Affiliations: School of Computing Science Newcastle University
Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, U.K. E-mail: {maciej.koutny,brian.randell}@ncl.ac.uk
Abstract: This paper introduces the concept of a 'structured
occurrence net', which as its name indicates is based on that of an
'occurrence net', a well-established formalism for an
abstract record that represents causality and concurrency information
concerning a single execution of a system. Structured occurrence nets consist
of multiple occurrence nets, associated together by means of various types of
relationship, and are intended for recording or predicting, either the actual
behaviour of complex systems as they communicate and evolve, or evidence that
is being gathered and analysed concerning their alleged past behaviour. We
provide a formal basis for the new formalism and show how it can be used to
gain better understanding of complex fault-error-failure chains (i) among
co-existing communicating systems, (ii) between systems and their sub-systems,
and (iii) involving systems that are controlling, creating ormodifying other
systems. We then go on to discuss how, with appropriate tools support, perhaps
using extended versions of existing tools, structured occurrence nets could
form a basis for improved techniques of system failure prevention and analysis.
