Information Systems Reliability in Traditional Entropy and Novel Hierarchy

Abstract

The continuous progress of computing technologies increases the need for improved methods and tools for assessing the performance of information systems in terms of reliability, conformance, and quality of service. This paper presents an extension of Information Theory by introducing a novel hierarchy concept as a complement to the traditional entropy approach. The methodology adjustments are applied to a simulative numerical example for assessing the reliability of systems with different complexity and performance behavior.

Keywords

• information theory
• entropy
• hierarchy
• information system reliability