

Salah EL‐Sherbeny, M. (2010), "The optimal system for series systems with mixed standby components", Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, Vol. 16 No. 3, pp. 319-334. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552511011072943