Optimum checkpoints with age dependent failures (Q1120989)

A method for obtaining the optimum checkpoint interval of a transaction processing computer system subject to time dependent failures is presented. The system uses check-pointing to create a valid system state, and roll-back in order to recover from failures. Maximizing system availability we derive the optimum checkpoint interval as a function of the load of the system and of the time dependent failure rate. The results are illustrated numerically for the Weibull failure rate.